"Department of Disease Control" ordered to fine "Chalong Riewrang" and Rattanathibet Police Station a total of 8,000 baht for smoking inside the police station before being sent to court for detention on homicide charges.
Regarding the social controversy following the appearance of images "Mr. Chalong Riewrang" former Nonthaburi MP and suspect in the shooting death of Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenprasert, chief of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization, sitting and smoking without handcuffs while in custody inside a meeting room at Rattanathibet Police Station, which sparked public criticism over appropriateness and legality.
Most recently, on 11 August 2026, officials from the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, visited Rattanathibet Police Station to take legal action against Mr. Chalong Riewrang, former Nonthaburi MP, for smoking inside a police station, which is a government facility and a smoke-free zone. He was fined 5,000 baht for violating the ban on smoking in government premises under the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017). Additionally, Rattanathibet Police Station was fined 3,000 baht for allowing the violation on its premises.
After completing these procedures, investigators at Rattanathibet Police Station prepared to detain Mr. Chalong along with all evidence and filed a petition for custody at Nonthaburi Provincial Court on four serious charges: premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal firearm discharge in a city, village or community, and carrying a firearm in a city, village or public area without proper cause. The investigators opposed bail due to the case’s severity and high penalties.
Dr. Yutthana Homket, a senior public health academic, explained the legal proceedings regarding the smoking incident at Rattanathibet Police Station, emphasizing that the case was considered because clear photographic evidence was available. The photos shown in the news were used as evidence to charge under Section 42 (smoking in smoke-free/government areas). He confirmed there was no discrimination, as the law applies equally to government locations as to other areas, and any violations or reports must be processed with fines following standard procedures.