THE ITALIAN man shot dead on Phuket last night has been named today as prominent businessman Luciano Butti, 60, by Italian website tgcom.it.
From 1997 Mr Butti ran Ciao Bella, a popular restaurant on Phi Phi, and was the author of a book on the 2004 tsunami that devastated the region.
Phuket police were carefully examining a laptop found in his room at the Dara Hotel in Phuket City today for clues to his killers. He was gunned down late last night in a remote part of Phuket.
Police are looking for several men they believe fled the scene of the killing in a white sedan.
Police have yet to find the man's passport but it may be on Phi Phi. Mr Butti, who also had property-real estate interests, travelled frequently between Phuket and Phi Phi.
Mr Butti had lived in Thailand since 1991 and had a narrow escape during the tsunami, which killed more than 800 people on Phi Phi, more than 300 on Phuket, and about 5400 in Thailand.
''After the terrible experience he had written a book entitled 'Tsunami: Sorry I am not a writer but a survivor,' and donate the proceeds to the survivors of the island,'' the Italian online report said.
Phuketwan understands Mr Butti was in the final stages of reaching a court settlement after divorcing his second wife, a Thai. It is believed he has several children.
Mr Butti was shot at least three times about 10.30pm last night near the turnoff to Bang Pae Waterfall in Pa Klok. Police are focussing on a business deal gone wrong in looking at a motive.
On a dating site, where he gives his age as 48, Mr Butti describes himself this way: ''I am an Italian that and I live alone happily in a tropical island of Thailand where the sight flows serene. I work in my restaurant Italian-thailandese and I have some bungalows for my clients. I am a honest and sincere person, faithful (monogamous), practical sport (frisby, beachvolley and diving) I have written a book and I will perhaps write another. I like to travel. I have a beautiful life but I look for a young and beautiful women (for me important) that wants to share my life.''
Phuket Murder: Italian Shot Dead Near Phuket Waterfall Had Phi Phi LinksFrom 1997 Mr Butti ran Ciao Bella, a popular restaurant on Phi Phi, and was the author of a book on the 2004 tsunami that devastated the region.
Phuket police were carefully examining a laptop found in his room at the Dara Hotel in Phuket City today for clues to his killers. He was gunned down late last night in a remote part of Phuket.
Police are looking for several men they believe fled the scene of the killing in a white sedan.
Police have yet to find the man's passport but it may be on Phi Phi. Mr Butti, who also had property-real estate interests, travelled frequently between Phuket and Phi Phi.
Mr Butti had lived in Thailand since 1991 and had a narrow escape during the tsunami, which killed more than 800 people on Phi Phi, more than 300 on Phuket, and about 5400 in Thailand.
''After the terrible experience he had written a book entitled 'Tsunami: Sorry I am not a writer but a survivor,' and donate the proceeds to the survivors of the island,'' the Italian online report said.
Phuketwan understands Mr Butti was in the final stages of reaching a court settlement after divorcing his second wife, a Thai. It is believed he has several children.
Mr Butti was shot at least three times about 10.30pm last night near the turnoff to Bang Pae Waterfall in Pa Klok. Police are focussing on a business deal gone wrong in looking at a motive.
On a dating site, where he gives his age as 48, Mr Butti describes himself this way: ''I am an Italian that and I live alone happily in a tropical island of Thailand where the sight flows serene. I work in my restaurant Italian-thailandese and I have some bungalows for my clients. I am a honest and sincere person, faithful (monogamous), practical sport (frisby, beachvolley and diving) I have written a book and I will perhaps write another. I like to travel. I have a beautiful life but I look for a young and beautiful women (for me important) that wants to share my life.''
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I interviewed him in 2007 for TV11 and he put VDO on his website ciaobellaphiphi (dot)com under tsunami section. He was very friendly, active and popular, and will surely be missed by friends and family. RIP
Posted by GrantPhuket on March 16, 2011 20:48