Graphic pics and comments removed.

That's utterly utterly horrific.

I only hope they shot him in the temple first and didn't make him suffer.

How humans can act this way to other humans makes no sense to me.

I agree, stop speculating! The Clouseaus and Poirots that infest this forum get very tiresome very very quickly.

My condolences to his family.

RIP Steve................

Lets hope there is a proper investigation.

Khon Kaen police and forensics, not the local Banphai force have been involved in this, and the investigation is on going. Banphai has changed a lot over the years, not for the good.

A very sad situation! But it serves us all to be mindful. It doesnt matter how long you have resided in the LOS, things can turn for the worse very quickly. Never drop your guard.

RIP Steve................

Lets hope there is a proper investigation.

I also hope that it started a week ago when the murder occurred... and is not now just beginning because it finally was revealed in the foreign press.

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I extend my condolences to the family of the victim. As other posters have reiterated, it is useless to speculate on what happened in this case but clearly it was not a random killing. I truly hope that the Police get a resolution, find the killer so this man's family can achieve closure.

Speculations, motives, guesses...........I still can't believe that someone will be shot for fun.

There is definitely more behind this sad story.

Let the BIB's do their job; if they really want they will get the shooter(s).

I wish all the victims' friends and relatives a lot of strength.

First - RIP - really down about the number of violent endings to lives reported this year.

Yep - 'if they really want' - interesting phrase. I have local evidence about a violent criminal being apprehended only after the mayor was involved - collared with such speed that everyone involved came to the conclusion that the BiB had known all along who the perpetrator was but had no burning desire to pull him in. This led to the general feeling that in many if not most cases, the BiB do know a lot even when they appear not to. This comes from their deep local knowledge starting at the village level - after all, the LoS is not exactly an environment where it's easy to be completely secretive. Sometimes wonder if not only do they know who has got a gun in their 'hood, but even know the make and how much ammunition they have...

R.I.P Mr Stephen Phillips and my sincere condolences to your family and friends I hope that the police do their job well and catch and convict the perpetrators of this horrible crime.

Very sad!

Cowardly attack, but not unusual.

It seems that Thais save face by hiding and acting as thugs...

Sad to see a productive member of the society being cut down in this manner.

condolences to the family...

Rest in peace and condolences to family.

I didn't know you Stephen, but a shocking way to die and even more traumatic shock for Friends and Family. RIP to you and my thoughts and prayers are with those who are left behind, that knew you.

Absolutely terrible!

RIP

Graphic photos in the Thai media, I won't say 'show', but 'highly hint towards' it being an execution.

I can only guess and presume the unfortunate man had assets and investments here.

RiP.

I repeat yet again, rent in Thailand, do not buy.

RiP ol' fella.

You know sometimes I question why I am still here ! 17 years now I have been around Thailand from Phuket to up here now in Yaso. Seems every day when you look on the web or some forum or another things like this are becoming a regular occurrence ! Never look the wrong way at these people, do not peep your horn or shout out of your car, do not step of the line in the sand. We all think we are bullet proof here but in fact we are the "packy's" and not really liked but more tolerated. Mind how you go and God bless to the family of this yet another sad statistic. R.I.P.

Why is life so cheap here ? supposed to be a nation of Buddhists .

Why is life so cheap here ? supposed to be a nation of Buddhists .

Land of illusions for the easily self-tricked.

I've been living in Thailand for almost 4 years now, but will be returning back to the U.S. for good on Tuesday. I'm not leaving because of any dislike for Thailand.. it's just time for me to go back to the U.S. for various reasons.

While I never had any violence directed towards me during my stay in Thailand, I will say I won't miss the feeling ... a feeling of concern, let's say.... about if I ever ran into trouble (such as having to defend myself if a Thai person did get violent with me), that it would be very possible that police would take the side of the Thai person.. that I couldn't rely on justice. Thailand is certainly not like the West, where, in general, we can rely on some degree of fairness and justice, e.g., with police.

I do think life is cheaper and corruption is deeper here than in the Western countries we expats are from.

RIP and sincere condolences to the family and friends.

The levels of personal violence seem to be escalating in all countries, which is very sad to see.

RIP and sincere condolences to the family and friends.

The levels of personal violence seem to be escalating in all countries, which is very sad to see.

RIP, I hope the people are found.

I keep a pretty low profile here. Been here for 4 years now. But go home once a year. I like it in Thailand and do not feel threatened for the most part.

I am appalled by the recent violence.

So sad, deepest sympathy to the family. RIP

+1

Why is life so cheap here ? supposed to be a nation of Buddhists .

Much of the heart of Buddhism is lost here. I've gone to do personal meditation retreats here in Thailand at a couple of forest wats. The last wat I went to -- a forest wat--- a monk there, who spoke great english and who has been a monk for 7 years or so-- told me that much a buddhism in thailand now is is simply a business. I was at the wat for 7 days and we would talk daily. He was very saddened about how much Buddhism had simply become a business in Thailand. (I've even had other Thai people tell me this).

Many of the village wats are interested in brining in money, there is corruption in these wats, and monks do very "unmonkish" things. Many thai people who go to the wats simply go for merit (tam boon). Many thai people do not practice the heart of buddhism, just as many people in the West do not practice the heart fo Christianity.

Read a book called, "Phra Farang, " witten by a farang monk who ordained here in Thailand and disrobed after 10 years because he felt the buddhism in Thailand had lost it's heart.

This can't be any more serious than it appears on the article. A man gunned down going home.

All we can hope for is truth and justice, not speculation and trolling.

No doubt the story will develop, how about a bit of restraint in the meantime?

Agree 100% Blether.

Rest In Peace fellow 2 wheel rider Rest In Peace.

Rest in Peace pal.........Keep the red flag flying high.

Did find a little on it on a Thai website.

It wasn't really a motorbike, just a small white Honda Scoopy moped. He seemed to have been getting off (or on) his moped when shot and was still half slumped over it. The moped was still on its centre stand just a foot from the side of the house.

He was shot 4 times, in the head and abdomen once, and the leg(s) twice.

Looks like it was planned and someone was waiting outside the house in the dark for him to return.

RIP.

R.I.P. . Breaks my heart to think of what his family wud be going thru ryt now. I don't understand y do people kill each other , a stupid decision of the person who did this has brought so much sorrow to the family. I pray that the criminals who did this are caught and are given death penalty.

Dear Stephen, rather than say RIP, I say to you that I believe you are in a better place now and I am happy for you. I threw a few prayers at my lost family members, friends and loved ones who have gone before you, and asked them to look you up to help you along, if needed. They are all swell people. I will be along in due time and look you up to have a pint with you and then it's onward to better things. Keep a spot open at the "Spirits Pub". I am sure that the shites you left behind are the last thing on your thoughts and they will be along also to be greeted by you. I am certain you'll have a say in what happens next. Farewell for now.

Rest in Peace, brother!

Without more information, this can be anything : from "mistaken identity" to plain murder for whatever reason... Unfortunately it points to murder. Any explanation is just speculation!

Case can be solved, look no further than the women and the killer should be close by!

R.I.P Stephen

Steven was taken for cremation today in ban pai at 1pm thai time, and no relatives or friends have come over from England, a lot of my friends from Khon kaen went along with my tilac.

Police say they have all the evidence needed so released the body.

Steven was a decent lad, please do not disrespect him on here, he was not into any criminal activity.

R.I.P. Steve you will be sadly missed by all.