A Pakistani man and his Thai wife have been arrested for allegedly murdering an Indian man over a business dispute in Phangnga.
Pol Maj Gen Niphon Panitcharoen, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, announced on Sunday that the arrests followed the discovery of a foreigner’s body on the side of a road in tambon Lo Yung, Takua Thung district on May 15.
Police identified the deceased as Poulose Varghese, an Indian citizen. Varghese had entered Thailand on April 19 along with a 32-year-old Pakistani man named Yasir Ashfaq, who is now the primary suspect in the murder.
Investigations revealed that Varghese and Ashfaq co-owned a business in Dubai. Additionally, Varghese had a stake in a tour company owned by Ashfaq’s 39-year-old Thai wife, who is the second suspect.
Police suspect that the couple deceived Varghese into investing in their businesses. When Varghese discovered the fraud, the suspects allegedly began plotting his murder.
Surveillance footage shows the suspects transporting Varghese from a car to the location where the murder occurred.
On Sunday, officers searched the suspects’ house in tambon Khokkloi, Takua Thung district, and found significant evidence, including a gun and the victim’s shoes and clothes.
The car used to transport Varghese to the murder site was located at the suspects’ condominium in Phuket’s Muang district.
