Chiangmai Guesthouse Murder Review

[Buff-horns]

Wednesday, 3 August 2005, 05:57 GMT 06:57 UK

Family to visit Thai murder scene

Kirsty Jones was on a round-the-world backpacking trip

The family of murdered backpacker Kirsty Jones is preparing to fly out to Bangkok as authorities announce they are to hold a full review of the case.

The 23-year-old from Tredomen, near Brecon, was raped and strangled at a Thai guest house on 10 August, 2000.

She was on a two-year trip round the world at the time of her death.

Five years on from the murder, Kirsty's killer remains at large following an investigation by Thai police which has been heavily criticised.

'Major breakthrough'

Kirsty's mother Sue and brother Gareth will be accompanied by two officers from Dyfed-Powys Police in talks with Thai officials. They fly out of Sunday.

Initially they will meet the Royal Thai Police and staff from the British Embassy in Bangkok, before visiting the Aree guest house in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where Kirsty was murdered.

It will be the first time that Kirsty's family has visited the country in South East Asia.

Kirsty was three months into a two-year trip around the world when was raped and murdered at the £1-a-night guest house.

The police investigation has been dogged by incompetence with Thai officers criticised after the murder scene was contaminated and vital forensic evidence destroyed.

Picture of Kirsty Jones' mother Sue

Kirsty Jones' mother Sue is due to travel to Thailand

Speaking before making her first visit to the scene of her daughter's murder, Sue Jones said: "We're going to Thailand because it's the fifth anniversary (of the killing) and because the Thai police have agreed to review the case.

"This is a major breakthrough and one of the reasons why we're going".

She added: "We're going to Chiang Mai to visit the guesthouse for personal reasons - we're going where Kirsty was."

It is hoped the visit will spark new evidence which five years on could lead to the killer.

"We are very grateful they (the Thai police) have agreed to do this", Mrs Jones added.

She added that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office had been "very supportive".

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and a family friend, said: "I believe there's a change in Thailand at the moment.

"The direction given to the Royal Thai Police is to get on and be aware that the murderer could be either a Thai national or a foreign visitor - not to leave any stone unturned and certainly not to draw any conclusions without the proper evidence being provided."

During the investigation into Kirsty's murder, a number of men have been arrested but released without charge.

Dyfed-Powys Police became involved in the investigation in September 2001 after Kirsty's family became frustrated at the way Thai police were handling the hunt for the killer.

Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins said the meetings with Thai officials would provide "an opportunity to discuss the case and how the review will proceed."

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