Ex‑Thai MP Shoots Official and Confesses Live on YouTube

A former member of parliament from Nonthaburi is accused of shooting a former police officer, Thongchai Yenprasert, near Bangkok and then calling a political pundit to confess the act live on YouTube.

Realong claimed that Thongchai had gone to his office, pushed him, and that a driver had fired a weapon. In the confrontation the MP fired back and the officer died in hospital. A police officer’s arm and hand were also wounded.

Following his arrest the MP was allowed to appear at a police station and was granted a press conference, where he spoke for over six minutes while smoking a cigarette. The press conference was intended to apologize to the victim’s family, but the MP spent most of the time describing the shooting in detail.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul responded by condemning the treatment of the former MP, stating that the suspect was “a murderer” regardless of his former status. He pledged that “full legal action” would be taken.

The incident came three days after a school shooting that left 12 people dead, prompting the government to tighten gun‑control laws and establish checkpoints. The two attacks are separate but both highlight concerns about the nation's high rate of gun ownership.

Policymakers are now debating stricter regulations on gun possession, carrying and use, following a series of high‑profile mass shootings in Thailand. The case has brought renewed attention to the fragile balance between law enforcement, political accountability and public safety.