A man shot his estranged girlfriend dead in friont of her work colleagues and then attempted unsuccessfully to kill himself in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Monday, police said.
Pol Lt Adisak Srisangsuwan said the tragedy began about 9am when Chaiwat Prajit, 44, who worked at a shop installing gas tanks in vehicles, went to the office of DD Auto Sale Company where his girlfriend Wimol Wangraiklang, 24, worked as a receptionist.
Chaiwat and Wimol met in front of the office counter and discussed their problem for about 10 minutes. When Wimol turned her back to him, Chaiwat shot her three times in the back with a .22 pistol, in front of other office staff.
Chaiwat then took Wimol in his arms, carried her to a Nissan March car and put her on the front seat by his side before driving off. Police gave chase in a pick-up truck.
On Pibul La-iad road, Chaiwat stopped the car and shot himself in the mouth with the .22 pistol, apparently intending to commit suicide, police said.
Instead, he was only seriously injured and was rushed to Suranaree Military Camp Hospital, where he was admitted to an intensive care unit. Wimol was already dead.
According to his friends, the two had long lived together but separated about three months ago following a quarrel.