SAMUT SAKHON - A man shot and killed his next door neighbour in a dispute apparently stemming from their conflicting political views, and aggravated by alcohol, cigarette smoke and a noisy gate.

Police said they received a report of a fatal shooting in front of a house in tambon Om Noi of Krathum Baen district on Monday night. 

At the scene, police found the body of Sophon Purachaka, 50, a local gift shop owner, in a pickup truck. Weeping next to the man were his wife and a teenage daughter, according to a report in Matichon. 

The investigators also recovered a spent 9 mm-calibre bullet case from a nearby plant pot.

Sophon was killed instantly as the bullet went through his left eye socket, according to the report.

The police identified the gunman as Kraisorn Jathong, 30, a cell phone shop owner, who lived next door. He has yet to be found and is apparently on the run with the weapon used in the crime.

According to a witness, the two men used to be friends but in recent years had often got into small arguments over some disagreement, mainly their political differences.

Prior to the shooting, Mr Kraisorn was drinking sitting on his pickup truck while Sophon was outside smoking a cigarette. Mr Kraisorn was reportedly drunk and became irritated by the smoke and a noise made by the deceased man's house gate. He pulled out a Glock pistol and fired at his neighbour at close range, the witness told police.

The body was being taken to Siriraj hospital for a post mortem examination.

Police said they have begun a search for the suspect and have asked relatives to convince him to turn himself in if he contacts them.

Related search: crime, political differences, murder, tobacco, alcohol