Tourist Killed / Robbed While In Thailand.

[POAK]

Recently the Australia press ran a story on the sad story of an Australian Travel Agent who was mugged and killed while having her handbag snatched in Phuket.

Thai pair 'confess' to killing Perth travel agent Michelle Smith 'for $10'

• By Alan Morison
  
• From: Herald Sun, AAP
  

TWO men accused of killing Perth travel agent Michelle Smith in Phuket have confessed, saying they attacked her to get $10 to pay for drinks, Thai police say.

Thai police said the men admitted attempting to rob Mrs Smith of $10 to pay for a drinks bill at a nearby bar.

The pair, who were captured on CCTV as they rode the getaway motorcycle after slashing Mrs Smith and friend Tammee Lynn, were arrested in Samutsakhon province, near Bangkok.

Police said they have recovered the sheath of the knife, but not the murder weapon.

The arrests came in the Ban Phaeo district at 8am yesterday, police said.

The arrested men, Surasak Boy Suwannachot, 26, and Surin Taptong, 34, were transported to Phuket today.

"They were charged with robbery and murder and they both confessed," said police Major General Chanasit Vatanavarangoon.

The pair, who both fled to the mainland after the killing, were filmed by a security camera during the attack, he said.

A purple motorbike thought to have been used in the attack has been recovered at a shop in Phuket where one of the suspects worked.

It comes as Thai police earlier issued arrest warrants for two suspects in the murder of the Perth travel agent and posted a reward for information leading to their capture.

Senior officers announced the initiatives at a press conference yesterday, four days after the 60-year-old mother-of-three was fatally stabbed during a bungled bag snatch.

The investigation into Mrs Smith's murder has received a high priority with Thai Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra - a recent visitor to Australia - urging more intensity in efforts to find the wanted pair.

A reward of 300,000 baht ($9670) was offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the men.

At the time, she was among a group of 10 travel agents returning to their hotel after an evening meal.

The money has been put up by provincial police officials and the owner of the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort where the group had been staying.

Mrs Smith, from the Perth suburb of Joondalup and a veteran of the travel industry, struggled as the passenger on the bike tried to steal her bag.

She was fatally injured when he plunged a 10cm knife into her chest. Her companion, Tammee Lynn, 42, was also hurt and required stitches.

Police CCTV footage shows the men attacking the women.

Soon after Mrs Smith collapsed and despite efforts by Ms Lynn to halt the bleeding, the Perth woman died at the scene.

Police sources said the CCTV footage identified a portion of the Honda Dream 100cc motorbike's four digit number plate.

Images of the footage had also been forwarded to Bangkok for further amplification.

Growing concerns over attacks on tourists in Thailand, including the seaside resort of Pattaya, have led to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung calling for a crackdown on criminal groups operating at the resort areas.

Increasing theft and violent arguments between tourists and samlor or 'tuk tuk' drivers have alarmed tourism officials.

Four Australians were assaulted in February last year when a group of 20 tuk tuk drivers attacked the group.

One Australian was knifed but survived the assault.

Australian Ambassador to Thailand, James Wise, is to visit Phuket next week to hold talks with officials, including the provincial governor and tourism authorities, over concerns for the safety of Australian travelers.

It now appears that a couple in Brisbane have gone to the local press here and claim that they have also been victims of an attempted robbery while on holidays in Thailand.

Bracken Ridge couple faces close encounter with armed burglar in Thailand, prompts security upgrade on Phi Phi Island

• by: Bill Johnston, Northside Chronicle
  
• From: Quest Newspapers
  
• July 04, 2012 9:09AM
  

A Bracken Ridge couple's close encounter with an armed burglar has prompted a security upgrade on a Thailand island.

Belinda Horlock said she and husband Jamie had settled in for their second night during a big storm after travelling to Layana Beach Resort at Kohlanta in May and felt secure with 24 hour security guards.

Initially awaking and checking a rattling noise at 2.30am a second awakening gacve her the fright of her life.

``I thought it was my husband checking the noise and when he moved to his side of the bed I thought he was going to bed until Jamie snored next to me,'' she said.

Resolving to put distance between them and the burglar she took the opportunity to wake her husband when the burglar crouched next to her bedside and bumped a suitcase.

``I said `Jamie turn the light on someone's here' and he grabbed an umbrella and starting yelling for security and the guy jumped up wearing a balaclava and armed with a grenade and a knife and jumped out the window when Jamie was within a metre of him while I called security,'' she said.

The pair's accommodation had been upgraded during the remaining stay and the resort had recently hired a security supervisor and installed CCTV cameras.

The burglar had escaped the island.

Mrs Horlock said the incident was unusual as Kohlkata was viewed as the safest place in Thailand and staff had been apologetic and treated them well.

However, she was more security conscious and awoke abruptly at night.

An estimated 700,000 Australians visit Thailand each year and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade lists Thailand as a place to use a high level of caution.

It got me wondering, when there is any type of incident that happens to a foreign citizen in Thailand, do other citizens from the same country come out of the wood work to tell their stories…

[theoldgit]

This story, sad as it is, has been extensively covered on this forum already.

[Tywais]

This story, sad as it is, has been extensively covered on this forum already.

As said, there are already topics in the News section covering this.

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