Narathiwat police chief Prayong Kotsakha said the 33-year-old victim, Fuad Fahmie Ghazali from Pasir Mas, allegedly failed to settle a debt of several thousand ringgit owed to a former Kelantan FA footballer, who is the main suspect in the case.

“The victim and suspect have had multiple disputes over the debt since last year, which were previously resolved with the help of friends and family,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

He said that a third altercation occurred this month, leading to the shooting in Sungai Golok.

Fuad was rushed to Sungai Golok Hospital but was pronounced dead later that evening. His pregnant wife said that according to the hospital her husband had 18 gunshot wounds.

Thai police arrested a 31-year-old suspect when he surrendered at a local police station on Nov 2, and seized two pistols.

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat had previously said the victim had been convicted of four drug offences since 2020.