A local government official was hospitalised after being shot at a government office in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Thailand’s capital, on Monday, officials said.A gunman was arrested following the incident, which came days after a teenager’s deadly shooting rampage at a school in the same province renewed debate over gun control.Provincial police commander Major General Dejrapee Kongdee said the suspected gunman, a former lawmaker, opened fire on a senior provincial official and his driver.“There were two people wounded, who have been sent to hospital for treatment,” Dejrapee was quoted as saying by Reuters.The alleged shooter, Chalong Reawraeng, served as a lawmaker for three terms, most recently with the Pheu Thai party. The 71-year-old was labelled a “cobra” in Thai politics in 1997 after voting for a prime ministerial candidate from another party. He contested the latest election under the ruling Bhumjaithai party but failed to win a seat, as cited by the BBC.Chalong’s alleged victim, Thongchai Yenprasert, is a former police officer and currently serves as president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation. The 71-year-old joined the police force in 1984 and served as deputy superintendent and superintendent at several district police stations in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Bangkok.Chalong said he had sought Thongchai’s help as he was facing difficulties but was repeatedly turned down. The precise motive for the shooting, however, remains unclear, as cited by Thai Enquirer.This incident comes as nine people were killed and more than 20 injured after a 14-year-old boy allegedly shot his grandparents before opening fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Thailand on Friday and later turning the gun on himself. The incident was the country’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly four years.Thai schoolchildren returned to classrooms on Monday amid tighter security measures, with some students passing through metal detectors and undergoing other checks. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated his intention to strengthen gun controls following the shooting.The attack, which left more than 20 people injured in addition to those killed, was Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022 and has renewed debate over firearms control in Southeast Asia’s largest gun-owning nation.
