Ex-Con, Friend Confess To Attack On Chinese Tourist

[Lite Beer]

Ex-con, friend confess to attack on Chinese tourist

By Ekkapong Praditpong

The Nation on Sunday

CHIANG MAI - Police have arrested a former convict and his girlfriend on suspicion of assaulting and robbing a Chinese tourist at Chiang Mai's famous Wat Chedi Luang on January 25, an attack that prompted China to warn its citizens to avoid travelling to the northern city.

The 19-year-old suspect, Natthapong Chaithep, and his girlfriend, Net-amporn Insao, 21, were brought by police to re-enact the crime at the temple at 10am yesterday while Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul and the Chinese consul-general in Chiang Mai were present. Natthapong confessed that he, his girlfriend and another friend had robbed and attacked tourists walking alone about 20 times in the past two months to get money to buy drugs and go out clubbing.

On January 25 Guangdong tourist Liu Siew Hong, 36, visited the temple to watch monks perform morning prayers. A young couple on a motorbike approached her and one of them hit her on the head with a wooden club before stealing 1,500 yuan, 200 Hong Kong dollars and Bt5,000 in cash, amounting to about Bt13,150 in all. The tourist was seriously injured and hospitalised for a week.

Natthapong, who was jailed in 2010 for robbery and released under a Royal pardon two months ago, was caught committing the attack on a security camera. An investigation led police to search Natthapong's dorm on Ratchachiangsaen Road where they found the duo along with the club, the brown jacket he wore on the day and the motorcycle used in the crime.

The robbery prompted the Chinese Consulate to issue a warning on its website that Chiang Mai was a dangerous city that Chinese people should avoid unless necessary. The Chinese Consul-General said they wouldn't cancel the warning yet but would announce that police had arrested the offenders and that Thai authorities were serious about solving the crime. He said the warning didn't prohibit tourists from visiting Chiang Mai, but urged them to be cautious. He urged Thai authorities to provide more security at tourist attractions.

Panadda said the attack and subsequent warning had negatively affected Chiang Mai tourism hence the province would urge the Tourism Authority of Thailand to notify all countries that Thai authorities were serious about crime and would try to prevent it.

-- The Nation 2012-02-12

[chiang mai]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

[Riley'sLife]

^^^^ ..plus a touch of Thai anxiety in the need to repair the lawless reputation the North as demonstrated in the handling of the slain Chinese boatmen last year on the Mekong, amplified by the fact that China's tourism to Thailand in the future will be of far greater import than the Farang numbers ever have been.

[Nisa]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

+1

[Lifer]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

[kurnell]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

Are you on at a comedy club anywhere? What nights, I'll see if I'm free?

[moe666]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

At present the Chinese are far bigger than the farang tourist from the western countries.

[Nisa]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

LMAO ... doom and gloom Thai comedy at its best

[chiang mai]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

[chiang mai]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

At present the Chinese are far bigger than the farang tourist from the western countries.

You think!

[Reasonableman]

This low-life showed zero appreciation for his early release. Let's hope he serves out his prior sentence and is given a harsh punitive sentence to boot. No more soft glove and empathy for this dog. He has shown none for others.

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

At present the Chinese are far bigger than the farang tourist from the western countries.

You think!

[geriatrickid]

It will be interesting to see if the assailant has a yaba habit.

[Reasonableman]

In what way interesting?

It will be interesting to see if the assailant has a yaba habit.

[EyesWideOpen]

I was a bit surprised at the concept of unleashing 10,000 felons into Thai society due to the Royal Pardon system, and said so in an earlier post. Unfortunately, this crime is an outcome from that action. Thailand must be careful of China. . Western tourists have freedom to travel, and their embassies can only issue warnings. China is authoritative, and could stop all Chinese travel to Thailand with the stroke of pen tomorrow.

[noitom]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

It's true that these remarks and problems could be applied to any Western country. Thailand does however distinguish itself with a total disregard for rule of law and its application. Thailand's corruption element woven in to its national cultural DNA sets it apart from Western countries. The similarities of problems should not be excused away and Thailand's "response" and lack of effective response to these problems is a major differentiator and why these remarks regarding Thailand's sinking might have a basis.

