The chairman of the Administrative Organization of Nanmuang Province, Thailand, Thongchai Yenprasert, was shot to death on the morning of August 10. The shooter was Chalong Riewraeng, a former member of the provincial parliament. The suspect was later arrested, but was allowed to hold a press conference at the police station. Thai Prime Minister Anutin responded to the incident later that day, criticizing the police for handling the suspect improperly.
According to reports by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post and the BBC on the 10th, the incident occurred at around 11 a.m. local time on the 10th, at the administrative office building in Nakhon Ratchasamut. When Tongchai Yanbhaseth (71 years old, former police officer) was about to leave, Dachlong Rio Lang approached him and started shooting. Tongchai was shot in the neck and other areas. He was taken to the hospital but died there; his driver was also injured, but his condition is stable.
The police said that Chai Long admitted to shooting, claiming that the motive was a personal debt dispute (reportedly involving about 11 million Thai bahts). He stated that he had repeatedly asked Thongchai to repay the debt but was unsuccessful. When he went to confront Thongchai that day and was refused, he lost control of himself. Chai Long also called a political commentator who was live-streaming on YouTube after the incident, informing him that he had indeed shot.
After being arrested, Dachlong was taken to the Ladnat Be Police Station. There, he was allowed to hold a press conference to explain the situation to the media. During the press conference, Dachlong was not handcuffed and smoked in public. This scene was widely reported, leading to significant controversy and criticism. Public opinion questioned whether the police had given him special treatment.
Chai Long wasn’t handcuffed, and he was smoking in public. Reuters.
On the 10th, Thai Prime Minister Anutin criticized the way the police handled the situation, calling it ‘unacceptable’. He stated: ‘The offenders were not handcuffed, and yet they were able to hold press conferences, acting as if everything was normal… This should not be allowed.’
Anuiting emphasized that no special treatment should be given to the suspect, regardless of their identity. He stated, “No matter who he is, he is now a murderer,” and demanded that comprehensive legal action be taken against Chalong.
Anuting also stated that he has instructed the National Police Chief to reprimand the relevant local police officers and to ensure that the case is handled according to normal procedures.
Currently, the case is still under further investigation. The police stated that they will determine whether it was a premeditated homicide based on the evidence, and have opposed any bail applications. This incident occurred shortly after another school shooting incident happened in the same province, leading to renewed discussions about gun control in Thai society.
