Son shoots mother after drunken row in luxury Bangkok condo

In a scene that had all the hallmarks of a Greek tragedy, a 41-year-old businessman shot and killed his 65 year old mother and threatened to murder his wife and two children after a drunken row broke out in a luxury condominium in Bangkok.

Kelvin Shuo Gao, an Australian citizen, shot his Chinese mother Xing Liu twice to the body while under the influence of alcohol at an exclusive apartment complex in the Watthana district on Friday night.

Thong Lor Police, led by Police Colonel Duangchot Suwancharas, were called to the scene after members of the public alerted officers that they had heard two shots ring out from apartment 179/275 on the ninth floor of the Supalai Place Condo, on Soi Sukhumvit 39, Sukhumvit Road near the Khlong Tan Nuea area of Wattana District in Bangkok.

At first, there was a standoff between the police and the man who would not surrender. Instead, Shuo Gao threatened to kill himself, his wife, seven year old son, and two year old daughter. He later calmed down and surrendered the alleged murder weapon, a 9 millimetre Colt revolver.

Happier times with his family.

Police arrested the 41 year old businessman and seized a number of BB guns.

Shuo Gao appeared before Bangkok South Criminal Court on Saturday charged with killing his mother on Friday, July 29, and having an illegal handgun. He was remanded in custody.

The body of the man’s mother was taken to the Police General Hospital where an autopsy will be carried out as part of the criminal investigation.

Xing Liu has lived in Thailand for several years and had attained Thai citizenship.

She was the owner and director of Sunhui (Thailand) Co. Ltd., a plastic factory that produced plastic pellets in the Sam Khok District of Pathum Thani province. It is reported she was also the Vice President of the Thai Trade and Industry Association.

Shuo Gao, from Melbourne, Australia, has lived in Thailand for the past 12 years, admitted he had shot his mother because of business pressures.

He revealed he was the managing director of a LED lighting business but confessed he reported to his mother who controlled all the businesses. He added this created a lot of tension and anxiety.

The police successfully applied to the court for the continued detention of Shuo Gao and they objected to bail.

SOURCE: Thai Examiner