Three Arrested In Beating Death Of British Tourist

[cdnvic]

Three arrested in beating death of British tourist in Thailand

Published on Dec 25 , 2005

Three Thai men have been arrested in connection with the killing of a British tourist who was beaten to death and robbed in southeastern Thailand, police said Sunday.

James Edward Hall, 57, from the northeastern city of Sunderland, was found dead Saturday in a bungalow on Chang island's Sai Khao beach, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Bangkok.

Police said the suspects, all laborers in the area, were arrested Sunday and were being questioned.

"In the interrogation the three suspects confessed that they had beaten the victim in order to rob him of his money," said Lieutenant Colonel Supin Naoprakhone, of the Chang island police.

Supin said Hall was a frequent visitor to the island and last arrived in October./Agence France-Presse

[astral]

Judging by the Kanchanaburi fiasco they will only get a slap on the wrist.

Edited December 25, 2005 by astral

[sierra01]

Condolences to Mr Hall's family.

This is really not helping the country's reputation; murders, muggings, stabbings, deaths on public transport, rip offs, cons. Bad news. Is it me or does this type of happening seem to be increasing ever more rapidly?

[Maejo Man]

Is it just my imagination, or do the deaths of foreigners in Thailand seem to be on the increase?

[Maejo Man]

Touche Sierra, we must have pushed the post button at the same time. I thought it was just me.......

[sierra01]

It does seem to be going that way, if it's not checked it will cost Thailand a lot of money.

[Buff-horns]

Condolences to Mr Hall's family.

This is really not helping the country's reputation; murders, muggings, stabbings, deaths on public transport, rip offs, cons.  Bad news.  Is it me or does this type of happening seem to be increasing ever more rapidly?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if you check the media records going back decades its nothing new.

its been happening for years.

[Ned]

I can remember in Patong in Dec 1975, at a time when farang were thin on the ground (maybe a dozen in Patong) an Austrian guy was robbed and murdered on the beach after he went out for a walk after dinner. They caught the scumbag the next day when he tried to cash the bloke's traveller's cheques in town.

No, nothing new.

[bannork]

Ko Chang is not in south-east Thailand, it's in the east.

One of the suspects was caught playing snooker only a short distance from the crime, he said he didn't think the police would be able to track him down! He confessed to several previous robberies.

I've often noticed that murders, robberies and rapes committed by working class Thais seem to be without any forethought as to the chance of being caught; the motive, whether revenge, greed or passion overrides any sense of comeback, either morally or legally.

But they won't attack if you're in a group.

The answer is -don't be alone, as this unfortunate Englishman was. If he'd been with his friends nothing would have happened

[qualtrough]

I too don't think this type of unfortunate incident is increasing. I see two factors that may make it seem so. The first is that there are many, many times more farangs in Thailand than, say, when I first arrived 25 years ago. For example, I doubt there were any farangs on Koh Chang 25 years ago, and if there were they could be counted on one hand. Now there are thousands at any given time. The second is better reporting, especially now that we have the Internet. In the past a story like this might be a short item in the Post, Nation, or World for a day or two, and then gone. If they didn't run it, you would never hear about it unless you knew the person involved. Now this story will be on the Forum for anyone to see and recall for years to come.

In the period when I first lived in Thailand (1980-1984) I recall a DJ at the Cartier Club (I think) being shot down in broad daylight on Asoke, an AUA teacher being shot in a bank by a crazed student...There was also a lunatic who attached farangs with knives in Bangkok-fortunately no deaths. Travelling in the South by bus was hazardous, be it to Phuket or Had Yai. I had a friend who was on a bus that was robbed and in which a policeman was shot dead. I could go on--but the main point is that this is nothing new. Contrary to the 'peaceful Buddhist nation' LOS illusion Thailand is a pretty violent country with a high murder rate. Just take a look at the Thai papers on any given day. Fortunately most foreigners rarely get caught up in the kind of disputes that get Thais killed and the odds of a farang being involved in something like this is probably less than or equal to the odds of something similar happening to them in their own countries.

[sunreader]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4559150.stm

A 57-year-old Briton has died after being attacked during an attempted robbery in Thailand.

The Foreign Office named him as James Hall from Sunderland and said it was liaising with Thai police.

His body was found near a bungalow on Chang Island's Sai Khao beach resort on Christmas Eve.

Three Thai labourers aged between 18 and 20 - who had been employed by Mr Hall to build a bar on the island - have been arrested, local police said.

The would-be robbers are said to have been after some 150 euros (£102) Mr Hall was carrying.

"They did not mean to murder him, they just tried to get money from him, but then they just had fighting," Lieutenant Supin Naoprakson told the Press Association news agency.

"They just used boots, and then just hit his head - something like that."

