A British pensioner has died while riding his scooter in Thailand in what police say is a possible road accident or love triangle.
The retired engineer (70) was drinking with friends before riding his moped home on a dark road when he was shot four times in the back on Thursday.
Locals in Pattaya heard the shots and found the Doncaster victim in a pool of blood just before 10.30pm. Four shell casings were found on the road nearby.
The man’s younger partner (38) arrived at the scene where she burst into tears. Police and paramedics performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead on the street after suffering severe blood loss.
A British pensioner was shot four times in the back while riding his scooter in Thailand. Pictured: Police officers and paramedics are seen at the scene after the retired engineer was shot four times in the back as he rode his moped on a dark Pattaya street on Thursday night. He was found around 10:30
Officers have now seized the victim’s partner’s phone and are interviewing her on the theory that the man was involved in a love triangle in the notorious holiday destination known for its crime and adult nightlife.
According to the police, the victim had lived in Thailand for 20 years and had a Thai family.
Crime scene photos taken Thursday night show officers and paramedics on a dark stretch of road, numbered placards next to shell casings on the tarmac.
Police Colonel Surakit In-am of the Huay Yai District Police Station said a “love affair or street rage” were two possible motives for the brutal murder.
Today he said: “Girl’s phone has been confiscated and we are checking all communications with whom she has had [the man] and other people.
‘[The victim] He may also have been involved in an argument with other foreigners or in road rage while driving home. We do not know the motive for the murder. No one has been arrested yet. We are still investigating and collecting all evidence.’
Officers said the 70-year-old was hit four times in the back with three 9mm projectile grenades and a shrapnel. He had two gunshot wounds to his back, one above his waist and one below his armpit.
He fell to the ground and was lying on his back next to his red Honda Scoopy when the police arrived. He was also wearing a helmet, which was removed while medics examined his body.
The man’s glasses were also found in the street next to his body, about two kilometers from his home.
Local residents heard the shots and found the Doncaster victim in a pool of blood just before 10.30pm. Four shell casings were found on the road nearby. In the photo: Friday shows the stretch of road in Thailand where the man was found on January 4
Police Colonel Chakkrapan Kittisiripornkul, deputy commander of the Chonburi police, said the man’s partner was at the scene shortly after the accident.
The partner, who had been with the pensioner for four years, fell to the ground and cried next to the body of her lover. She told the police that they were living together, but their marriage was never registered.
The widow told police the victim was a retired engineer from England who was visiting his sick sister for Christmas before returning to Pattaya on Wednesday, January 4.
At 16:00 on the day of his death, he went drinking with friends while she did homework. She was at home waiting for someone to call her and tell her he had been shot. The partner told police she did not know if the man had argued with other expats or local residents.
Police Colonel Chakkrapan says resident Kittikun Impeng (29) was questioned at the scene. He told the officers he was riding a motorcycle and saw someone lying in a pool of blood.
Kittikun tried to call him, but all he could hear was breathing, and he called emergency services. When they saw signs of gunfire, he called the police.
Rescue workers were the first to arrive, but the victim was already dead.
Police Colonel Surakit said by phone this morning that a “love affair or street rage” were two possible motives for the murder.
He said: “Three motives we look at first are that the victim was involved in a romantic relationship, road rage or an argument. We also plan to interview the last people who saw it [the victim] before he went home. You’ll know if he had a fight before he left on his bike.
“We have to decide whether the attack was planned or happened suddenly, for example after a fight in the bar.
“The gunman was walking fast with no leads and no witnesses saw them, so we don’t yet know if they were on foot, on a motorbike or in a car.
“We have all the evidence we need from the crime scene and the road is open again.”
The Brit was killed in Pattaya, a notorious holiday destination known for its crime and nightlife. Pictured: A map showing where Pattaya is located in Thailand
Meanwhile, neighbors told officers they heard gunshots about three or four times, but didn’t notice anyone because motorcycles and cars often drove by the side of the road.
Police Colonel Chakkrapan said investigators will meet today Friday afternoon to review the case and possible suspects.
He added: “We are interviewing the dead man’s partner and indirect witnesses while also checking surveillance cameras along the route, but we have no footage yet.
“The police have not yet established the motive, but we have confirmed that the victim has just returned from his Christmas holiday in Thailand.
“We are investigating and have just had a meeting with some regulators and will have further discussions this afternoon. We don’t think this was a random shooting. Pattaya is a safe place and this usually doesn’t happen.”
Itthipol Itthisaronchai, police chief, said today officers are investigating the man’s “financial transactions” and who will benefit from his death.
He said: “Officers from the Immigration and Tourist Police have been called in to assist with the investigation. They will review his visa extensions and various financial transactions to find out who will receive the benefits of the deceased.
“The deceased lived in Thailand for about 20 years and was in and out of the country. He had a Thai family.
“We are ready to solve the matter. This afternoon’s meeting was production and cameras along the paths around the incident are being monitored.’ Police won’t say exactly what [the victims] Friend, she told in interviews.
She was not arrested.
MailOnline has reached out to the UK Foreign Office for comment.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
