PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN - A jealous loan shark shot dead his girlfriend and her male colleague he mistook for her new lover, and then killed himself, in Hua Hin on Friday, police said.
The murders occurred at the construction site of a resort at Khao Takiap village, said Pol Lt Col Chaiwat Suebyiew, investigator at Hua Hin police station.
Police and rescue workers called to the scene about 11.30am found the body of a woman, identified later as Sarocha Rakkaew, a 26-year-old construction worker, lying near a partially built wall. She had three gunshot wounds to the chest and another in her right arm.
Not far from her body, another construction worker, Chatthong Amphanthong, 29, was lying dead with multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
Workers told police the gunman was Suchin Rimkhuen, Sarocha's boyfriend.
Suchin, a 48-year-old loan shark, had arrived at the site on a motorcycle. He parked and went to look for his girlfriend. Shortly after, they heard gunshots and then saw Suchin run to his bike and flee on it.
While police were still inspecting the crime scene, they were informed by radio that a man had been found dead at his house nearby in tambon Nong Kae.
Police went to the two-storey house and found Suchin's body near the door of the house. A 9mm Beretta pistol was found by his right hand.
Pol Lt Col Chaiwat said Mr Suchin was a wealthy man. He earned his living as a loan shark, serving people wanting to mortgage their motorcycles for cash.
He was also a jealous man and often quarrelled with his girlfriend. When he arrived at the construction site he found her working alongside Chatthong. He mistakenly believed the man was her new lover, pulled out a gun and killed them both.
After returning home, Mr Suchin took his own life, Pol Lt Col Chaiwat said.