Online Cosmetics Entrepreneur Shot Dead at Home in Trang

Police in Huai Yod District reported responding to a fatal shooting on the evening of July 30 at a residence in Huai Yod, Trang Province. Officers found the body of a 49-year-old man, identified as Mr. A (alias), lying beside the house wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts. A 9mm pistol was found between his legs. An autopsy revealed a gunshot wound to the right temple with the bullet passing through the left side of the skull. The weapon still contained seven rounds—one in the chamber and six in the magazine.

Mrs. B (alias), the victim's mother-in-law and assistant village headmaster, explained that the victim lived with his wife in one house adjacent to hers. The couple ran an online cosmetics business with their own brand. According to her account, the incident likely stemmed from a back-tax demand issued by the Revenue Department, with a scheduled appointment at the Trang Tax Office on August 6. The exact amount owed remains unknown, though it is estimated to be in the millions of baht. The couple had been selling online for over 10 years and paid taxes regularly until about two years ago, when they expanded their sales channels through TikTok Live and Shopee, triggering the back-tax claim for two years. The daughter had prepared approximately three million baht and documents for the scheduled meeting.

On the day of the incident, the victim delivered fruit to his family before returning home with a visibly tense expression. Despite attempts to comfort him, he retrieved his own pistol from a bag in his house and walked toward the back. Moments later, a single gunshot rang out. The mother-in-law expressed deep sorrow, describing the victim as a good-natured, hardworking, and well-liked member of the community, and believed the stress from the unexpected tax demand had driven him to this tragic act.