Taiwanese businessman shot

WICHIT: The Taiwanese owner of a fish export business is fighting for his life at Phuket International Hospital after being shot by unknown assailants on Chao Fa West Rd yesterday morning.

Phuket City Police Duty Inspector Pol Lt Sathid Noorid identified the victim as 48-year-old Hsueh Hsu Sheng, a resident of Baan Suan Thai housing estate off Chao Fa West Rd.

Mr Sheng and his wife, also Taiwanese, were pulling their car out of the housing estate onto the main road when two men on a motorbike pulled alongside. The man riding pillion pulled out a 9mm pistol and fired once, the slug passing through Mr Shen’s arm and lodging inside his upper torso, Lt Sathid said.

As the two assailants sped away on the motorbike, Mr Shen’s wife drove her husband to Phuket International Hospital, where he was last reported in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

The couple has lived in Phuket for about five years, during which time Mr Shen has operated the Tai-Ping Timbee Industry Co Ltd at Phuket Fishing Port on Srisutat Rd in Rassada, Lt Sathid said.

Lt Sathid said the victim’s wife was still too upset to face questioning and that police had yet to name any suspects.

“We can’t say at this point whether the attack was carried out by a gunman for hire or what the motive might have been.

“However, it seems clear that they were trying to kill, not just intimidate. We hope to learn more after we question the victim’s wife, but we need to give her some time first,” he said.

The wife, whose name was not disclosed, was not harmed in the attack.

Mr Shen appeared to be the assassins’ sole target, Lt Sathid said.