A 34-year-old man was shot dead in Pattaya after allegedly being lured into a deadly ambush linked to a suspected romantic dispute, according to Thai police.
The fatal shooting happened at around 3.56am on May 10 in Sukhumvit Pattaya Soi 15/12, located in the Na Kluea area of Chon Buri province.
Police said the victim, identified only as Apichai, was discovered lying face down beside the roadside with a gunshot wound to the head. Officers recovered a .38 calibre shell casing at the scene while the suspects reportedly fled before authorities arrived.
According to local residents, a single gunshot was heard shortly before the body was found.
Victim Allegedly Lured Through Fake Meeting Setup
Investigators believe the victim may have been tricked into arriving at the location through a messaging account allegedly linked to a woman he had been dating for about a year.
A nephew who accompanied Apichai told police that the victim had received a location pin from his girlfriend requesting to meet there. The pair reportedly travelled to the scene in a black sedan before spotting a white vehicle already parked nearby.
While the nephew was reportedly paying the driver, a young man allegedly approached him with a firearm and warned him not to move.
Moments later, Apichai walked towards the white sedan expecting to meet the woman. Shortly after, another man reportedly rushed towards him before a gunshot rang out.
The nephew claimed he saw his uncle collapse before fleeing the area and later informing family members about the incident.
CCTV Footage Reveals Suspected Planned Attack
Police reviewing CCTV footage reportedly discovered evidence suggesting the shooting may have been carefully planned.
Authorities said the footage showed a white sedan arriving earlier with three young men inside. Two suspects wearing white shirts allegedly waited near the roadside while another dressed in black reportedly hid inside nearby bushes.
When the victim arrived, one of the suspects allegedly confronted and punched him before the victim collapsed seconds later.
Footage also allegedly showed the suspect dressed in black emerging from the roadside area before all three men escaped in the same white sedan.
Investigators now suspect the killing stemmed from escalating tensions involving the woman and rival parties. Police reportedly uncovered confrontational messages exchanged before the meeting was arranged.
Police Continue Hunt For Suspects
Thai police believe the meeting was intentionally organised as a trap and say they have already identified several suspects linked to the shooting.
Authorities are continuing efforts to track down and arrest those involved.
The incident adds to growing concerns over violent crimes and firearm-related cases in Pattaya, one of Thailand’s busiest nightlife and tourism destinations.
In another recent case, a police officer was arrested after allegedly shooting a cannabis shop owner dead on Pattaya Walking Street. The victim later died in hospital after suffering two gunshot wounds to the torso.