A former Thai MP allegedly shot dead a local official in the southern province of Nonthaburi, then dialled into a YouTube livestream to inform the host – a political pundit – of what he had done.
Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Reawraeng told the shocked host, Anchalee Paireerak, that he had shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a former police official, outside Thongchai’s office.
Thongchai, who was hit in the neck, died in hospital. His driver was shot in the arm and hand.
Chalong was arrested but then allowed to hold a press conference at a police station where he attempted to explain what had happened while smoking a cigarette.
He told the reporters there that Thongchai was “angry” at him, but did not explain why. He also said he did not intend to shoot Thongchai, whom he described as a “good friend”.
Chalong said he told Thongchai that he wanted to talk to him. According to local media reports, 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 then followed Thongchai towards 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.”
Thongchai, a retired police colonel, was president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation or PAO, a local government body.