I think some 'soft' westerners underestimate Thailands propensity for violence, it seems it can be a bit wild west at times and a lot of westerners have only seen that lifestyle on Tv so forget to be cautious when out and about.

Thailand certainly looks like paradise but people shouldn't confuse that with it actually being a paradise.

[sriracha john]

Briton beaten to death in Thailand

By Alistair Keely and Jennifer Sym

Published: 26 December 2005

A British businessman has died after being attacked in Thailand by robbers. James Edward Hall, 57, from Sunderland, was set upon by men who planned to steal his cash - believed to be about €150 (£100).

Mr Hall's body was discovered near a bungalow on Chang Island's Sai Khao beach, about 400km from Bangkok, on Saturday.

Three Thais - two aged 18 and one 20 - have been arrested, said Lieutenant Supin Naoprakson of the Thai police. They had previously worked as labourers for Mr Hall, who was building a property on the island.

"In the interrogation, the three suspects confessed that they had beaten the victim in order to rob him of his money," Lt Naoprakson said.

"They did not mean to murder him. They just tried to get money from him. But then they just had fighting. They just used boots, and then just hit his head. Something like that," he said.

"They used to work to build the bar for that Englishman. That is why they knew about where this guy was staying, and how much money he had in the wallet.

"They were arrested last night. Tomorrow, we can take them to court," he said yesterday.

Mr Hall was said to have arrived on the island in October and was a frequent visitor.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm James Edward Hall has died. We are liaising with police in Thailand and police in the UK. We are trying to trace next of kin."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the family had been informed of Mr Hall's death and were "extremely distressed". The family have requested the media do not contact them, he said.

[Heng]

Laborers. Expect justice to be swift.

[Scott]

My sympathies to the victim's family and friends.

Unlike the police officer in Kanchanaburi, I think that three Thai laborers will be treated in a much less compassionate and understanding manner.

BTW, I've been here a number of years and the crimes against foreigners does seem to be increasing. There has always been some murders, but now it is much more common. Also, the violent attacks are definitely on the rise. Very, very seldom did you hear about someone getting "mugged" violently, which now happens often enough that many cases don't make it into the news. Years back there were a lot of cons--jewels, etc. and some innovative ways of talking foreigners out of their money. There was the usual dose of "druggings" in bars etc, but the victims experienced only a headache and very light wallet.

[Buff-horns]

i recall that 2 english girls were murdered on Ko Chang back in the late 80s.

there was a huge manhunt and some fishermen were found to have done the crime.

[bannork]

The Daily News said one of the murderers who confessed to the crime was one of the labourers building the under construction bar-beer owned by the victim.

Nobody deserves to be murdered, but if you're in the sex trade as a merchant, you take your chance.

[Buff-horns]

KILLED FOR JUST £100

THREE men were appearing in court today after a Sunderland man was killed in Thailand for the sake of just £100.

James Edward Hall was beaten during a bungled robbery by a gang who had previously worked for him as labourers, according to police.

The Foreign Office confirmed the 57-year-old tourist died after his body was discovered near a bungalow on Ko Chang Island's Sai Khao beach on Christmas Eve.

Northumbria Police said Mr Hall's relations have been informed of the tragedy and have been left "extremely distressed" by the news.

Thai police said Mr Hall, who was on holiday in Thailand, was set upon by men who planned to steal cash, believed to be 150 euros, about £102.

Three Thai men – two aged 18 and one 20 – were arrested on Christmas Eve and are believed to have confessed to beating and robbing Mr Hall.

Lieutenant Supin Naoprakson told the Press Association the three suspects had all worked for Mr Hall, helping him build a property on the island.

"They did not mean to murder him, they just tried to get money from him, but then they had fighting. They just used boots, and then just hit his head, something like that.

"They used to work to build the bar for that Englishman, that is why they knew about where this guy was staying, and how much they had money in the wallet."

Mr Hall was said to have arrived on the island in October and was a frequent visitor. Police have not said which part of Sunderland he comes from.

A friend of his on Ko Chang Island declined to comment on his death.

The island of Ko Chang, Thailand's second largest after Phuket, is a tropical marine national park, located in the country's eastern Trat province, on the border with Cambodia.

Sai Khao (White Sands) Beach is the longest and busiest on the island and is lined with bar and nightclubs.

26 December 2005

from the sunderland echo

[jrincon17]

Condolences to Mr Hall's family.

This is really not helping the country's reputation; murders, muggings, stabbings, deaths on public transport, rip offs, cons.  Bad news.  Is it me or does this type of happening seem to be increasing ever more rapidly?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well guess what it looks like it happens everyday . is there no balcony here ?

[Nam Kao]

<<<<<<<<<Three Thai labourers aged between 18 and 20 - who had been employed by Mr Hall to build a bar on the island - have been arrested, local police said.

