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Thai Official Killed in Shooting at Government Building
Confirmed
In Short: A Thai official was killed and his driver wounded in a shooting at a government building in Nonthaburi province, days after a school shooting reignited gun control debates.
A Thai official, Thongchai Yenprasert, was killed and his driver wounded in a shooting at a government building in Nonthaburi province, which borders Bangkok. The alleged shooter, Chalong Reawraeng, a former MP, claims the incident was due to a disagreement over borrowed money.
Speaking at a press conference, Chalong stated that he had helped Thongchai in his real estate business and had to seek financial assistance from him due to high medical expenses. He also mentioned that Thongchai was angry at him, though he did not provide further details.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered tougher enforcement against gun carrying, and this latest shooting will further spur debate about gun control in the country, which has the highest rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia.
Thongchai, who joined the police force in 1984 and rose to become a prominent figure in Nonthaburi's political scene, later died of his wounds at Nonthaburi's Phra Nang Klao Hospital. His driver was shot in the right arm but successfully underwent surgery.
Background
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, and formerly known as Siam, is a country located in Mainland Southeast Asia. It shares land borders with Myanmar to the west and northwest, Laos to the east and northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said that legal action would be taken against Chalong without exception, local media reported.
- Thongchai joined the police force in 1984, and rose to become a prominent figure in Nonthaburi's political scene.
- As we reported earlier, the alleged shooter, Chalong Reawraeng, is a former MP for Nonthaburi, where today's incident took place.
- He said Thongchai's driver pulled his gun and pointed it at him, prompting him to fire.
- Speaking at a press conference from the police station where he is being held, Chalong said that Thongchai was angry at him, but he did not elaborate on the reason.
- Chalong said he had helped when Thongchai was in the real estate business and didn't have enough money.
- He spent so much on treatment that he had to approach Thongchai for financial help, Chalong said.
- Thai Premier Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered tougher enforcement against people carrying guns This latest shooting will further spur debate about gun control in Thailand, which has the highest rate of gun ownership…