The mayor of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, was shot dead at the PAO office compound this morning, allegedly by former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewraeng over an 11-million-baht debt.
His driver was also shot and seriously injured.
Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert
After the shooting in broad daylight, Chalong called Anchalee Paireerak, host of the Naew Na online talk show, to tell her that he had just shot the PAO mayor. He claimed that he had gone to see Thongchai to demand repayment of the debt but was refused.
Chalong said he and Thongchai had been friends for a long time and that he had helped him financially. He added that he had helped fund the election campaign of Thongchai’s candidate and decided not to contest the election himself.
The former MP said he was facing financial problems and needed money to cover his medical expenses. He said he had demanded the return of the 11 million baht he had lent Thongchai several years ago, but Thongchai refused, claiming that there was no debt to be settled.
Chalong said this was the last straw that drove him to shoot the mayor at his office. He admitted firing four or five shots at Thongchai with a 9mm handgun.
During her livestream, Anchalee urged Chalong to calm down, put down his handgun and remove the magazine before waiting for police to arrive.
Police took the former MP to Rattanathibet police station, where he was questioned by a team of investigators led by Pol Lt Gen Wattana Yeejin, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1.
Nonthaburi Governor Chettha Mosikkarat told the media that he knew both Chalong and Thongchai and that Chalong had admitted shooting the mayor over a personal dispute.
Meanwhile, Traisuree Traisoranakul, secretary-general to the prime minister, said Chalong contested the 2023 election under the Bhumjaithai Party banner but lost and left the party a year later.
