Despite the sign outside the shop stating mini-mart in English, in Thai and Chinese it actually states the premises is a souvenir or beauty product shop.
Ms Wei Lang, 23, was shot dead in the early hours of Friday morning when sat drinking with her husband and friends inside the store. (See story here.)
Speaking about the case yesterday (July 10), Col Akanit Danpitaksan, Superintendent at Phuket City Police Station said that after checking CCTV footage from the crime scene area they believe two people are responsible for the murder of Ms Wei, however, they must collect more evidence before arrest warrants can be issued.
Pol.Col Akanit went on to say that a business conflict between the owner of the shop and another group could be a possible motive for the shooting as they have leaned that an increasing number of Chinese tour groups have been taken to the store to purchase souvenirs.
“We believe that it is teenagers who shot Ms Wei, but we do not believe they intended to kill her, just intimidate the shop owner,” he said.
“We expect to have more solid evidence by next week, and that we will have the suspects in for questioning by this time,” he added.