Phuket Cops Speak On Tourist Murders

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Phuket cops speak on tourist murders

Norwegian sea captain Simen Sparre Knudsen (pictured above) had been coming to Thailand for 30 years before he was stabbed to death in Rawai in September, 2007. His killers remain at large. File photo.

PATONG, PHUKET: -- Patong's most senior cop says perceived injustice, drunkenness and robbery attempts are the three factors that lead Thais to assault foreigners.

Kathu Police Superintendent Grissak Songmoonnark says it is important to examine the underlying causes of Thai-on-farang violence.

The comments come just after the announcement of Col Grissak's transfer from the bright lights of Patong to Phang Nga's sleepy Kuraburi district in the latest police reshuffle.

They also follow a number of attacks on tourists in Phuket and other parts of Thailand.

In early January, Canadian tourist Ivan Anwar got into a punch-up with a tuk-tuk driver following an argument over fares.

More recently, a 32-year-old Thai man confessed to stabbing elderly German expat Wolf-Dieter Kesselheim to death in an apparent case of road rage.

Two weeks earlier, another German man was shot dead after 'giving the finger' to a Thai motorist in Chiang Mai.

"We should look at why Thai people are doing this," said Col Grissak, who doesn't believe Thai people are predisposed to random acts of violence.

"It's impossible that they're stabbing or harming people they don't know for no reason. Thai people are naturally nice."

Col Grissak said Thais sometimes attack foreigners if they feel feel cheated or under attack.

"Lately there was the case of the tuk-tuk driver beating up the foreign tourist because of the fare," he said.

"The tourist agreed to the fare before taking the tuk-tuk, but when he got to the destination he thought it was too nearby and didn't want to pay so much. At the same time, the tuk-tuk driver was angry that he didn't get the amount of money that had been agreed," he said.

Col Grissak moved on to the murder of Wolf Kesselheim, whose funeral took place on Wednesday.

"The case in Chalong of the German being stabbed to death began when the German didn't notice the Thais' bike and nearly crashed into them," he said.

"Then they chased him and honked at him, so the farang gave them the middle finger. The case was down to neither side showing any kindness to the other."

A second common cause of such incidents are drunken tourists, Col Grissak said.

The third and least common cause was when tourists fight back during robbery attempts, he said.

"If foreigners think they haven't been treated fairly, the best thing for them to do is inform police or call related organizations like the Tourist Police on the1155 hotline number," he said.

Chalong Police Superintendent Chinnarat Ritthakananon, who is also getting transferred off Phuket later this month, said tourists needed to follow the rules of the road and be kind to other drivers.

"They should educate themselves about the place they are visiting, especially dangerous places," he added.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-02-05

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[ThailandTommy]

Rather a one sided response, missing some relevant facts.

In early January, Canadian tourist Ivan Anwar got into a punch-up with a tuk-tuk driver following an argument over fares.

He fails to mention why the Canadian got into the fight? could it be that the Thai was attempting to overcharge him to such an extent that it was felt necessary to remonstrate with the tuk-tuk driver?

"It's impossible that they're stabbing or harming people they don't know for no reason. Thai people are naturally nice."

Foreigners also do not tend to pick arguments and fight with people for no reason, particularly if they are a guest in that persons country. There are and always will be exceptions to the rule.

Col Grissak moved on to the murder of Wolf Kesselheim, whose funeral took place on Wednesday.

"The case in Chalong of the German being stabbed to death began when the German didn't notice the Thais' bike and nearly crashed into them," he said.

"Then they chased him and honked at him, so the farang gave them the middle finger. The case was down to neither side showing any kindness to the other."

Less kindness shown on the side of the 32 year old man who whilst accompanied by 2 of his friends stabbed to death a man more than twice his age, because the man dared to stand up to them by apparently guesting with his finger. Of course the victim is not here to defend his actions or give his side of the story

"Lately there was the case of the tuk-tuk driver beating up the foreign tourist because of the fare," he said.

"The tourist agreed to the fare before taking the tuk-tuk, but when he got to the destination he thought it was too nearby and didn't want to pay so much. At the same time, the tuk-tuk driver was angry that he didn't get the amount of money that had been agreed," he said.

I will agree that it could be said that after agreeing a price it should be honoured, however I would suggest that you still have the right to re negotiate if you have been blatantly over quoted. If the money involved were known it may well through a different light on the matter

Of course you can simply ask for the tuk-tuk/taxi driver to wait while you;

"If foreigners think they haven't been treated fairly, the best thing for them to do is inform police or call related organizations like the Tourist Police on the1155 hotline number,"

Thailand is no worse than many Western countries but it does not offer the support to victims of crime or their families.

In this particular report Police Superintendent Grissak Songmoonnark is attempting to justify his fellow countryman's actions.

As for this comment;

Superintendent Chinnarat Ritthakananon, who is also getting transferred off Phuket later this month, said tourists needed to follow the rules of the road and be kind to other drivers.

"They should educate themselves about the place they are visiting, especially dangerous places," he added

I won't bother going into driving experience/skills, I think it is obvious why he is getting transferred?

[LivinLOS]

"We should look at why Thai people are doing this," said Col Grissak, who doesn't believe Thai people are predisposed to random acts of violence.

"It's impossible that they're stabbing or harming people they don't know for no reason. Thai people are naturally nice."

Col Grissak said Thais sometimes attack foreigners if they feel feel cheated or under attack.

Yet more excuses and deflecting of blame..

I notice he didnt seem to mention the tuktuk driver beating up a family with an iron bar because they parked in a public parking spot ?? That was cheating him ?? Or he was under attack ??

[Murgatroyd]

Patong's most senior cop says perceived injustice, drunkenness and robbery attempts are the three factors that lead Thais to assault foreigners.

I note that he didn't explain his injustice comment... could it be that he feels that it's inherently unjust that Farang tourists and ex-pats seem to have more money than local young that men.

He obviously feels that the muggers have a perfect right to kill anyone who fights back... "You shouldn't fight back... our muggers are naturally nice... Don't try and cheat them out of your money"

[onnut]

Where will they be transfered to? I hope it's nowhere near Bangkok or Pattaya. Idiots, the both of them.