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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:48 p.m., Monday, March 24, 2008

Hawaii man shot dead in Thailand

Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand — Police in Thailand say a man from Hawai'i has died after an Australian man allegedly shot him during a quarrel.

Capt. Somsak Phanthong says 46-year-old Gary Poretsky was allegedly shot three times by 65-year-old William Douglas during an argument inside a restaurant in the northern city of Chiang Mai on Saturday morning.

Witnesses told police both men appeared drunk.

Phanthong says Poretsky suffered gunshots to his face and chest. Hawai'i TV stations KGMB and KITV both reported Poretsky is from the Big Island.

According to police, Douglas admitted to the slaying and is being held on charges of murder.

Chiang Mai is located about 350 miles north of Bangkok, the Thai capital.