[Kilgore Trout]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

What a ridiculous post; the article states that these people did this 20 (reported) times.

Read the article before you make stupid comments, please.

[Nisa]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

What a ridiculous post; the article states that these people did this 20 (reported) times.

Read the article before you make stupid comments, please.

Please see your own comments and take your own advice:

From the article:

The robbery prompted the Chinese Consulate to issue a warning on its website that Chiang Mai was a dangerous city that Chinese people should avoid unless necessary.

[anterian]

" was caught committing the attack on a security camera", why was he attacking a security camera?

[Unkomoncents]

Rather, I would blame western consulates for not standing up for their citizens the way the Chinese government has clearly done. The article states that the Chinese consul was at the temple for the police-re-enactment. As an American, I feel the like the U.S. has a "Well, you left America..."/som nam na-type attitude towards Americans in Thailand. The U.S. Embassy wouldn't send a representative to watch the police in Thailand do their polic-ing. Good for China for putting the fuego under Thailand's a*s for a change. It's very nice to see that someone, somewhere, forced the Thai police to actually live up to their responsibilities (albeit in a minor, post-mortem-type way). Go China!

[supaprik]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

Bullshit mate..... Go to 99.9% of cities in Australia ( i cannot speak about other countries ) and you won't be scammed, beaten over the head with club,stabbed, murdered or thrown out of a condo window... never ceases to amaze me the utter crap that comes out of some peoples mouths....

I have lived in Thailand for years and YES the situation with regard to violence is getting worse, but on a positive not many many things have improved also, I do not know that answer to Thailand's issue and I will not pretend to know the fixes but I do know that comparing Thailand to West is totally a moot point!!

[z12]

I suppose the Thai tourism agencies will march on the Chinese embassy now. Highly doubtful.

"Tourism agencies eye march on embassy over US terror warning"

http://www.thaivisa....terror-warning/

[metisdead]

A post containing a racist generalization has been removed.

7) Not to post slurs or degrading comments directed towards any group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[Bakseedaa]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

Yes, you are dead right... and downward it goes... Burma here I come...if I can get my business sold... ??

[Nisa]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

Bullshit mate..... Go to 99.9% of cities in Australia ( i cannot speak about other countries ) and you won't be scammed, beaten over the head with club,stabbed, murdered or thrown out of a condo window... never ceases to amaze me the utter crap that comes out of some peoples mouths....

I have lived in Thailand for years and YES the situation with regard to violence is getting worse, but on a positive not many many things have improved also, I do not know that answer to Thailand's issue and I will not pretend to know the fixes but I do know that comparing Thailand to West is totally a moot point!!

BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA TOP U.S.IN VIOLENT CRIME

http://www.wnd.com/2001/03/8340/

... Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized.

And by the way, Thailand and Australia are not that statistically different when it comes to robberies per capita and Australia far outpaces Thailand with burglaries, rapes and assaults per capita. In fact Australia rates #1 in the world for Burglaries and Assaults.

[chiang mai]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

Bullshit mate..... Go to 99.9% of cities in Australia ( i cannot speak about other countries ) and you won't be scammed, beaten over the head with club,stabbed, murdered or thrown out of a condo window... never ceases to amaze me the utter crap that comes out of some peoples mouths....

I have lived in Thailand for years and YES the situation with regard to violence is getting worse, but on a positive not many many things have improved also, I do not know that answer to Thailand's issue and I will not pretend to know the fixes but I do know that comparing Thailand to West is totally a moot point!!

A bit strong but we'll let it go!

"Western countries", as in US, Europe and UK!

Note: I also have lived here in Thailand for years, nine of them!

[chiang mai]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

What a ridiculous post; the article states that these people did this 20 (reported) times.

Read the article before you make stupid comments, please.

Post #17 addresses your failings I think so I wont repeat!

