Slain Briton's Body Recovered

[geriatrickid]

There's enough blood spilled already without folks demanding the execution of these 3 kids. It seems lost on some that the local fishing captain and community is what turned these kids savage. For those that are unaware, the conditions on the fishing vessels are harsh. Children as young as 14 can end up on them and after a couple years of abuse and trauma become seriously screwed up adults. Long term ostracization with denial of education and basic social rights along with exploitation is the culprit. This doesn't justify the brutal murder, but puts it in perspective. Killing off the slaves brings a quick end to the public saga, but unless something else is done, the tragedy will be repeated again.

I certainly hope people don't hold the deceased and his wife responsible, since they were innocent victims. No one should be expected to roll out the welcome mat for thieves.

However, had these kids asked for food, would any of the angry mob in here been willing to share some with them? I doubt it. There are just so many angry bitter expats that take joy in the suffering of the locals.

When it comes to preventing abuse and exploitation, Thailand sux. Perhaps, that's why so many foreigners like living here........

[Paulab]

I agree with Fred re Spikes ridiculous comment. Having fallen in love with Thailand on the usual "two/three holiday" read and digested all the dos and donts, I decided to buy land and build and retire there. However, by no means equated to the situation of the Robinsons, I was mugged by four 'lads' in broad daylight with no assistance from any other Thai person or farang! I later, despite being extremely charitable to any workers employed by my Thai project manager, was ripped off, had belongings, money and then subjected to huge embezzlement by the the people I was so genuinely respectful and charitable to! The Police of course not interested (Thai you see, NOT as they prefer to say 'Burmese' !). My opinion has changed now of Thailand - behind the smiles are a much deeper reason for being your 'friend' - money.

What saddens me is that is I fell in love with Thailand as did the Robinsons and now it makes me synical that I could ever fall in love with any other asian country either now.

Its like a relationship..... takes a long while to know the good and the bad..... the whole story.

Linda - my heart goes out to you. I would protect my hard earned belongings too.

and yes, why didnt those lads (as they are said to speak Thai, Burmese & English) just apologise for the intrusion, say they were hungry and ASK for some food.

Total rubbish!!! I hope true justice is done and we are rid of people like this in the world.

[torrenova]

and yes, why didnt those lads (as they are said to speak Thai, Burmese & English) just apologise for the intrusion, say they were hungry and ASK for some food.

Total rubbish!!! I hope true justice is done and we are rid of people like this in the world.

Very good point. Utter <deleted> as you rightly point out as they were purely thieves as their stolen and recovered booty shows.

Yet again though, the do gooders will harp up about their tough lives and poor conditions etc. In my world, however hard your own life it does not give you the right to steal or attack people because they have something you want and are often far too lazy to work for.

Furthermore, you also point out that the vast majority of Thais will not lift a hand to help non Thais in most matters. Quite true. Pictures of the Thais wanting to beat these murderers has nothing to do with them feeling bad at Mr Robertson's murder, not one iota, but they were very concerned at the bad press and the effect it might have on their future ability to plunder the tourist coffers. Most couldn't give a toss about us, they only want our money.

[geriatrickid]

I decided to buy land and build and retire there.

My opinion has changed now of Thailand - behind the smiles are a much deeper reason for being your 'friend' - money.

and yes, why didnt those lads (as they are said to speak Thai, Burmese & English) just apologise for the intrusion, say they were hungry and ASK for some food.

Total rubbish!!! I hope true justice is done and we are rid of people like this in the world.

I was unaware that retirees were able to buy land in Thailand. Condos yes, but land? Was this a legal transaction? The Thai authorities do not usually assist foreigners that circumvent land ownership laws.

Do you think the attitudes towards swindling in Thailand are any different than elsewhere? There's a financial crisis throughout the world because plenty of greedy Americans and Europeans decided to screw people. The difference in Thailand is that the rip offs are on a smaller scale.

You demonstrate a profound ignorance on the subject of economic disparity. This is how the poor and chronic abused behave. It is all they know. People's vehicles are carjacked on a daily basis in South Africa, the most prosperous of African nations, the haves hunker down in guarded enclaves protected from the have not slum dwellers in Brazil. Wherever there is economic enslavement and exploitation, there are manifestations of senseless violence as the slaves sometimes escape from their penury and bondage.

True justice necessitates the prevention of violence and marauding kids. You can kill off these 3 kids, but they will be replaced tomorrow by more violent versions that won't leave any witnesses behind next time to ensure that they are not identified.

