A former Thai lawmaker, identified as Chalong Riewraeng, was arrested on Monday following a shooting at a government office located outside of Bangkok. The incident, which took place around 11 a.m. at the offices of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization, resulted in one fatality and left another person injured.
The victim was identified as Thongchai Yenprasert, the chief executive of the organization. Officials reported that he sustained critical wounds to his face and neck and subsequently died at a hospital. A second individual, identified as Thongchai's driver, was struck in the arm during the altercation and remains in stable condition.
Regional police commander Wattana Yeejeen stated that the suspect has admitted to the shooting, characterizing the motive as a personal dispute. Speaking to reporters at a local police station, Chalong explained that he had been arguing with Thongchai regarding money he had previously lent to the official. According to Chalong, he followed Thongchai to his vehicle before producing a weapon.
He claimed that he did not intend to kill Thongchai, but opened fire after the driver drew a gun and pointed it at him. "I wanted to apologize to the people of Nonthaburi," Chalong said. "I had no intention. We were friends and I thought we could talk it out, but he wouldn’t talk to me."
This violent event occurred just days after a separate, mass-casualty tragedy in the same province. On Friday, a 14-year-old student allegedly killed at least eight people in a shooting spree that spanned his home and the Debsirin Nonthaburi School before he apparently took his own life.
That attack claimed the lives of a 12-year-old schoolgirl and five school staff, as well as the boy's two grandparents at his family home.
Deputy regional police commander Atthapol Anusit noted that while a motive has not been finalized, the teenager appeared to face difficulties at school and within his family. Investigations into the student's electronic devices revealed a history of searching for firearms and exposure to violent social media content, and witnesses reported that the student had previously brought a BB gun to school.
Thailand maintains one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Asia. Data from 2017 indicated approximately 15.1 firearms per 100 people, significantly higher than regional neighbors like Malaysia. According to 2023 statistics from the World Population Review, the country recorded 3.49 deaths by firearm per 100,000 people.
While mass, indiscriminate shootings remain relatively rare, the nation has experienced an increase in high-profile gun violence, including an incident in February where a 17-year-old stole a police firearm and killed one person during a two-hour school siege in southern Thailand.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.