Thai Crime Suppression Division officers have arrested a 33-year-old British national in Pattaya over his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old Iraqi man in Phuket earlier this year. The suspect, identified only as Amir, was detained at a condominium in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, on 15 May under a warrant issued by Phuket Provincial Court on 12 February 2026.

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Police said Amir faces charges including supporting premeditated murder, jointly possessing firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms in a public place and supporting the unlawful discharge of a firearm in a community area. The arrest was ordered by senior officers from the Central Investigation Bureau and the Crime Suppression Division following an expanded investigation into the killing.

The case relates to the shooting death of the Iraqi victim on Sirirat Road in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket, on 7 February 2026. Investigators previously raided the accommodation of a Colombian suspect believed to be the gunman, seizing two firearms, ammunition, a motorcycle and clothing allegedly worn during the attack.

Police later tracked down and arrested the Colombian suspect while he was hiding in accommodation near Phuket International Airport, allegedly preparing to flee Thailand. Investigators said the inquiry later uncovered evidence that a group of foreign nationals had supplied the firearm used in the killing and delivered it to the gunman as part of a planned operation.

Authorities believe the shooting was ordered following a dispute linked to a major international drug trafficking gang. Investigators described the operation as organised and pre-planned, leading Phuket Provincial Court to approve an arrest warrant for Amir.

Officers later learned that the British suspect had fled to Pattaya, where he was allegedly hiding in a condominium. Police arrested him and seized several items believed to be connected to the case, although details of the items were not disclosed.

Daily News reported that during questioning, Amir denied all charges. He will handed over to investigators at Patong Police Station for further legal proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue examining links between the suspects and the alleged international narcotics network.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 16 May 2026

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Off topic troll post removed, discuss the topic and not a name!

Pattaya, Phuket and Brits. Common theme.

You mean the money they bring in to

Thailand every year ?

The UK charity Prisoners Abroad (which supports British citizens detained overseas) reported that Thailand became a primary focus of their caseload in 2025 due to a 57% year-on-year increase in global drug arrests involving Brits.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

Pattaya, Phuket and Brits. Common theme.

No mention of Iraqi and Columbians too?

I guess this guy must have filed his TM30 change of address form when he moved to Pattaya, and they tracked him from that.

It’s such a fail safe way of keeping tabs on every foreigner in Thailand. Well worth the bureaucracy involved./S

Edited May 16May 16 by wensiensheng

The Thai police RTP do a great job nabbing these naive assassins as they scatter thinking the trail has gone cold.

Off topic post about “red bull case” removed @mberbae

@Farage discuss the topic, not a name, there is a reminder in the topic already, yet you still choose to troll.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I guess this guy must have filed his TM30 change of address form when he moved to Pattaya, and they tracked him from that.

It’s such a fail safe way of keeping tabs on every foreigner in Thailand. Well worth the bureaucracy involved./S

Indeed whether it is in paper or electronic the fact is we can all be traced quite easily these days

And the swede with 5 sidearms in his locker. Is it any wonder they restricted ownership for foreigners

On the police's radar for 3 months and evaded detection/capture...not a bad effort............

The "Brit" has already got his face erased.

Forever to be know as Amir the Dummy. Yeah, lets not flee the country after being intimately involved in an assassination.

I am getting Bobby (from Mr Inbetween) vibes with this clown.

Big bad crime man lol, half of these fools can barely tie their own shoes.

We are getting good at these crimes + random stabbings and sexual assaults.So lucky to have been enriched this way.

Off topic troll post removed.

@Funkymover if you read through the topic you will find several moderators notices about, yet you still choose to post!

15 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Pattaya, Phuket and Brits. Common theme.

15 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Pattaya, Phuket and Brits. Common theme.

If that's the best you can do it's time to seal your post count, head for the hills and come up with a new nic.

Congratulations one more time to Thai Authorities for their promptly response.

On 5/16/2026 at 5:51 AM, jacko45k said:

No mention of Iraqi and Columbians too?

Yeah, and no disparagement of Indians and Nigerians.... did that crew leave the country?

Troll post removed @Keeenok Powell

Who's sorry now?

Why don't these young upstarts think for they act?

There are always consequences, yet these young people are always motivated by short-term gratification....

Eventually at their own expense.

On 5/15/2026 at 5:05 PM, Rockyroad said:

Pattaya, Phuket and Brits. Common theme.

You sure about that? There is a convenient double standard on display here.

On 5/16/2026 at 2:15 AM, TimBKK said:

Forever to be know as Amir the Dummy. Yeah, lets not flee the country after being intimately involved in an assassination.

I am getting Bobby (from Mr Inbetween) vibes with this clown.

Big bad crime man lol, half of these fools can barely tie their own shoes.

They don't need to tie their shoes. That's why there are loafers and velcro. All they need to do is to be able to commit their crimes until caught or terminated. There are millions of males just like Mr. Amir circulating in the west. One goes down and is easily replaced. Instead of being a UK passport holder, the next one will have a Swedish or a German or French, or a Canadian passport.

Whatever happened he was caught and now the bangkok hilton awaits.How the police found him they have their ways

Had he known the police had arrested the gunman, Amir had a 4 day window to leave the country before the arrest warrant was issued. For all he knew an arrest warrant could have been issued immediately......Tough call.............join the queue at the airport or sit it out and hope for a plan......yes, he could have just left after the supply, but that wouldn't be gangsta...................