Key facts
- A shooting occurred at a government office in Nonthaburi province, Thailand.
- Two people were injured, including a senior provincial official and his driver.
- The suspected shooter is a former member of parliament.
- The incident follows a deadly school shooting in the same province.
- Thai officials are considering tightening gun control measures.
A gunman killed a Thai official inside a local government office on the outskirts of Bangkok on Monday, days after a 14-year-old's deadly rampage at a school in the same province left nine dead and over 20 wounded. The suspected shooter in Monday's incident is a former lawmaker, and the motive is believed to be a disagreement over borrowed money. In response to the school shooting, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reiterated his intention to tighten gun control measures, ordering tougher enforcement against public gun carrying and stating that self-defense is not a justification for carrying firearms. Schools have also increased security measures, including metal detectors, and the Education Ministry plans to develop new safety protocols. Thailand has the highest rate of civilian firearm possession in Southeast Asia, with experts noting deficiencies in the current licensing regime.