Thailand is facing another shooting incident in Nonthaburi province, just days after a deadly school rampage shocked the country. This time, the alleged gunman is a 71-year-old former lawmaker who opened fire inside a local government office, injuring a senior provincial official and his driver.

Police identified the suspect as Chalong Reawraeng, a former three-term Member of Parliament who has been active in Thai politics for decades. He was arrested after the shooting at the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, according to police and Reuters.

The incident has added to concerns about gun violence in Thailand, coming only days after a 14-year-old allegedly killed his grandparents before opening fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, killing several people and injuring more than 20 others.

Chalong Reawraeng is a veteran Thai politician who served as a lawmaker for three terms. He was most recently associated with the Pheu Thai Party, although he contested the latest election under the ruling Bhumjaithai Party and failed to win a seat, according to reports. The former MP has remained a known figure in Nonthaburi politics, where he has had longstanding connections with local political and administrative circles.

The word “cobra” has a specific political history in Thailand and was used to describe Chalong after he broke ranks with his political side during a crucial parliamentary vote in 1997.

He voted for a prime ministerial candidate from another party, earning the “cobra” label because of the political betrayal implied by the term. The nickname has remained associated with his political career and is now drawing renewed attention following the Nonthaburi shooting.

The shooting occurred at a government office in Nonthaburi on Monday. According to provincial police commander Major General Dejrapee Kongdee, the suspect allegedly opened fire at Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, and his driver.

Both men were wounded and taken to hospital for treatment. Police subsequently detained Chalong in connection with the shooting. The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Thongchai Yenprasert is the current president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation and a former police officer. He joined the Thai police force in 1984 and served in several positions, including deputy superintendent and superintendent at district police stations in Nonthaburi.

The former police officer later entered local administration and eventually became the head of the provincial administrative organisation.

The exact motive has not been officially established. Chalong reportedly claimed that he had approached Thongchai for assistance after facing difficulties but had repeatedly been turned down. However, authorities have not yet established whether that dispute was the direct cause of the shooting.

Reports circulating after the incident have suggested a financial disagreement between the two men, but these details should be treated as allegations until confirmed by investigators or authorities.

The Nonthaburi government-office shooting comes just days after another deadly gun attack in the same province.

On August 7, a 14-year-old student allegedly shot his grandparents before travelling to Debsirin Nonthaburi School and opening fire. The attack killed several people and left more than 20 injured. The death toll later rose to nine.

The school shooting was among Thailand’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years and immediately reignited debate over gun ownership and firearms regulation.