A former Thai MP allegedly shot dead a local official in the southern province of Nonthaburi before dialling into a YouTube livestream to inform the host,a political pundit—of the incident. Chalong Reawraeng, the former MP, told the shocked host, Anchalee Paireerak, that he had shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a former police official, outside Thongchai’s office.

Details of the Shooting and Livestream Confession

Thongchai, who was hit in the neck, died in hospital. His driver was shot in the arm and hand. Chalong was arrested but was allowed to hold a press conference at a police station, where he attempted to explain the incident while smoking a cigarette.

During the press conference, Chalong told reporters that Thongchai was “angry” at him, but he did not explain the reason. He also said he did not intend to shoot Thongchai, whom he described as a “good friend.”

Chalong claimed he told Thongchai that he wanted to talk to him. Local media reported that the two were involved in a personal dispute. “He [Thongchai] then pushed me, saying, ‘I don’t want to talk, I don’t want to talk.’”

Chalong said he followed Thongchai toward his car. “When I pulled the gun out, I didn’t intend to shoot him. But then [Thongchai’s driver] pulled his gun out and pointed it at me, so I fired.”

Context of the Shooting and Political Background

Thongchai, a retired police colonel, was president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), a local government body. Prior to the shooting, Chalong had called political commentator Anchalee Paireerak, who was livestreaming on YouTube at the time, to confess to the incident.

Anchalee was filmed picking up a call midway through her programme. “I’ll call you back… Oh, something big [happened]? Go ahead, what’s that?” she said. Viewers could not hear what the caller said next, but Anchalee was seen reacting in shock.

“Did he die? Did he die? You shot him in the head? You need to wait there for the cops,” she said on the video, which was seen by the BBC. “Don’t go anywhere.”

Broader Implications for Gun Control in Thailand

Monday’s shooting came three days after a 14-year-old boy shot dead eight people at his home and school before killing himself, marking Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022. The two attacks are not related.

The latest incident will further spur debate about gun control in Thailand, a country with the highest rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia. After Friday’s school shooting, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered stricter enforcement of gun laws and said police would set up checkpoints as part of a enforcement action. Additional measures included tightening controls on the possession, carrying, and use of firearms.