Driver Recounts Final Moments Before Provincial Chief Shot Dead

At 10:00 on August 14, 2569, Superintendent Prut Jamrungsart of Ratanathibeth Police Station in Nonthaburi and investigators questioned Yot, driver of Colonel Thongchai Yenprasertsai, chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization. Thongchai was shot on the morning of August 10 at the parking lot of the Provincial Administrative Organization office by Chaloeng Reueang, a former prominent Nonthaburi politician. Thongchai died during transport to hospital, while Yot was shot in the right wrist.

Yot testified that when the incident occurred, he had walked down from the building to the parking lot to prepare the vehicle for the chairman to travel to another engagement. He had walked ahead of both men when the chairman began getting into the car and Yot was preparing to drive. Chaloeng suddenly approached and tapped on the car window. The chairman rolled it down, and Chaloeng immediately drew a gun and aimed it at him. The chairman raised his hand and told Chaloeng not to do this, but Chaloeng fired at once, hitting Yot in the wrist. Startled, Yot opened the car door and fled behind the vehicle. Chaloeng walked around looking for him, shouting "Where are you, Yot?" Yot then seized the opportunity to run for help from officials in front of the government office.

Yot further testified that before the incident, Chaloeng had waited at the office door because the chairman was occupied with a guest. Chaloeng waited about 20 minutes before entering the office to meet with the chairman. After a brief meeting, the chairman walked out of the office to go to another engagement. The incident was completely unexpected, as both men had known each other for decades and no one foresaw such an attack, especially since no one knew Chaloeng was carrying a gun as if he had prepared for this beforehand.

Yot stated that regarding the cause of Chaloeng's attack, he was uncertain what dispute existed between them. He only knew that the chairman had always helped Chaloeng, as Chaloeng would frequently visit to seek assistance.

Regarding the matter of 11 million baht, Yot had heard that when the chairman was developing a housing project and ran short of funds, he borrowed 11 million baht from Chaloeng. However, he repaid it with interest, totaling nearly 15 million baht. That debt matter was settled. The chairman even joked that he would never finish repaying his debt of gratitude to Chaloeng, who kept bothering him about it. Additionally, the chairman had helped the housing project owner assist Chaloeng in purchasing land and a house that Chaloeng's wife had secretly mortgaged and sold, nearly losing it. The chairman never took any commission and gave all the proceeds to Chaloeng because he saw his friend was in difficulty. Yot therefore could not understand why Chaloeng would resort to shooting his benefactor. After recovering, Yot wishes to attend the chairman's funeral.