[spidercat]

There is an awful amount of bitching at each other going on here and a few of the judge, jury and executioner breed about- Its fine to have an opinion of course, but lets not get too bitter folks! Its a terrible crime that's been committed and our thoughts must really go out to the friends and family of Mr Robertson, especially to his wife having to endure such a heinous act.

After you have been here a while, you will realise that it is quite normal for the average punter to get home at 12:00 midnight, and go on a holier than thou rant. It doesn't mean they actually think before they post, it's just they have so little else in their lives. Just grin and bear it and welcome to the nuanced world of Thai Visa.

Thanks for the welcome Considered Opinion. I assume you are referring to yourself getting home at midnight, many farang that I know live out in the sticks where the villages shut down at 8:00pm!

One more thing mate- I haven't been here for 'a while' but in the time I have been here I have learnt that you should stick to the thread topic when submitting posts, too many people seem to think they can just post insults and spelling lessuns.

Once again......My sincere condolences to friends and family of Mr Robertson, best wishes and good luck rebuilding your shattered lives and may Mr Robertson rest in peace.

[Patsycat]

That woman has more balls than all or you put together,

[ComicBum]

Tragic of course for all involved, but why is it that people who "love Thailand" and spend three years travelling here not try to understand some simple dos and don'ts in Thailand?

It looks like this poor man was violently killed and put his wife's life at risk of being killed also as he reacted to the situation by being "Jai Ron". This whole problem can be seen every night in Pattaya and many die and are seriously injured for the very same reason but with less publicity.

Hey, the story is about a couple anchored at sea, not sitting on bar stools in sleazeville pattaya.

When someone boards your vessel unannounced it does not evoke a smiling "sawat-dee".... it is a shoot first ask questions later situation.

I wouldn't even blink while blowing those boys overboard with my Glock 17.

Everybody knows that boats at sea are never approached without fair warning. Those boys may have been hungry,but I doubt if that was their only motive. Jai-Ron , Jai-Dee .. how about Dead or Alive... jezzes!

[geriatrickid]

When someone boards your vessel unannounced it does not evoke a smiling "sawat-dee".... it is a shoot first ask questions later situation.

I wouldn't even blink while blowing those boys overboard with my Glock 17.

Everybody knows that boats at sea are never approached without fair warning. Those boys may have been hungry,but I doubt if that was their only motive. Jai-Ron , Jai-Dee .. how about Dead or Alive... jezzes!

Do you live in a fantasy land? How you can blame anyone for acting in a civilized manner is beyond comprehension, except to say that you are on the same level as the thugs that murdered the gentleman. Were you there? Do you know the actual circumstances? And yet there you are to blame the victims. Brilliant piece of reasoning.

So you want to engage in a shoot first strategy do you? Are you prepared to accept the consequences of of such stupidity? My colleagues have boarded vessels unannounced on occasion and had someone shot at them, the law enforcement agents assigned would have returned fire. The usual practice is to announce beforehand, but in their case they were looking for smugglers carrying contaminated contraband and did not have the luxury of announcing lest the material be jettisoned. They boarded the wrong vessels a few times. That's an extreme example. What happens if you get an inexperienced person that doesn't announce but just figures he'll approach. Will you shoot first and then run away when it turns out you aerated an innocent person? what if the intruders are armed and they return fire. if someone has loved ones on board, do you think it's prudent to risk a gun battle? Do you not think that had these intruders been armed and there was gun fire that the widow would now be dead as well? Didn't you ever take firearms training or did you just buy a gun to make you feel important. The first thing they teach someone in the military and the police is that a firearm must be used prudently and responsibly. Your shoot first strategy would have earned you a few hours on the drill pitch and then a visit for psychological assessment. You do not discharge a weapon until you have a verified hostile target. Sidearms are not overly accurate and in the hands of an excited fool rarely hit their intended target when fired. Ohh but let me guess, you are ex special forces and could have handled the situation perfectly. My training NCO would have shredded you for saying that in his course.

[ClaytonSeymour]

there is NO excuse for these actions, they are criminal ones.

Exactly & there's only one punishment which fits a crime like this - DEATH!

[fredKroket]

there is NO excuse for these actions, they are criminal ones.

Exactly & there's only one punishment which fits a crime like this - DEATH!

Agreed, an eye for an eye. No excuses about depravation and hunger, they knew how to fish and no one repeat no one in Thailand starves. There is an abundance of food everywhere you look, whether it's mango or coconut in the trees or fish in the sea. Geriatrickid, don't be senile and stand up for these criminals it reminds me of the drunk fisherman on Samui who raped and killed a backpacker from the UK a few years back, no excuses and maximum penalty.

[jackspratt]

there is NO excuse for these actions, they are criminal ones.

Exactly & there's only one punishment which fits a crime like this - DEATH!

