Pol Lt Col Eksak Kwanwan of the Karon Police was informed of the shooting, on Khok Tanod Rd, at 4:14am.
Also responding to the call were Karon Police Chief Pol Col Khundet Na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Pol Lt Col Wiwat Chamnankit.
The officers were told that a “good citizen” discovered the man, later identified as Anupong Panpeng, 30, on the ground in front of the hotel on Khok Tanod Rd and rushed him to hospital.
However, Mr Anupong was later pronounced dead.
Police began their investigation, and believed that Mr Anupong was slain by a shotgun.
The perpetrator was seen fleeing the scene on a black-gold Yamaha Fino motorbike, license plate unknown.
The officers tracked down the motorbike, later confirmed to be registered in Phang Nga, and arrested Khanamporn Srisakda, 32, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, at a rental house.
Police are continuing their investigation before formally pressing any charges.