[z12]

So one Chinese tourist gets hit over the head and the Chinese Consulate issues a warning to tourists which negatively affects tourism, hmm, can you imagine the effect if Western countries were to do the same thing every time a similar "event" took place involving a Western tourist in places such as Phuket or Pattaya! Methinks this has more to do with the esteem that China is held in rather than any thing else.

What a ridiculous post; the article states that these people did this 20 (reported) times.

Read the article before you make stupid comments, please.

Don't you find it interesting they did this 20 times to other nationality tourists that did not issue a travel warning. But they do it one time to a Chinese tourist and China issues a warning.

I wonder if the Thai gov't will say they are overreacting like they did about the terror warnings.

Highly doubtful.

[chrisinth]

Rather, I would blame western consulates for not standing up for their citizens the way the Chinese government has clearly done. The article states that the Chinese consul was at the temple for the police-re-enactment. As an American, I feel the like the U.S. has a "Well, you left America..."/som nam na-type attitude towards Americans in Thailand. The U.S. Embassy wouldn't send a representative to watch the police in Thailand do their polic-ing. Good for China for putting the fuego under Thailand's a*s for a change. It's very nice to see that someone, somewhere, forced the Thai police to actually live up to their responsibilities (albeit in a minor, post-mortem-type way). Go China!

What does the American embassy do here in Thailand? I think you will find that they would intervene.

As dispicable as the attack was, it is one attack out of a country populated by 70 million people. Re enactments of crimes are the norm here in Thailand; if the Chinese representitive attended then he is another character in the show.

[chrisinth]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

Bullshit mate..... Go to 99.9% of cities in Australia ( i cannot speak about other countries ) and you won't be scammed, beaten over the head with club,stabbed, murdered or thrown out of a condo window... never ceases to amaze me the utter crap that comes out of some peoples mouths....

I have lived in Thailand for years and YES the situation with regard to violence is getting worse, but on a positive not many many things have improved also, I do not know that answer to Thailand's issue and I will not pretend to know the fixes but I do know that comparing Thailand to West is totally a moot point!!

Think maybe you have lived in Thailand for years without going home. I would seriously query your percentages!

[xthAi76s]

Thai society is in a downward spiral that is going to destroy the fabric of this country. Take into account the political, the lack of good leadership, economic problems, the drug problems, flooding, the sensless killing, and problems in the education ssystem and prison system, the outlook is not good.

I'm glad other countries are putting out travel warnings. To the traveler, these conditions are not apparent, but to all those who love and live here, the problems are very real.

You could be talking about the troubles in any Western country currently, Thailand is no different in having the same.

Bullshit mate..... Go to 99.9% of cities in Australia ( i cannot speak about other countries ) and you won't be scammed, beaten over the head with club,stabbed, murdered or thrown out of a condo window... never ceases to amaze me the utter crap that comes out of some peoples mouths....

I have lived in Thailand for years and YES the situation with regard to violence is getting worse, but on a positive not many many things have improved also, I do not know that answer to Thailand's issue and I will not pretend to know the fixes but I do know that comparing Thailand to West is totally a moot point!!

BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA TOP U.S.IN VIOLENT CRIME

http://www.wnd.com/2001/03/8340/

... Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized.

And by the way, Thailand and Australia are not that statistically different when it comes to robberies per capita and Australia far outpaces Thailand with burglaries, rapes and assaults per capita. In fact Australia rates #1 in the world for Burglaries and Assaults.

Once again with these numbers from the internet. Why is it that we often don't seem to understand that these silly statistics are:

1) only as accurate as the systems they use to gather the information and

2) the number of criteria meeting acts reported?

Does ANYONE here who has lived here think that you can count on a 3rd world country (recently industrialized, if you prefer) to report accurate numbers on any national scale -- esp where the statistics reflect poorly on the country? Esp a place like Thailand where -

1) tourism is a huge part of it's development,

2) FDI is responsible for the vast majority of it's 'progress' over the last 5 decades or more,

3) the concept of FACE is central to most things?

And, before you say something like "well, these stats were collected by [insert whatever international agency] (which is a reliable source)", please know that these agencies do not operate with complete freedom within sovereign states and must depend (sometime quite heavily) on local systems, and certainly people to arrive at the statistics.