A 27-year-old son of Chada Thaiseth, a Chartthaipattana MP for Uthai Thani, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province late on Monday night, police said.

Chada Thaiseth (File Photo)

Pol Col Thanawut Kehacharoen, chief of Moosi police station, said the shooting occurred after Mr Chada and about 10 members of his family went to stay together in a large house at the Chatau De Khao Yai Hotel and Resort in tambon Moosi of Pak Chong district.

About 11pm, Mr Chada and his son, Farut, left the resort in a Toyota Prado car, heading along Khao Yai - Wang Nam Khieo road to a 7-Eleven store to buy some things.

According to witnesses, on the way the MP stopped at a McDonald's to meet a friend who was waiting for him.  Mr Chada transferred to his friend's BMW car and his son Farut drove the Prado to the 7-Eleven.

On the way back from the store, Mr Chada and his friend went ahead in the BMW car, followed by Farut in the Prado.

Some men followed Farut in a Mitsubishi Strada car.  They then  overtook the Prado and opened fire at Farut with handguns.  One of the shots hit Farut in the head, wounding him seriously.  The vehicle ran off the road and rammed into a power pole.

When his son did not show up, Mr Chada drove back along the road and discovered the crashed vehicle.  He immediately took his son to a nearby hospital, where Farut was pronounced dead.

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Photos by Sarit Sisung

Pol Col Thanawut said the MP was on a vacation trip with his family without a bodyguard.  Mr Chada would be available to make a statement to police after he finished with the burial of his son in an Islamic funeral.

Mr Chada said he was not sure if the shooting was related to politics. He confirmed he would make a statement to police after his son's burial.

Farut's body was moved to the family house behind Wat Thung Kaew in Muang district of Uthai Thai province on Tuesday morning.

A large number of people led by the mayor of Uthai Thani Municipality, Mananya Thaiseth, Mr Chada's younger sister,  were present for the mourning ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said that he spoke by telephone with the Nakhon Ratchasima police chief and understood that shooting was believed to be premeditated. The attackers fled in the direction of Wang Nam Khieo district, he said.

Mr Chada, 51, was mayor of Uthai Thani Municipality before running successfully for election to the House under the Chart Thai Party banner in 2007.  He was re-elected under the Chartthaipattana Party banner in 2011.