Former Thai MP kills official in Nonthaburi days after school shooting left nine dead

School shooting

On Friday, 7 August 2026, a 14-year-old boy named Patchat Yimruang shot his grandparents dead at their home in Nonthaburi province, then drove to the prestigious Debsirin Nonthaburi school where he killed three teachers and three students and injured dozens more before turning the gun on himself. The youngest victim was 12-year-old Naphat Chaimar. The boy had lived with his grandparents since his parents separated when he was two, and used his grandfather's firearm in the attack. The total death toll reached nine: two grandparents, six people at the school, and the gunman.

Injury figures varied across sources. The verified correction of 7 August established at least 15 injured, while later reports on 10 August cited more than 20, and the Guardian on 11 August reported more than 30 injured. Thailand's health ministry said at least 14 people remained hospitalised, with seven in critical condition on Saturday, 8 August. Most of the wounded were aged between 12 and 14.

Mourning and apology

Hundreds gathered at Wat Lat Pla Duk temple in Nonthaburi for the funeral of Naphat Chaimar on Monday, 10 August. The shooter's father, Nithi Yimruang, knelt before Naphat's parents in a traditional gesture of supplication. Naphat's father, Pongthon Chaimar, helped him to his feet and accepted the apology.

I'm experiencing so many emotions all at once. I feel guilty and heartbroken because I've suffered a loss too. I've lost my child, as well as my parents. And seeing the little girl's father being so kind and understanding toward me makes me feel even more guilty.

Nithi told the Guardian his son was a quiet, reserved child who usually kept things to himself, and had become even quieter toward the end. He visited every weekend and took the boy to tutoring classes. When asked how school was, the boy would only say "so-so."

Investigation

Police said they had interviewed 17 witnesses. Deputy Commissioner Atthapol Anusit of the Provincial Police Region said the boy had shown interest in firearms for one to two years and had watched violent content on social media. A personal computer found at the crime scene showed a search history related to firearms. A knife was found in the boy's bag, along with a firearm and spent cartridge cases. Last year, a teacher had confiscated a BB gun the boy brought to school. Atthapol said there was no evidence yet that the boy had practised shooting.

Former MP's shooting

On Monday, 10 August, at around 11am, 71-year-old former MP Chalong Riewraeng shot Thongchai Yenprasert, the 71-year-old chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, at the government offices in Nonthaburi. Thongchai was hit four times, including in the neck, and died at Phra Nang Klao Hospital. His driver was shot in the right arm and underwent surgery. Chalong confessed and was arrested.

I followed him to his car and hit his car's window, saying I want to talk. He said he will not talk, so I pulled my gun. I did not aim to shoot, but his driver pulled a gun and pointed it at me so I fired.

Chalong served three terms as MP and was known as "cobra" for breaking ranks in 1997. He called a YouTuber live on air to confess, saying he had just shot Thongchai. The dispute was over several million baht; one report cited 11 million baht (about 290,000 euros). Chalong said he needed the money for medical treatment for polycythaemia, a condition he had been receiving treatment for since 2011.

Gun control debate

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated his intention to tighten gun control laws after the school shooting, which was Thailand's deadliest in nearly four years. Thailand has approximately 15 guns per 100 residents, the highest rate in Southeast Asia, according to a 2017 estimate by the Small Arms Survey. Current laws do not include mental health screenings and allow people as young as 20 to own guns.