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A former Thai lawmaker was taken into custody Monday after allegedly shooting a local government official and the official’s driver, according to police reports.
Chalong Riewrang was arrested and brought to a police station, said Nonthaburi police chief Dejrapee Kongdee. Authorities are currently investigating Chalong’s motive behind the incident.
Both victims are receiving medical treatment, with the chairman of the Nonthaburi local government administration reported to be in serious condition. The driver’s condition has not been disclosed, and police have not confirmed any fatalities at this time.
While local media have speculated that the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute, the police chief refrained from commenting further.
In a startling turn, Chalong reportedly called a political commentator who was livestreaming on YouTube during the incident and admitted to carrying out the attack. The commentator, former journalist Anchalee Paireerak, appeared visibly shocked and urged him to wait for the police.
Chalong previously served as a member of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s political party.
This event follows a tragic shooting last Friday in Nonthaburi, where a 14-year-old boy killed his grandparents and at least six others at his school before taking his own life. The incident has intensified calls for stricter gun control measures in Thailand, a country with one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region-an estimated 10 million firearms, or about one per seven people.
Despite repeated promises from officials to tighten gun laws in the wake of such tragedies, effective reforms have yet to materialize.