IPOH: A 55-year-old Malaysian man suffered serious injuries after he was shot in Betong, Yala Province, Thailand on Saturday.
Pengkalan Hulu police chief Deputy Superintendent Zulkepli Ibrahim said the incident happened near a 24-hour convenient store at Jalan Chantharothai at 9pm (Thailand time).
Zulkepli said the man, from Kampung Padang Tamat, Pengkalan Hulu, was riding a motorcycle when he was shot three times by an unknown man in front of the store.
"The man sustained injuries to his stomach and thigh and is currently being treated at the Betong Hospital," he said when contacted.
Zulkepli added that the suspect, believed to be a Thai national, fled the scene and the police were intensifying efforts to identify and locate him.
"The case is being investigated by the Thai police to determine the motive behind the attack, whether it was a personal dispute or business-related," he said.
It is learnt that the victim has been travelling to Betong from Pengkalan Hulu for years as he has a Thai national wife, besides having an entertainment business in Betong town.
Zulkepli added that the victim had prior criminal records involving drugs in the country.