Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 72-year-old British man took his own life in front of his wife in their home in Phon District, Udon Thani province, late on the evening of 13 April. The man, identified as David (surname withheld), reportedly said “I love you” to his Thai wife moments before fatally shooting himself under the chin with a 9mm handgun.

 

Pol. Lt. Sarawut Kamdet, Deputy Investigation Officer at Phen Police Station, received a report of a foreign man’s suicide at a residence in Ban Lao Subdistrict at around 21:20. Emergency services, including a duty doctor from Phen Hospital and a local rescue unit, were dispatched to the scene.

 

At the single-storey concrete house, officers found Mr David lying on his back with a gunshot wound under his chin. A 9mm pistol was found nearby on the sofa, along with ammunition.

 

According to his distraught wife, she had briefly gone to the bathroom and returned to find her husband loading the firearm. He then turned to her, said “I love you,” and pulled the trigger. Overcome with grief, she was seen weeping uncontrollably, with relatives on hand to comfort her.

 

Initial investigations suggest the motive may have stemmed from jealousy. Mr David was known to be highly possessive of his wife and reportedly feared she may be seeing someone else, a suspicion compounded by his advanced age. Frequent arguments on the subject were said to have occurred between the couple.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation, focusing on the origin of the firearm and conducting interviews with witnesses present at the time. CCTV footage from the surrounding area will also be reviewed to support the inquiry and ensure legal procedures are followed.

 

-- 2025-04-14