Phuket Crime

[pagallim]

For the last few weeks, we've had various references to the economy downturn, both locally and globally. There's also been various comments about the potential of increased local crime due to higher levels of unemployment etc. For me, the story below captures most of the concerns, i.e. I would think that it's fairly safe to say the these particular individuals are not from Phuket (how could they live with the family shame if they were caught) from their approximate age and the nature of the robbery, they are probably unemployed and desperate (how else would anyone rob and kill an old lady for a gold necklace???). The lady was actually killed within her own "secure" housing estate! Lesson to everyone I think, times are a changing, and personal security should be foremost in everyone's mind, without going OTT, just sensible precautions.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Snatch bandits rob, kill elderly woman in Phuket

WICHIT, PHUKET: In one of the most heinous crimes in Phuket in recent memory, Phuket City Police are searching for two motorcycle-borne snatch bandits who stabbed an elderly woman to death on Thursday afternoon and made off with her gold necklace.

Phuke City Police Inspector Wijak “The Magnet” Tarom told the Gazette the attack was reported to police at about 4pm on Thursday by a call on the emergency 191 hotline number.

Arriving at the scene with rescue workers from the Phuket Ruamjai Kupai Foundation, police led by Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit found the body of 71-year-old Oranuch Thamrong lying face-up in the middle of soi 7 of the Jomthong Thani housing estate, off Kwang Rd in Tambon Wichit.

The elderly woman had died from blood loss caused by deep lacerations to her right arm and torso.

Lying on the ground about five meters away was the victim’s Honda Wave. Plastic bags carrying food had spilled out all over the road where the motorbike crashed and a trail of blood led from the motorbike to the victim’s body.

Next to the victim’s corpse were a mobile phone, wallet, pair of glasses and sandals that fell off during the attack and subsequent crash.

Crying hysterically by the victim’s body was her daughter Jurairat, who was inconsolable while police and rescue workers prepared the body for transport to Vachira Phuket Hospital for examination.

Stunned witnesses and neighbors told police that the victim was a highly-respected member of the community who always helped out and got along with neighbors.

The victim had gone out on her motorbike to buy food when she was set upon by two people on a blue Honda Click motorbike without a license plate. They followed her in from the entrance to the estate, they said.

The driver, who appeared to be a woman aged 25 to 30, was dressed in a cream-colored long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a green motorcycle helmet.

The passenger, who carried out the assault, was a bald man wearing a red, short-sleeved shirt and blue shorts. His age was estimated at 30 to 35 years.

According to witnesses, the pair followed the victim and tried to snatch her belongings.

When she resisted, they stabbed her in the arms and torso, causing her to crash. The bandits got off with the victim’s three-bahtweight (45 gram) gold necklace, but left her other valuables on the road by her body as they sped away, Lt Col Wijak said.

Police are conducting a thorough investigation, he said, adding that they have useful images of the bandits captured by a closed-circuit television camera at the entrance to the estate.

– Kamol Pirat

[ivowatson]

Every LOW season, crime soars! Most people have a job between November and April but get laid of starting May. They all need money to survive. So more robberies etc. And very often, if you hand over your stuff, no problem, if you resist, violence. This year (I hope I'm wrong) it will be worse. Times are a changing indeed. If driving a motorbike (especially at night) avoid the roads between Patong and Kamala, Kata and Rawai, Phuket Town. As I think of it, you shouldn't go anywhere at night. Be safe.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I will NOT hand anything over, that way it will for sure never stop, i will take the chance if they try on me.

[geriatrickid]

Last year there were multiple violent robberies on the stretch of road referenced above. I don't think anyone needs a crystal ball to know what's going to happen over the next few months.

So, has anyone considered opening a store retailing body armour?

[SoiGirlHunter]

I agree HD, i dont plan on handing anything over, unless i am very out numbered or have guns pointed at me.

I carry a kobaton and have a boxing background. And of course i will try to escape first.

