Police have launched a manhunt for a British man accused of murdering his wife near their Thailand hotel before going on the run.
Anthony James Condron, 56, from Witham, Essex, allegedly murdered Pattanee Urapanom, 43, with a 9mm handgun at their hotel resort before fleeing the scene.
Officers found her body at the Janpanom Farm Stay in Maha Sarakham, Thailand, earlier this morning.
Her body was reportedly lying face up on a motorcycle. Police moved her to the ground for CPR to be performed, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers from the Don Wan district station believe that Condron shot his wife while she was mounting the vehicle to ride away.
Police checkpoints were placed around the area in a desperate bid to catch Condron, who has lived in Thailand for more than ten years.
Police Major General Paladech Petwango said: ‘The victim was a well-loved member of the community due to her friendly nature and volunteering work with schools and charities.
‘Her friends and family are in shock. They are overcome with grief and cannot understand how this happened.
‘Based on the tracked route, we found that the suspect fled the scene and travelled to Khon Kaen province and abandoned his white Isuzu vehicle.
‘We coordinated with the Immigration Bureau, the regional Investigation Division, Maha Sarakham Provincial Police, and several agencies to assist in the manhunt.’
Police questioned neighbours who claimed they had heard the Brit shouting at his wife before the gunshots were fired.
The officer added: ‘The neighbours did not understand what the argument was about because the couple were speaking in English. They said that the couple had argued frequently prior to the incident. The husband has a history of violence.’
Police say Condron also carries a firearm, which has prompted the urgent search to find him over fears for public safety.
Officers have requested an arrest warrant for international homicide to charge Condron.
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