Thai Ex-Lawmaker Kills Official Over Loan Dispute

A former member of Thailand’s parliament has admitted to shooting a senior government official in a government office over a money dispute, police said on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in a Bangkok ministry building, involved the ex‑lawmaker firing a single shot that struck the official in the chest. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital but was reported to be in critical condition.

Police investigators say the shooting was the result of a financial disagreement that escalated when the former lawmaker demanded repayment of a large sum that had been allegedly misappropriated. The case is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine whether the act was premeditated or a spontaneous act of anger. The incident follows Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting in almost four years, which took place just days earlier and left dozens of people dead and injured.

The Thai government has condemned the attack and pledged a thorough investigation. The incident has raised concerns about security protocols for senior officials and the broader issue of corruption within public office. Authorities have urged calm while they continue to probe the motives and background of the former lawmaker.