Thailand murder: UK man and wife found dead in suspected 'contract killing by brother-in-law'

The bodies of a British man and his wife have been found in northern Thailand after a suspected contract killing.

The man’s brother-in-law has been arrested on suspicion of ordering their murder, while two other suspects have also been held.

The remains of 64-year-old Alan Hogg – understood to be a retired engineer from Edinburgh – and his 61-year-old Thai wife Nhot Suddaen were found at their home. It came after a major missing person search.

Authorities had to use diggers to retrieve the bodies. The pair, who had been together for 30 years, were said to have been dead for a week.

Manas Kerdsukho, the police commander for Thailand’s Phrae province, said Mr Hogg was shot with a shotgun and Ms Nhot died after being bludgeoned on the back of the head, shattering her skull.

They had travelled back and forth between the UK and Thailand for most of their marriage, before settling in Thailand in 2014. Mr Hogg and Ms Nhot had one daughter.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "Our staff are providing support to the family of a British couple who have died in Thailand and we are in contact with the local authorities."

Additional reporting by agencies.