Former Thai MP allegedly kills official — then confesses live on YouTube

A former Thai MP allegedly shot dead a senior local official near Bangkok before calling a political commentator during her YouTube livestream and apparently confessing to the killing — only for police to later allow the suspect to hold an extraordinary press conference while still at the station.

Shock shooting outside official’s office

Chalong Reawraeng, a former MP for Nonthaburi, allegedly shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a retired police colonel and president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, outside his office on Monday. Thongchai was shot in the neck and later died in hospital, while his driver was wounded in the arm and hand.

Chalong was arrested shortly afterwards but was then permitted to address reporters at the police station. Smoking a cigarette and speaking for more than six minutes, he attempted to explain the shooting and said he had not intended to kill Thongchai, whom he described as a “good friend”.

According to local media reports, the two men had been involved in a personal dispute. Chalong claimed Thongchai became angry when he approached him and refused to talk, before allegedly pushing him as he headed towards his car.

‘I didn’t intend to shoot him’

Chalong told reporters that he pulled out his gun but did not intend to fire. He claimed Thongchai’s driver then drew a weapon and pointed it at him, prompting him to shoot.

The bizarre treatment of the suspect immediately attracted political criticism. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose party Chalong previously belonged to, said it was shocking that an alleged killer had been allowed to appear before the media without handcuffs and behave as though the situation were normal.

“No matter who he is, he is now a murderer,” Anutin said, promising full legal action.

Provincial authorities defended the decision to let Chalong smoke and speak to journalists, saying he was under severe stress and his hands were shaking.

Confession during YouTube livestream

Even more extraordinary was Chalong’s earlier call to political commentator Anchalee Paireerak, who was broadcasting live on YouTube when he contacted her.

Viewers watched as Anchalee answered the phone and quickly realised something serious had happened. Her reaction suggested she had been told that Chalong had shot someone, and she urged him to remain at the scene and wait for police.

The killing comes just days after a separate mass shooting in Thailand in which a 14-year-old boy killed eight people before taking his own life. The incidents are not connected, but the latest shooting is likely to intensify pressure on the government to tighten Thailand’s gun laws. Anutin has already ordered tougher enforcement following Friday’s massacre, including increased police checkpoints and tighter controls on the possession, carrying and use of firearms.

SOURCE

Welcome back to the raving lunatic asylum of Thai news and it's inhabitants.

Where there's smoke....there's fire.

Better off "tightening" the enforcement of existing laws. That's always the issue. That and far stricter control over police issue firarms.