Gang violence Phuket shooting death

Police believe they have found the weapon that killed Swede

Thai police believe they have found the weapon used in the shooting of a man in Phuket on Saturday, writes the Bangkok Post. According to several Swedish media, the victim is a Swedish gang criminal.

The man, who is in his 25s, is said to have been shot by a man wearing a motorcycle helmet outside his hotel.

A man in his 40s was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of the crime.

Thai police have carried out a search of the suspect's hotel room where they found both a motorcycle helmet and the suspected weapon.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed to TT on Sunday morning that it is aware of the information that a Swedish man has been shot in Thailand, but that the embassy in Bangkok is still investigating it. 

Suspect: 39-year-old shooter hired from South America

The man arrested on suspicion of murdering a Swedish man with gang connections in Thailand has been recruited from abroad for the crime, Thai police say, according to the Bangkok Post.

The 39-year-old man was arrested on Sunday at a residence near the airport in Phuket. He is suspected of murder, among other things.

According to the police, the man is a Colombian citizen, and has probably traveled to Thailand to commit the murder for payment. The crime is believed to be linked to a criminal conflict. The weapon used in the crime is said to have been given to the 39-year-old by a local contact.