Former Thai lawmaker sh00ts government official and confesses to it during a livestream on YouTube

A former Thai lawmaker has been arrested after allegedly shooting a local government official dead in the southern province of Nonthaburi before calling into a YouTube livestream to tell a political commentator what had happened. Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Reawraeng reportedly told host Anchalee Paireerak that he had shot Thongchai Yenprasert, a former police official, outside Thongchais office.Thongchai, who was shot in the neck, later died in hospital. His driver was also wounded after being shot in the arm and hand. Chalong was arrested and later allowed to speak to reporters at a police station, where he attempted to explain the circumstances surrounding the shooting.He claimed Thongchai was angry with him but did not explain the reason for the disagreement. Chalong also said he did not intend to shoot Thongchai, whom he described as a good friend. According to local media reports, the two men had been involved in a personal dispute.Chalong said he had approached Thongchai because he wanted to talk to him. He [Thongchai] then pushed me, saying I dont want to talk, I dont want to talk, he said. Chalong claimed he followed Thongchai towards his vehicle before the confrontation escalated.When I pulled the gun out, I didnt intend to shoot him. But then [Thongchais driver] pulled his gun out and pointed it at me, so I fired, he said. Thongchai, a retired police colonel, was serving as president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, a local government body.During Anchalees livestream, she was seen answering a phone call in the middle of her programme. Although viewers could not hear the caller, her reaction suggested she had received alarming information. Did he die? Did he die? You shot him in the head? You need to wait there for the cops, she said, according to footage seen by the BBC. Dont go anywhere.The shooting occurred just three days after a 14-year-old boy killed eight people at his home and school before taking his own life in Thailands worst mass shooting since 2022. The two incidents are not believed to be connected.The latest shooting is expected to intensify debate over gun control in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia. Following Fridays mass shooting, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered tougher enforcement of existing gun laws, including police checkpoints and increased controls on the possession, carrying and use of firearms.The post Former Thai lawmaker sh00ts government official and confesses to it during a livestream on YouTube appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.