The suspect claims the shooting was provoked by years of verbal abuse toward his parents.
Phuket City Police and rescue workers were called to the scene, in Moo 4, Koh Kaew, at about 8pm.
On arrival, officers found a seriously injured woman*. She had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet passing through her eye socket.
Despite emergency CPR and swift transport to Mission Hospital, the woman succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect, Natchipong Laokham, 27, fled the scene but later surrendered at Phuket City Police Station.
Described as hot-tempered with a prior criminal record, Natchipong reportedly admitted to the shooting and provided his account of events to investigators.
According to preliminary police findings, tensions had been simmering between Natchipong and his mother-in-law, stemming from her alleged ongoing insults directed at his parents.
Natchipong reportedly left home last night to drink at the restaurant. During the encounter, the women allegedly made offensive gestures and continued her verbal tirade, leading to a heated argument.
In a fit of rage, Natchipong used a firearm to shoot the woman once before contacting police to report the crime.
When officers did not arrive promptly, he drove himself to Phuket City Police Station to turn himself in.
Phuket Phuket Provincial Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum confirmed that Natchipong has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a weapon in public without just cause, and firing a gun in a public area without justification.
Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the restaurant and interviewing witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.
Natchipong remains in custody as police prepare to proceed with legal action.
The operators of the bar and restaurant issued the statement: “The incident happened around 8pm on 12th December 2024. We believe both parties were known to each other and were Thai nationals. We applaud our staff who went above and beyond and did what they could at the scene, including initiating CPR.
“A person has been arrested. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this tragic time and we are cooperating fully with the police on this matter. We are unable to comment any further as this is an ongoing investigation,” the statement concluded.
* The Phuket News has withheld the name of the victim from a request from the family.