Thai men to be sentenced on Smith murder

PHUKET: -- A Thai provincial court will hand down its verdict on Wednesday on two Thai men who have pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith in Phuket.

Smith, 60, a Perth mother of three, died on the evening of June 20 when Surasak "Boy" Suwannachot, 26, fatally stabbed her during a botched robbery attempt and then made a getaway on a motorbike driven by his accomplice, Surin Toptong, 37.

During an expected three-day hearing at the Phuket provincial court before judges, Surasak and Surin, wearing brown prison garb and their feet shackled, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted robbery.

While Surasak revealed no emotion during the proceedings, Surin, who sought to change his plea to innocent on Monday, appeared remorseful and wept during cross-questioning.

On Tuesday the court reviewed evidence from the police investigator, who earlier presented graphic CCTV footage of the attack by Surasak and Surin, and Smith's final moments, around 10pm on June 20.

Smith, together with a group of nine other travel agents, was on a familiarisation tour of the Katathani Resort and was returning to the resort after a meal, walking on a pedestrian path, when the attack occurred. [more...]

Full story: http://www.skynews.c....aspx?id=780998

-- Sky News 2012-08-08

(Thai authorities and police mounted an intensive investigation after the attack, concerned at the impact the killing could have on Thailand's tourism industry, with more than 400,000 Australians visiting Phuket each year.) and ---- this is the only reason why they even bothered to look for the murderers!

(Thai authorities and police mounted an intensive investigation after the attack, concerned at the impact the killing could have on Thailand's tourism industry, with more than 400,000 Australians visiting Phuket each year.) and ---- this is the only reason why they even bothered to look for the murderers!

No doubt true to Thai form they will be sentenced to death, reduced to life because they confessed and if they have connections will be released on bail!!

please continue:

Thai men get life for Aust woman's murder

PHUKET: -- Two Thai men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder and robbery of Australian woman Michelle Smith.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....e-smith-murder/

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