Come on Clayton - you're going soft on us. Not turning into a trendy, PC, left-wing liberal are you?

In days of yore you would have been calling for plucking their eyes out, 1000 lashes, rod hot poker up the date, and disembowelling - all before they are executed

[Freddie_fly]

When someone boards your vessel unannounced it does not evoke a smiling "sawat-dee".... it is a shoot first ask questions later situation.

I wouldn't even blink while blowing those boys overboard with my Glock 17.

Everybody knows that boats at sea are never approached without fair warning. Those boys may have been hungry,but I doubt if that was their only motive. Jai-Ron , Jai-Dee .. how about Dead or Alive... jezzes!

Do you live in a fantasy land? How you can blame anyone for acting in a civilized manner is beyond comprehension, except to say that you are on the same level as the thugs that murdered the gentleman. Were you there? Do you know the actual circumstances? And yet there you are to blame the victims. Brilliant piece of reasoning.

So you want to engage in a shoot first strategy do you? Are you prepared to accept the consequences of of such stupidity? My colleagues have boarded vessels unannounced on occasion and had someone shot at them, the law enforcement agents assigned would have returned fire. The usual practice is to announce beforehand, but in their case they were looking for smugglers carrying contaminated contraband and did not have the luxury of announcing lest the material be jettisoned. They boarded the wrong vessels a few times. That's an extreme example. What happens if you get an inexperienced person that doesn't announce but just figures he'll approach. Will you shoot first and then run away when it turns out you aerated an innocent person? what if the intruders are armed and they return fire. if someone has loved ones on board, do you think it's prudent to risk a gun battle? Do you not think that had these intruders been armed and there was gun fire that the widow would now be dead as well? Didn't you ever take firearms training or did you just buy a gun to make you feel important. The first thing they teach someone in the military and the police is that a firearm must be used prudently and responsibly. Your shoot first strategy would have earned you a few hours on the drill pitch and then a visit for psychological assessment. You do not discharge a weapon until you have a verified hostile target. Sidearms are not overly accurate and in the hands of an excited fool rarely hit their intended target when fired. Ohh but let me guess, you are ex special forces and could have handled the situation perfectly. My training NCO would have shredded you for saying that in his course.

I have worked at sea for 29 years, I have worked on a merchant vessel that was boarded by pirates. before you jump up and say it is fine to approach and board a vessel without prior identification, perhaps you could take a little time and read a few publications, namely by the IMO and other regulatory bodies. There is NO acceptable reason to board a vessel at sea without prior agreement or notification, unless you are boarding it with guns drawn and the law on your side (as you say in a roundabout way). A vessel at sea is sovereign, so anyone onboard may without recrimination attempt through any means available to repel boarders. If you are boarding a vessel at sea without authorisation you are, in effect, entering the country of its flag nation without permission. That may be all very well in the good ol USA, but you will find scant sympathy in most of the world. Boarding a vessel at sea is akin to entering someones property and we all know how that turns out in America.

regards

Freddie

[cyborg22]

.

I have worked at sea for 29 years, I have worked on a merchant vessel that was boarded by pirates. before you jump up and say it is fine to approach and board a vessel without prior identification, perhaps you could take a little time and read a few publications, namely by the IMO and other regulatory bodies. There is NO acceptable reason to board a vessel at sea without prior agreement or notification, unless you are boarding it with guns drawn and the law on your side (as you say in a roundabout way). A vessel at sea is sovereign, so anyone onboard may without recrimination attempt through any means available to repel boarders. If you are boarding a vessel at sea without authorisation you are, in effect, entering the country of its flag nation without permission. That may be all very well in the good ol USA, but you will find scant sympathy in most of the world. Boarding a vessel at sea is akin to entering someones property and we all know how that turns out in America.

regards

Freddie

Well said Feddie

I'm not sure if you forgot the word piracy in your dialogue

[Freddie_fly]

I did Cyborg, my vessel is currently working in West Africa, we have done work off Nigeria and had a Security specialist give us a briefing before we entered Nigerian waters. He was a very hard looking little guy with ex SAS written all over him. Piracy is now the 'in vogue' crime, attacks have increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Its a sobering sight when you go to sea and notice the emergency button in the Captains cabin and on the bridge. I really feel for the lady who lost her husband, but we are constantly taught to barricade and stay inside if boarders make it onto the vessel. If they make it into the accomodation areas then we are told to give them what they want and try not to antagonise. Personally I know many of the crew would like to have the opportunity to use weapons, but that is not a policy that is available to us, although recently I believe a crew fought off pirates off the horm of Africa using home made bombs (molotov cocktails).

Freddie