UTHAI THANI - A retired police officer was shot dead dead in front of his home on Wednesday morning, and police say it's not clear whether the motive was political -- or the consequence of an old love affair.

Pol Lt Col Udon Jongputtana, 65, was active in politics and ran for office but lost, his wife told police.

He occasionally vociferously complained about and criticised the Uthai Thani mayor and her party.

Police said he also visited a woman on Monday, whom police identified as his lover when he was a working police officer.

Witnesses saw Pol Lt Col Udon walking towards his house after a routine jog. Suddenly, two men appeared on a motorbike and one of them fired several shots at close range.

The shooter also fired several shots towards bystanders before the motorcyclist took him away.

Police saiod they were concentrating on finding out who hired the gunmen.

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