I'll fight a lone knifeman with my kobaton.

[Damaz6052]

Hi

I will NOT hand anything over, that way it will for sure never stop, i will take the chance if they try on me.

I am the same I am not giving them anything If they try anything while I am riding my bike they'll be in for a nasty surprise...

It's a terrible shame about that senior citizen it happens in Australia as well.

[Valentine]

If the true crime statistics in Phuket & the rest of the country were published the figures would show a quite horrific picture not to mention all the ones which go unreported due to a lack of trust, inactivity, undertstaffed, investigative methods etc.

I agree with GK in that it is quite obvious crime will rise including the minor ones of short changing & over charging.

[katabeachbum]

Crime is rising in LOS, and espesially in Phuket. A few gold diggers have moved here from all over LOS. I usually dont have more than 20k in my pocket, and would hand it over. They could have my gold watch too, oh forget no have. Then I would waste them

[tixe]

I too feel that it will be a very bad season for violence. Although I am concerned about my own personal safety, I'm more concerned for my partner. I will do all I can to 'reduce' the risks. Let's just hope the high season comes quickly regarding these matters of violence and the drop in occurances. Good luck to all. Be on your guard.

[chickencurry]

Dreadful story. I note all the macho replies but I think if you are elderly and female then maybe you're not going to have the strength to fight back. What a couple of low-lifes - really sickening. I've been reading reports recently of this kind of thing going on in other parts of south-east Asia and was hoping it wouldn't start up here.

And this happened on a "secure" housing estate? How did they get in? They need to review their procedures urgently. It doesn't sound very secure to me. The one I live on is "gated" with security guards. They only let in residents (vehicles marked up or cards issued) and anyone else, after checks, has to leave their ID cards or passports at the security gate. Nowhere is 100 percent safe of course, but I don't think this "secure housing estate" is one I'd want to live on.

[starkey_rich]

Dreadful story. I note all the macho replies but I think if you are elderly and female then maybe you're not going to have the strength to fight back. What a couple of low-lifes - really sickening. I've been reading reports recently of this kind of thing going on in other parts of south-east Asia and was hoping it wouldn't start up here.

And this happened on a "secure" housing estate? How did they get in? They need to review their procedures urgently. It doesn't sound very secure to me. The one I live on is "gated" with security guards. They only let in residents (vehicles marked up or cards issued) and anyone else, after checks, has to leave their ID cards or passports at the security gate. Nowhere is 100 percent safe of course, but I don't think this "secure housing estate" is one I'd want to live on.

Sounds like you live in a prison camp to me, not my idea of living but everyone's different.

[chickencurry]

Sounds like you live in a prison camp to me, not my idea of living but everyone's different.

Not at all - it's just called security. We go in, we go out - no probs. And bear in mind we are retired - we will probably get older. Views change as you get in your senior years.

[HDRIDER]

Dreadful story. I note all the macho replies but I think if you are elderly and female then maybe you're not going to have the strength to fight back. What a couple of low-lifes - really sickening. I've been reading reports recently of this kind of thing going on in other parts of south-east Asia and was hoping it wouldn't start up here.

And this happened on a "secure" housing estate? How did they get in? They need to review their procedures urgently. It doesn't sound very secure to me. The one I live on is "gated" with security guards. They only let in residents (vehicles marked up or cards issued) and anyone else, after checks, has to leave their ID cards or passports at the security gate. Nowhere is 100 percent safe of course, but I don't think this "secure housing estate" is one I'd want to live on.

Just to let you know, i am not macho, but why the hel_l should i give MY money away????

Also for security, i have never been stopped in any secure estate, most time when they see a Farang they will let you in (OK i dont think its Farang there rob the people but you never know)

Forgot: tell me where you live and i am sure i can get in without living any ID behind

Edited May 17, 2009 by HDRIDER

[amanda76]

It sounds like L&H.

This is a sad story. I hope the Magnet catches them quick.