Political heavyweight Chalong Riangrang stays behind bars after court denies bail over the murder of five-term PAO chief Thongchai. His disputed 11 million baht debt claim faces scrutiny as thousands gather for the victim’s funeral in Nonthaburi on Tuesday.
Ex Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riangrang was sent to prison under armed guard Tuesday after a court denied bail over the killing of five-term PAO President Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert. Chalong, 71, faces premeditated murder and three other charges after Monday’s shooting. Friends and relatives reject his claim that Thongchai owed him 11 million baht. NACC records show Chalong had liabilities exceeding assets by 64 million baht. Thousands gathered for Thongchai’s funeral as police probed CCTV, firearms evidence and the disputed debt. The killing came just three days after seven died in the Debsirin Nonthaburi School mass shooting.
Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riangrang was sent to prison on Tuesday after a court refused him bail over Monday’s fatal shooting. The 71-year-old veteran politician faces four serious criminal charges, led by premeditated murder.
Nonthaburi Provincial Court cited the gravity of the case and the severe potential penalties. Crucially, the court also feared Mr Chalong could flee if released.
The decision means the former MP will remain behind bars while police build their case. Mr Chalong is accused of shooting Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, President of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). Pol Col Thongchai was shot at the PAO headquarters on Monday morning. He was later pronounced dead.
Second major Nonthaburi shooting in four days leaves five-term PAO president dead and ex-MP charged
The killing triggered an immediate and heavily resourced police operation. Notably, it came only three days after the mass shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. Seven people died at the school, including the 14-year-old gunman. Before the attack, his grandparents had been killed at their home.
Against that backdrop, another high-profile shooting unfolded on Monday. This time, the victim was one of Nonthaburi’s most established provincial politicians. Pol Col Thongchai had served five terms as PAO president. His death therefore left the province dealing with another major shooting within four days.
Mr Chalong surrendered after the killing. Police then began assembling evidence from CCTV footage, firearms evidence and witness accounts. By Tuesday morning, investigators were ready to seek his continued detention. They also prepared formal objections to any attempt to secure bail.
At 9.20 am, police brought Mr Chalong from Rattanathibet Police Station to Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Pol Col Phrut Chamroonsat, Superintendent of Rattanathibet Police Station, led the operation. However, police treated the journey as far more than a routine prisoner transfer.
Armed police escort former MP to court as investigators seek 12-day detention and object to bail
Security around the former MP was exceptionally tight. A large contingent of uniformed and plainclothes officers surrounded him throughout the operation. In addition, officers wore bulletproof vests while heavily armed Special Operations Unit personnel joined the escort. Police deployed bulletproof vehicles and motorcycles around the convoy.
As Mr Chalong emerged from the station, waiting reporters immediately attempted to question him. They first asked whether he wanted to disclose anything about the case. Mr Chalong refused to answer and shook his head. Reporters then asked, “Are you feeling stressed?” and “Are you worried about your daughter?”
Mr Chalong remained silent. Nevertheless, he nodded in response to both questions. He then forced a brief smile before officers moved him towards the waiting vehicle. Shortly afterwards, the heavily guarded convoy left Rattanathibet Police Station for the provincial court.
Investigators requested an initial 12-day detention order covering August 11 through August 22. As part of this, they set out four serious charges against the former MP. The first and most serious charge is premeditated murder. Separately, Mr Chalong faces a charge of attempted murder.
Four serious charges put Chalong at risk of severe penalties as police formally oppose his release
Police also charged him with carrying a firearm in a city, village or public place without justification. The fourth charge concerns firing a gun in a city, village or community without justification. Together, the charges expose the former MP to severe penalties if convicted.
Investigators also made their position on bail explicit. In the final section of their detention petition, police formally objected to his release. They described the case as a heinous and shocking crime attracting significant public attention.
Pol Col Phrut confirmed that investigators had clearly opposed bail. Meanwhile, police had made inquiries with Mr Chalong’s private lawyer before the court proceedings. His lawyer confirmed the defence would not apply for bail at this stage.
The court subsequently approved his continued detention and refused bail. It cited the seriousness of the crime and the high potential penalty. More significantly, the court cited fears that Mr Chalong might flee.
That ruling ended any prospect of the former political heavyweight returning home on Tuesday. Instead, preparations began to transfer him into the prison system. The Department of Corrections assumed responsibility for taking Mr Chalong to Bangkok Special Prison.
Court refuses bail over flight fears as former political heavyweight is transferred to Bangkok prison
Even then, the extensive security operation continued. A Special Operations Unit was assigned to accompany the convoy throughout the journey. Armed officers therefore remained with Mr Chalong as custody passed from police investigators to prison officials.
His imprisonment marked another sharp turn in a case involving two former political allies. Mr Chalong had been a significant figure in Nonthaburi politics for years. Pol Col Thongchai later established an extensive political base of his own.
Mr Chalong was elected to parliament three times during a career spanning several political parties. After leaving parliament, he remained a prominent figure in Nonthaburi political circles. By comparison, Pol Col Thongchai established himself at the centre of provincial government.
