The Colombian suspect in the murder of an Iraqi man shot in the back in Patong on Saturday evening was arrested in Thalang district in the early hours of Sunday.
Police said the man was arrested in Thalang district about 3am as he was preparing to flee the country.
The suspect was identified as Fernando Estaid Guevara Sanchez, 39, a Colombian national.
The victim, Ameer Mundher Mahmood, 24, an Iraqi national, was shot in the back at close range while standing near a parked motorcycle opposite a hotel in tambon Patong shortly before sunset.
The victim was rushed to Patong Hospital where he later died, police said.
Police launched a major search for his killer.
After identifying the suspect, police learned he arrived in Phuket on Jan 19 and was scheduled to leave Thailand on Sunday at 8.40am on a Qatar Airways flight. Police then went to Phuket International Airport.
About 2.40am on Sunday, police learned the suspect had fled to accommodation near the airport. Officers found him and arrested him.
Police said the man may have been hired from abroad to kill the victim, who was reportedly involved in a dispute related to illicit business activities. The gun used in the murder was believed provided by contacts in central Thailand.
