NONTHABURI, THAILAND – Former MP Chalong Riewraeng was arrested Monday morning for murdering the president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organization, Thongchai Yenprasert, in his office.
Police said Chalong fired multiple shots at Thongchai. He cited an unpaid debt of 11 million baht as the possible motive.
Shots fired in the office of the administration chief
Police say Chalong entered the office of Police Colonel Thongchai in Muang district around 11 am. He allegedly fired several shots at the provincial administration organization president.
Thongchai was rushed to Phranangklao Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Phone call during a live broadcast
After the shooting, police said Chalong called Anchalee Paireerak, a news anchor for Naew Na. She was in the middle of a live broadcast at the time.
Chalong told her he had fired about five shots at Thongchai. Anchalee urged him to put down the weapon, calm down, and wait for police in the office while station staff alerted Rattanathibet police station.
Allegation of an open payment of 11 million baht
During the call, police said Chalong stated he shot the administration chief because he refused to pay back 11 million baht. Chalong said Thongchai owed him this amount.
Police presented this account as the arrested man’s statement. No further details about the background were released initially.
Former MP from Nonthaburi
Chalong is a well-known politician from Nonthaburi. He previously served in parliament for the Thai Citizen Party and later for the Pheu-Thai Party.
In the 2023 election, he ran under the Bhumjaithai Party banner and lost. After the killing, he was arrested and taken to Rattanathibet police station.