Former Thai MP Confesses on YouTube After Allegedly Killing Official

A former Member of Parliament in Thailand has allegedly shot and killed a local official in Nonthaburi province, later confessing to the act during a YouTube livestream. The ex-MP, identified as Chalong Reawraeng, contacted a political pundit, Anchalee Paireerak, who was broadcasting live, to report that he had shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a former police official.

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I'll call you back... Oh, something big [happened]? Go ahead, what's that?

Yenprasert, struck in the neck, died in the hospital. His driver sustained injuries to his arm and hand. Reawraeng was apprehended by authorities. During a press conference at a police station, while smoking a cigarette, he attempted to explain the events. He stated that Yenprasert was "angry" at him but did not elaborate on the reason for the anger. Reawraeng also claimed he did not intend to shoot Yenprasert, whom he described as a "good friend."

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Did he die? Did he die? You shot him in the head? You need to wait there for the cops. Don't go anywhere.

Reawraeng recounted that he wanted to speak with Yenprasert, but the official became agitated. Local media reports suggest a personal dispute between the two. "He [Thongchai] then pushed me, saying 'I don't want to talk, I don't want to talk,'" Reawraeng said. He then followed Yenprasert 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."

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He [Thongchai] then pushed me, saying 'I don't want to talk, I don't want to talk.'

Yenprasert, a retired police colonel, served as the president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation. The shooting follows closely on the heels of a tragic mass shooting where a 14-year-old boy killed eight people before taking his own life. While unrelated, the two incidents are expected to intensify discussions surrounding gun control in Thailand, a country with the highest rate of gun ownership in Southeast Asia by a significant margin. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered stricter enforcement of gun laws and proposed measures such as checkpoints and tighter controls on firearm possession and use.

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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.