The PAO chief ultimately secured five terms as president. Over time, however, the relationship between the two men deteriorated. The former allies eventually became political rivals.
Following Monday’s shooting, Mr Chalong placed an 11 million baht debt at the centre of his account. He claimed Pol Col Thongchai owed him the money. According to Mr Chalong, he went to demand repayment before the encounter ended with gunfire.
Former political allies became rivals before Chalong claimed an 11 million baht debt led to shooting
By Tuesday, however, that account was facing direct challenges from people close to the dead politician. Friends, relatives and political associates rejected claims that Pol Col Thongchai owed Mr Chalong 11 million baht. Those close to the PAO president said they knew of no such debt.
The dispute has consequently become an important part of the police investigation. Investigators must establish whether documents support Mr Chalong’s claim. They must also examine the precise financial relationship between the two former political allies.
At the same time, Mr Chalong’s previously declared financial position came under fresh attention. Records filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission showed substantial liabilities compared with his assets. The figures dated from a 2019 declaration connected with his spouse holding political office.
At that point, approximately 24 million baht in assets were declared. In contrast, liabilities stood at approximately 88 million baht. His declared debts therefore exceeded his declared assets by around 64 million baht.
Those figures have assumed fresh significance following Mr Chalong’s explanation for Monday’s confrontation. He says he was attempting to recover 11 million baht from Pol Col Thongchai. Yet the victim’s friends, relatives and associates reject the existence of that debt.
Friends reject claimed 11 million baht debt as Chalong’s heavy liabilities come under fresh scrutiny
In parallel, police must establish whether money actually passed between the two men. Investigators must determine whether financial records support the former MP’s account. The disputed 11 million baht is therefore a significant strand of the wider investigation.
Pol Col Thongchai’s declared financial position presented a markedly different picture. More recent NACC declarations involving him and his partner showed combined assets exceeding 303 million baht. Their declared liabilities, meanwhile, stood at approximately 5.6 million baht.
On another front, the killing abruptly ended Pol Col Thongchai’s long career at the centre of Nonthaburi provincial politics. His five terms as PAO president had established him as a major local political figure. His death also left the provincial organisation without its long-serving leader.
By Tuesday afternoon, attention shifted from the courthouse to Wat Saphan Sung in Pak Kret. There, Pol Col Thongchai’s family began funeral rites for the veteran PAO president. His body was brought to the temple for a water-pouring ceremony beginning at 3 pm.
Buddhist funeral prayers followed at 7 pm. During the afternoon, thousands of mourners arrived at the temple to pay their respects. They included politicians, government officials, police officers and local leaders. Large numbers of residents also joined the ceremonies.
Thousands attend funeral after Pol Col Thongchai’s five terms leading Nonthaburi’s provincial authority
Reports estimated the attendance at between 3,000 and 4,000 people. The turnout came after Pol Col Thongchai’s five terms at the head of the PAO. For Wednesday, however, chanting was suspended because of the public holiday.
Funeral prayers will resume on August 13 and continue nightly through August 18. Finally, the royal cremation ceremony is scheduled for 5 pm on Wednesday, August 19.
While the funeral rites began, detectives continued reconstructing Monday’s killing. CCTV footage has become central to their investigation. Police are also examining the circumstances leading to the confrontation between the two veteran politicians.
In particular, investigators face conflicting accounts surrounding the claimed 11 million baht debt. Mr Chalong says the money was owed to him. Friends, relatives and political associates of Pol Col Thongchai say they knew of no such obligation.
Adding to the scrutiny, the former MP’s 2019 NACC declaration showed liabilities far exceeding his declared assets. Police must now test his account against financial records and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
For now, Mr Chalong remains in custody on four serious charges. The initial detention request runs through August 22. Investigators have formally opposed bail, while his own lawyer declined to seek his release at this stage.
Thousands mourn five-term PAO president as accused former MP remains jailed on four serious charges
Tuesday therefore produced sharply contrasting scenes across Nonthaburi. At Wat Saphan Sung, thousands gathered for the first funeral rites of the five-term PAO president. Elsewhere, heavily armed officers guarded the former MP accused of shooting him.
The events followed Friday’s mass shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. Seven people died there, including the 14-year-old gunman. Beforehand, his grandparents were killed at their home.
Political bigwig charged with murder in Nonthaburi after gunning down Provincial Authority President
Three days later, Pol Col Thongchai was shot at the headquarters of the provincial organisation he had led for five terms. Within another day, his funeral ceremonies had begun and the man accused of killing him was heading into prison custody.
For Mr Chalong, the court decision represented a stark reversal from his years as a Nonthaburi political powerbroker. He entered Tuesday under heavily armed police guard. By the end of the proceedings, the court had refused bail and ordered his continued detention.
The Department of Corrections then assumed responsibility for his custody. A Special Operations Unit accompanied his transfer to Bangkok Special Prison. There, the former MP will remain as investigators pursue the murder case and examine his disputed 11 million baht claim.
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