RAF officer and woman shot by hitman on bike

AN RAF officer and a British woman were shot in a Mafia-style attack while on holiday in Thailand, it was confirmed last night.

Wing Commander Don Brown and the woman, who has not been named, were shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman on Tuesday while they were on holiday in Cha-Am, south of Bangkok, with an eight-strong tour party.

Both were recovering in hospital in Bangkok, where their condition was said to be "not life-threatening". Their' insurance companies were making arrangements last night to fly them home to Britain for further treatment.

A Foreign Office spokesman said they were innocent bystanders when the gunman struck. A man has been arrested by local police in connection with the incident. "The British nationals appear to have been unfortunate victims of a local incident," he said.

Wing Cdr Brown, 43, who was on holiday with his wife, is based at RAF Kinloss, Grampian.

"We are giving his wife and family all the support we can at the moment," an RAF spokesman said.

"The forces community is very strong and I am sure he will be getting a lot of support and help from his colleagues," he said.