A Canadian man whose bullet-ridden body was found early yesterday at a resort in Phuket was wanted by the authorities in India, says Pol Lt Gen Amphon Buarabporn, chief of Provincial Police Region 8.
He said the man came to Thailand in 2016 and was in Phuket on Jan 27. Police are tracking down two gunmen involved in the murder.
They believe the motive behind the killing is a conflict over an illegal business.
The body of Indian-born Mandeep Singh, who was shot at least 10 times, was found about 6.30am by a cleaner working for the resort on Wiset Road in Muang Phuket district, police said yesterday.
The man was found lying face-down behind a red MG hatchback with Phuket licence plates. Police believe the man had died at least six hours before his body was discovered.
The murder took place around 10.30pm the previous night and was caught on a security camera, police said, adding that two hooded gunmen were seen emerging from a bush and then opening fire on the victim who was about to leave the resort in his car.
A preliminary investigation found the two gunmen stayed at the resort and were believed to have been hired by someone to kill the victim, police said.
The victim was shot at close range, police said, adding the attackers both appeared to be foreigners, based on their height.
A number of illegal products were found inside a villa rented to the victim, police said. Details of the products were withheld while the police investigate the murder.