Murder charges have been filed against an army officer who shot and killed his superior in his office in Kalasin province on Wednesday morning, reportedly over a dispute involving a transfer order.
The fatal shooting occurred on the fourth floor of the provincial hall building in Muang district, triggering panic among public servants and members of the public as shots rang out around 9.20am.
Police said Sub Lt Tinakorn Vetchakama, 59 (identified in earlier reports as Sub Lt Chinnakorn), an officer attached to the Muang district military affairs office, opened fire on Col Korwikanon Wongsaonao, 59, the head of the office.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect remained at the scene and surrendered to police while carrying the weapon used in the shooting. He was subsequently taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.
According to investigators, the shooting arose from a workplace dispute. Police said Sub Lt Tinakorn was dissatisfied with an order transferring him to the Kamalasai district military affairs office in Kalasin.
Provincial and district military affairs offices manage recruitment and conscription, civilian-military coordination and regional defence matters.
Sub Lt Tinakorn told police he had gone to meet his superior to discuss and question the transfer order, but the conversation escalated into an argument. Authorities said the suspect drew a firearm and shot his commanding officer.
Investigators from the Muang Kalasin police station took Sub Lt Tinakorn for fingerprinting before escorting him to re-enact the crime scene in the fourth-floor office at the provincial hall. He was later taken to the police station for questioning.
Pol Col Chalit Srihanu, chief of the Muang police station, said the suspect had confessed to the crime.
Investigators have initially charged him with premeditated murder, carrying a firearm in public without good cause, and discharging a firearm in a public area.
Police will next seek a detention order from the Khon Kaen Military Court before proceeding with legal action, said Pol Col Chalit.
Kalasin governor Suwat Khemthanaphet, who went to the scene along with police and other officials, has ordered support services for people who witnessed the incident, describing it as a deeply traumatic event.
Police detain Sub Lt Tinakorn Vetchakama, 59, an officer attached to the Muang Kalasin military recruiting office, following the fatal shooting of his superior on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Army Military Force Facebook)
