GRAPHIC: Disgruntled former MP shoots local council leader dead in gun rampage in Thailand

A disgruntled former MP shot a local council leader over an alleged debt dispute in another gun rampage in Thailand.

Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewraeng opened fire on Thongchai Yenprasert, 71, and his driver Yod at a government complex just outside Bangkok today.

Thongchai and his driver were seen on CCTV hurrying to a BMW parked near the Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) office before Chalong stopped the vehicle and signalled the PAO chief to roll down his window.

Shocking footage shows Chalong then producing a gun and opening fire on the former police colonel.

Terrified Yod scrambled out of the car but was also shot while fleeing.

Both men were rushed to Pranangklao Hospital with severe injuries. Thongchai was declared dead at around 2:38 pm local time.

During the shooting, Chalong reportedly called local TV anchor during a live broadcast, telling her he had just carried out a shooting with a 9mm pistol.

He claimed Thongchai owed him 11 million baht in campaign funds, which the deceased allegedly refused to pay.

He waited at the scene before police arrived to arrest him.

Speaking to police and reporters at a police station, the former politician said the dispute stemmed from Thongchai's debt.

He said: ‘I never thought I would find myself in this state, having to sit right here. In my entire life, I have never stepped foot inside a police station.

‘When Thongchai was in trouble, he called me to ask for money, 11 million baht for a single case, not to mention other cases of six million and 15 million baht.

‘Back then, I didn't think twice and helped out of friendship. I even helped him become a police colonel.

‘When I knew he was doing well financially, I called to say I had something to discuss and wanted his help, whether he could manage it or not, just to talk it over.

‘This was money that I had paid for him. I even gave him the MP position he asked for.'

Police Colonel Parit Chamroonsart, superintendent of Rattanathibet Police Station, said: 'The inquiry officer charged the suspect with intentional and premeditated murder based on the circumstances, as the suspect brought a firearm to the scene with a clear intention to commit the crime.'

Chalong was first elected as an MP in 1996 with the Thai Citizen Party.

In 2001, he moved to the Chart Pattana Party but lost the election to the Thai Rak Thai Party before joining the latter in 2005 and winning the election.

In 2007, he joined the Royal People Party and lost the election before moving to the Pheu Thai Party and becoming an MP for the third time in 2011.

He ran under the Palang Pracharath Party in 2019 and the Bhumjaithai Party in 2023 but lost on both occasions.

Chalong also previously held several political positions, including serving as a member of the Nonthaburi Municipality Council, an adviser to the Minister of Interior, and an adviser to the Minister of Labour.

The incident came just days after a horrific school shooting outside Bangkok on Friday, August 7.

A 14-year-old student killed his grandparents, followed by six others at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

Investigators said they were examining a combination of possible factors, including family problems, school pressure, friendships and exposure to violent content online.

Thailand has a tragic history of school shootings, with firearms widely available from both shops and on the black market.

Though Thai authorities have vowed to tighten gun control, there are around four million unregistered guns, often smuggled from war-torn countries, in circulation, the Ministry of Interior said in 2023.