PM Anutin orders full action in fatal PAO shooting despite ex-MP status

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for police to pursue the case fully and without exception on Monday (August 10, 2026), after former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewrang allegedly shot Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), at the organisation’s office at about 11am.

Thongchai died, while his driver was injured.

Anutin told reporters at 3pm that investigators had opposed bail and that the case should be pursued fully, including a charge of carrying a firearm.

Registration, Anutin stressed, did not make carrying a gun permissible.

Addressing Chalong’s status as a former multi-term politician, Anutin remarked that he did not care who Chalong was, adding: “Right now, he is a murderer.”

Anutin also noted that he had never met Chalong and did not know whether the former MP had resigned from the Bhumjaithai Party, but confirmed that Chalong held no role in the party.

Chalong claimed that the shooting stemmed from a THB11 million dispute.

According to Chalong, Thongchai had borrowed the money to fund an election campaign in 2008 and had also received his help on several occasions as a friend, without previously being asked for repayment or anything in return.

Chalong attributed his decision to seek repayment to health problems, substantial medical expenses and a decline in income.

Chalong maintained that he had wanted only to discuss the matter and reach an agreement, but alleged that Thongchai refused to negotiate and left the room following an argument.

According to his account, Chalong followed Thongchai to his vehicle and called on him to return for further discussion.

Chalong alleged that the PAO president’s driver then drew a firearm, prompting him to act in self-defence.

Chalong denied intending to kill anyone and claimed to have seen Thongchai run away after the shooting, leading him to believe that the PAO president was not seriously injured.

Chalong subsequently took a motorcycle taxi to surrender and apologised to Nonthaburi residents, Thongchai and his family.

The former MP also alleged that he had helped with an appointment to a civil-service post at superintendent level and had provided political assistance.

Chalong referred to an unnamed third politician whom he claimed had also helped with the matter.

All these statements remain Chalong’s allegations.

Police are examining evidence, questioning witnesses and investigating the circumstances to establish the facts.

Pol Lt Gen Wattana Yee-Jean, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, noted that no official press conference had yet been held and that detailed questioning of the suspect should be left to investigators.

Wattana spoke at 1.55pm after inspecting the scene in the front car park of the PAO office building.

According to Wattana, Chalong had admitted carrying out the shooting alone and attributed it to long-standing frustration over a multi-million-baht loan and repeated attempts to recover the money.

Police had not confirmed the exact amount.

Wattana stressed that the suspect was entitled to give his account, but police would assess it against evidence from the scene, CCTV footage and interviews with those involved, including the injured driver.

Wattana described Chalong’s claim that the driver had tried to use a firearm kept in the vehicle as only the suspect’s version of events.

According to Wattana, CCTV footage showed that the driver had not fired back.

Police had conducted preliminary questioning and examined the driver’s firearm, while forensic officers were investigating whether it had been prepared for defensive use.

Thongchai was shot twice in the cheek and once in the neck, while the driver was shot once in the wrist, according to police.

Wattana indicated that Chalong appeared to have prepared for a discussion about the dispute.

Whether the shooting itself had been planned remained under investigation, although the scene examination and CCTV footage appeared consistent with prior preparation.

In legal terms, the circumstances clearly indicated intent to kill, according to Wattana.

Police would nevertheless investigate Chalong’s claims of self-defence or provocation.

Wattana added that Chalong’s public comments and apologies would not entitle him to special treatment.

Police had not yet obtained material from Chalong’s call to a live programme, during which he expressed remorse and offered an apology.

Wattana noted that the evidence would ultimately establish the facts of the case.