William Douglas, 65, was being detained pending trial on charges of premeditated murder, said police Capt. Somsak Phanthong.

He admitted to shooting Gary Poretsky, 46, in the city of Chiang Mai early Saturday after the two got into an argument, the police officer said, adding that the victim suffered three gun wounds in his face and chest.

Witnesses confirmed the account and told police both men appeared to be drunk, he said.

Chiang Mai is located about 570 kilometres north of Bangkok, the Thai capital.