Briton critical after gun attack

[butterflyblonde]

KOH SAMUI: -- A British man and his Thai girlfriend have been seriously injured in a gun attack on a popular Thai resort island, apparently because of a land deal dispute.

A gunman entered the victims' house on Thursday night and pretended to ask the woman for directions. When the Briton came downstairs, the attacker fired on them, said police Lt Col Somphong Krutsuwan.

The Briton, who has been living on the island of Koh Samui for more than a decade, was shot twice in the chest and once in the arm. His girlfriend was shot in the leg and arm.

"The British man is in critical condition, but his girlfriend is still able to speak," Somphong said.

Police did not have the victims' names. An initial investigation showed that the motive was a business dispute.

"The victim has a conflict with fellow foreigners over the land brokerage deals on Koh Samui," Somphong said.

Koh Samui, located 330 miles south of Bangkok, is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations.

--The Press Association 2005-09-23



Shot: Mr. Gary Pearmain, resident of Koh Samui

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

Police did not have the victims' names. An initial investigation showed that the motive was a business dispute.
Shot: Mr. Gary Pearmain, resident of Koh Samui

hmm don't know his name but the papers do?

[butterflyblonde]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

hmm don't know his name but the papers do?

Yes...thought that myself, it would seem he has been identified simply because he is very well known to koh Samui regulars, perhaps someone tipped them off ?

Take at look at the source (thaivisa) and read the replys by the boardies, does anyone here know him ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=45658

[LivinLOS]

Word on other forums is that this was called on by another farang and that he has some current land beef (he has been involved with Samui land deals for many years).. One of my contacts seems to know him and claims he is a sound reliable trustworthy kind of guy..

Samui is more lawless and mafia controlled than Phuket IMHO..

[stevem]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Samui is more lawless and mafia controlled than Phuket IMHO..

Totally agree with you there, even about 6 years ago when we moved from Samui to Phuket, it seemed to be that way even back then.