Kalasin military affairs chief shot dead over transfer dispute

An army colonel was shot dead in his office at the provincial hall in the northeastern province of Kalasin this morning by a subordinate, over a transfer dispute, police said.

The shooting occurred at about 9.20am on the fourth floor of the provincial hall building, which houses the Kalasin Provincial Military Affairs Office.

Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots, prompting civil servants, government employees and people seeking government services to flee the building in panic.

Police, accompanied by Kalasin Governor Suwat Hemthanaphet, rushed to the scene and found the body of Col. Kornwikanon Wongsaonao, 59, the provincial military affairs officer, inside his office.

He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

The suspect, identified as Sub Lt. Chinakorn Wechkama, 59, a military affairs officer assigned to Muang Kalasin district, surrendered to police at the scene together with the weapon allegedly used in the shooting.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect was dissatisfied with a reassignment to the Kamalasai District Military Affairs Office, so he met the victim to discuss the order.

An argument broke out during the meeting before the suspect allegedly drew a handgun and opened fire, killing his superior.

Forensic officers have been gathering evidence at the scene, while police continue their investigation.

The governor ordered urgent mental health assistance for provincial hall staff present during the incident, noting that the shooting was highly distressing and had inflicted significant emotional trauma.