The would-be robbers are said to have been after some 150 euros (£102) Mr Hall was carrying.

"They did not mean to murder him, they just tried to get money from him, but then they just had fighting," Lieutenant Supin Naoprakson told the Press Association news agency. >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wait a minute, hold the phone........ This is BS

These laborers worked and were known to the deceased. I think they had

full intention of killing the poor guy. Why would they rob him just to be

turned into the police after. Unless they were wearing disquises......

Whats more probable (from what i have seen here) is that the competition saw

this new bar being built and did not want it cutting in on its profits.

I wouldnt open a business here on a bet

-nam

Edited December 28, 2005 by Nam Kao

[Taggart]

29 December 2005

Sunderland Today

Friends in tribute to murdered musician

FRIENDS of a talented musician who was murdered in Thailand today paid tribute to the "gentle giant".

Fifty-seven-year-old pianist James Hall, from East Herrington, who had recorded songs with Elton John, was found dead on Christmas Eve – just weeks after moving to the paradise island to start a new life.

Mr Hall, who was better known as Jimmy, arrived in Chang Island's Sai Khao beach resort in October and had been building a bar when he was brutally killed by robbers.

"He loved his music and had worked with Elton John and Kiki Dee in the 60s and 70s. Elton John said he was the best pianist he's ever worked with.

"Jimmy was well liked in the community and the one thing that people keep saying is that he wouldn't hurt a fly. He really was a gentle giant.

http://www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk/ViewArtic...ticleID=1298223

[mogoso]

Is it just my imagination, or do the deaths of foreigners in Thailand seem to be on the increase? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whist many argue the itelligence of the denezens of The US. It seems that among the many visitors to LOS, they're less likely to "fall" off balconeys, either hammer someone or get hammered to death, die in a motorcycle accident, have the misfortune to stand under the wrong coconut tree or any other natural or unnatural misfortune.

Says a lot for being ignorant.

[falux]

My sympathies also go to the victim's family and friends.

I still feel really safe here in Bangkok, compared to Europe. But I do have the impression that there is more aggressivity against foreigners.

Maybe the combination of Thai commercials and the financial superiority of foreigners is frustrating young Thai men. Maybe also the fact that on the last wedding I've been, we were about 100 foreign guys, 95 of them being with Asian girls, and 5 Thai guys with no girlfriend or wife. It would upset me if I were in my country. But I wouldn't kill anybody...

Happy New Year to all of you.

[lampard10]

Condolences to Mr Hall's family.

This is really not helping the country's reputation; murders, muggings, stabbings, deaths on public transport, rip offs, cons.  Bad news.  Is it me or does this type of happening seem to be increasing ever more rapidly?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it's on the increase. Thailand is obviously trying to catch up with the rest of the world on this. They have a long way to go though. Pehaps if it increases 100 fold then we may catch sight of America's tail.

[Nepal4me]

Is it just my imagination, or do the deaths of foreigners in Thailand seem to be on the increase? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hard to know the answer this one. Probably difficult to get reliable stats.

However, if you are a regular reader of TV, you will immediately learn of virtually every foreigner death here. Seeing all these posted articles would tend to make it seem (true or otherwise) that the rate of killings is on the rise. Before forums such as TV and others were around, we had a lower level of notice and therefore probably would not have assumed the rate was this high.

Are more farangs getting killed now or are we just more informed?

[Buff-horns]

Condolences to Mr Hall's family.

This is really not helping the country's reputation; murders, muggings, stabbings, deaths on public transport, rip offs, cons.  Bad news.  Is it me or does this type of happening seem to be increasing ever more rapidly?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it's on the increase. Thailand is obviously trying to catch up with the rest of the world on this. They have a long way to go though. Pehaps if it increases 100 fold then we may catch sight of America's tail.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ah but you are not comapring Like with Like .

Thailand leads the world in suspicious death ,murder,rape,dissaperance, of tourists.

No other tourist destination anywhere in the world has such an appaling record of crimes against tourists.

In the last 25 years of increasing tourism the figures are well into the 1000s .

[Kringle]

mogoso, you're the one that is ignorant with your response. Grow up and show some kind of respect for the dead and you might even learn how to spell words you don't know.

1 entry found for denizens.

den·i·zen Audio pronunciation of "denizens" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dn-zn)

n.

1. An inhabitant; a resident: denizens of Monte Carlo.

2. One that frequents a particular place: a bar and its denizens.

3. Ecology. An animal or a plant naturalized in a region.

4. Chiefly British. A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.

[mogoso]

mogoso, you're the one that is ignorant with your response. Grow up and show some kind of respect for the dead and you might even learn how to spell words you don't know.

1 entry found for denizens.

den·i·zen  Audio pronunciation of "denizens" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (dn-zn)

n.

  1. An inhabitant; a resident: denizens of Monte Carlo.

  2. One that frequents a particular place: a bar and its denizens.

  3. Ecology. An animal or a plant naturalized in a region.

  4. Chiefly British. A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First please look at your definitions, number 2 one that frequents a particular place, you utilize a bar for the frequent place, I utilize a country. Number three states animal, of which man is a member of, unless of course you'd be more comfortable in the vegetable category.

Secondly, the point is not to deride the dead, but a poke at those with nationalist inferiority complexes who always abase those from the US.

I look at what Europe has given the world over the past 100 years or so and what the US has, and I'll take the US.

Lets see facism, socialism and nazism, which in turn brought us such leaders as Hitler who killed or caused the death of millions, Stalin same thing. Which lead to such leaders as Mao and Pol Pot which lead to deaths of millions with the imported philosophys from Europe.

Now go ahead and defend those leaders, and the deaths they caused in the tens of millions, and I'll defend the US and its actions.

[chuchok]

mogoso, you're the one that is ignorant with your response. Grow up and show some kind of respect for the dead and you might even learn how to spell words you don't know.

1 entry found for denizens.

den·i·zen   Audio pronunciation of "denizens" ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (dn-zn)

n.

   1. An inhabitant; a resident: denizens of Monte Carlo.

   2. One that frequents a particular place: a bar and its denizens.

   3. Ecology. An animal or a plant naturalized in a region.

   4. Chiefly British. A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First please look at your definitions, number 2 one that frequents a particular place, you utilize a bar for the frequent place, I utilize a country. Number three states animal, of which man is a member of, unless of course you'd be more comfortable in the vegetable category.

Secondly, the point is not to deride the dead, but a poke at those with nationalist inferiority complexes who always abase those from the US.

I look at what Europe has given the world over the past 100 years or so and what the US has, and I'll take the US.

Lets see facism, socialism and nazism, which in turn brought us such leaders as Hitler who killed or caused the death of millions, Stalin same thing. Which lead to such leaders as Mao and Pol Pot which lead to deaths of millions with the imported philosophys from Europe.

Now go ahead and defend those leaders, and the deaths they caused in the tens of millions, and I'll defend the US and its actions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why on earth would you want to turn this into a Europe v Yank thread.You truly are amazing.

If you want to go down that line, you lot came from Europe anyway.

[Buff-horns]

excerpt from this weeks stickman ......

****************************

Sukhumvit Soi 4 is becoming a battlefield!

I met a girl tonight who told me that a ladyboy slit the throat of a farang on Soi 4. She works the street on Soi 4 and was questioned by the police about this. The police had the ladyboy's picture, but not the ID card. Then, I saw an article about a farang murder at the Omni on Soi 4 in The Nation. The story in the article is consistent with the story from the girl. The timeframe of the murder is consistent with her story. The fact that the farang was regularly taking both men and women is also consistent with her story. Evidently, the farang was severely tortured with burns and electric shocks before he was murdered. If there are two murders in a month (that we know about) on Soi 4, then there are probably many more violent incidents we never hear of. Maybe the timing of these incidents are just a coincidence, but I have to consider the possibility that lower Sukhumvit is a dangerous place.

[Buff-horns]

here is a story of a few of a serial killers victims in LOS back in the 70s

**************************************************

Sobhraj remains the number one suspect in the Bikini Murders that took place in Thailand in 1975.

One of his first victim in Thailand was Teresa Knowlton, a Seattle woman who had traveled to Bangkok on her way to Kathmandu; she was planning to study Tibetan Buddhism at Kopan Monastery. Knowlton met Sobhraj and he reportedly offered to take her to Pattaya Beach. Like many of Sobhraj's victims, her body burnt. Sobhraj is supposed to have confessed specifically to the Knowlton murder to an Australian journalist, .

Jennie Bollivar was killed not much later. Bollivar was an American who as come to Thailand to "find herself through meditation and immersion into a Buddhist lifestyle." Sobhraj had attempted to bring her into his "family" and she'd refused. Sobhraj is thought to have killed her to prevent her from telling police about his smuggling activities. Bollivar was found, wearing her flowered bikini (thus, the "Bikini Murders"), in the Gulf of Thailand near the resort town of Pattaya.

In December of 1975 Charmayne Carrou, a French woman, was found like Bollivar. The death earlier of her boyfriend, Vitali Hakim, was also later connected to Sobhraj. A Dutch couple, Henk Bintanja and Cornelia Hemker, died around the same time shortly after meeting Sobhraj in Hong Kong and following him to Bangkok. Like Hakim, the Dutch couple's bodies were burnt.

Sobhraj is thought to have left Bangkok for Kathmandu at this point, using Bintanja's passport.

In all, Sobhraj is implicated in at least 10 murders in Thailand in 1975.