Phuket Tourist Killing: Two Men Get Life For Michelle Smith Murder

[webfact]

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.

Smith, 60, from Perth, died on June 20 during an attempted robbery on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

Surasak Suwannachot, 26, stabbed Smith in the chest during the attack as a group of Australian travel agents, on a familiarisation trip to Thailand, were returning to their resort.

Surasak then rode off on a motorbike with accomplice Surin Toptong, 37, leaving Smith fatally wounded.

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Ms Smith' s travelling companion, Tammee Lynn, 42, also injured in the attack, desperately tried to save Smith, a mother of three.

Source: http://news.smh.com....0808-23uci.html

-- The Sydney Morning Herald 2012-08-08

[webfact]

BREAKING NEWS: Michelle Smith killers get life in prison

Phuket Gazette

Surasak Suwannachote (left) and Surin Tadthong: sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of Australian tourist Michelle Smith in Phuket on June 20. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: The two men charged with killing 60-year-old Australian tourist Michelle Smith in a bungled bag snatch in Phuket on June 20 have been sentenced to life in prison.

The sentences were handed down at Phuket Provincial Court this afternoon. The judge presiding over the three-day trial commuted death sentences to lifetime imprisonment after both men pleaded guilty.

Surasak Suwannachote had confessed to stabbing Mrs Smith during a gang robbery, hence causing her death.

Surin Tadthong had confessed to operating the motorbike used in the attack and to disposing of the knife used to stab Mrs Smith.

The Phuket Gazette will release more details as they become available.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16614.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-08-08

[Fatherfluffybottom]

Rot in hell scumbags. RIP Michelle Smith

[webfact]

Travel agent's killers sentenced to 100 years' jail

PHUKET: -- Two Thai criminals have been sentenced to the equivalent of 100 years' imprisonment for the murder of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

Surasat "Boy" Suwannachote, 26, and Surin Tadthong, 37, showed no emotion as a judge in Phuket Central Court told them he would have ordered their execution if they had not admitted their involvement in the murder of Ms Smith on June 20.

Security camera footage showed Surasat stabbing Ms Smith, 60, three times after trying to grab her handbag on Kata Noi beach.

Surin stole a motorcycle and was present during the attack on Ms Smith, who was on the resort island with a group of Perth travel agents.

Lawyers said both men are likely to die in jail even with royal and other remissions.

Both received life imprisonment, which in Thailand is the equivalent of 100 years.

Larry Cunningham, Australia's honorary consul in Phuket, praised Thai police for quickly bringing the men to justice.

But he said many of the criminals targeting tens of thousands of Australian tourists are never brought to justice and some have official protection. [more...]

Full story: http://www.smh.com.a...0808-23ucl.html

-- THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 2012-08-08

[Wavefloater]

What does a life sentence mean in Thailand? From what I recall, in some countries, it seems that a life sentence can be done in as little as 7 years.

[laurentbkk]

I just have to congratulate the court for this decision . They deserve what they get . its a minimum..

[upena]

I understand the sentence for the guy who knifed her, but don't understand it for the guy who drove the motorcycle. But, I guess it is better than most "justice" we see - or don't see in Thailand.

[me313]

It's so weird, but a few days ago a Swede killed his Thai girlfriend's Facebook friend simply because she had wanted to meet him. People responded that it was essentially the Thai girl's fault. Stupid things like, "you can take the girl out of Thailand, but you can't take Thailand out of the girl." But if a Western person is murdered, it's like the culprits are slime of the earth. These responses are legitimate, to hate those who murder, but to have such obvious racist responses to who gets killed and who gets blamed is just part of this very bigoted Thailand experience. Not to diminish what has happened to Michele Smith.

[webfact]

Two men jailed for life for killing an Australian tourist

The Nation

Phuket : The two men charged with killing 60-year-old Australian tourist Michelle Smith in a bungled bag snatch in Phuket on June 20 have been sentenced to life in prison.

The sentences were handed down at Phuket Provincial Court this afternoon. The judge presiding over the three-day trial commuted death sentences to lifetime imprisonment after both men pleaded guilty.

Surasak Suwannachote had confessed to stabbing Mrs Smith during a gang robbery, hence causing her death.

Surin Tadthong had confessed to operating the motorbike used in the attack and to disposing of the knife used to stab Mrs Smith.

-- The Nation 2012-08-08

[stevehaigh]

that was fast, less than 2 months from murder to verdict. in the states that would take years, even in thailand i would have expected a year or more. i guess phuket is keen to show its dealing with tourist offenses.

Edited August 8, 2012 by stevehaigh

[willyumcr]

I have to say that at least in Thailand justice is swift when it is applied. This type of case could drag out for years in USA and if given death penalty would be at least 10 years if it even happens. Amazing how many "Guilty" pleas they get so quickly.

[lingyaiyai]

Swift justice is an oxymoron.

[SOTIRIOS]

.....we will never really know.....

[catweazle]

Yeeeehaaaa !!!!!

Finally some justice done! Much better than death - so now they can meditate about what they have done for another 50 to 60 years while getting a$$-raped on a daily basis in a stinking dorm cell without the privacy and comfort western so-called "prisons" provide, where the stay comes close to living in a 3-star hotel.

Not sure however if it will make Phuket a better place to live, since such lowlifes and potential future murderers seldomly read the news...

Hope it will help Michelle's family and friends to find closure. R.I.P. Michelle

[carra]

Larry Cunningham, Australia's honorary consul in Phuket, praised Thai police for quickly bringing the men to justice.

But he said many of the criminals targeting tens of thousands of Australian tourists are never brought to justice and some have official protection.

"The major problem has always been the application of the law in Phuket where assaults continue unabated virtually every night and there are little or no arrests of the guilty parties, mainly because they have patronage protection," Mr Cunningam told The Age.

Very telling comments, one thing that strikes me is how quick the wheels of justice can work here when its about tourism etc, save the tourist industry etc. yet at other times things juts drag on and on until they just go away quietly.

[FM505]

It's so weird, but a few days ago a Swede killed his Thai girlfriend's Facebook friend simply because she had wanted to meet him. People responded that it was essentially the Thai girl's fault. Stupid things like, "you can take the girl out of Thailand, but you can't take Thailand out of the girl." But if a Western person is murdered, it's like the culprits are slime of the earth. These responses are legitimate, to hate those who murder, but to have such obvious racist responses to who gets killed and who gets blamed is just part of this very bigoted Thailand experience. Not to diminish what has happened to Michele Smith.

Going off topic 'diminishes what has happened to Michele Smith'...

[prakhonchai nick]

Whether they pleaded guilty or not, murder deserves death

[Tatsujin]

What does a life sentence mean in Thailand? From what I recall, in some countries, it seems that a life sentence can be done in as little as 7 years.

As the article says, a life sentence in Thailand = 100 years.

[webfact]

PHUKET'S MURDER

Court jailed two Thai men for life for killing an Australian

The Nation

File photo

PHUKET: -- Phuket Court on Wednesday sentenced two Thai men to life in jail for the killing of Michelle Smith, an Australian travel agent in June.

They initially faced death sentence but the verdicts were commuted to life in prison because they pleaded guilty.

Surasak Suwannachot, 26, wielded the knife that killed Smith, 60, a mother of three, and Surin Taptong, 37, drove the getaway motorcycle, Phuketwan online reported Wednesday.

The pair committed the killing on June 20. The online said the verdicts bring to a conclusion a murder case that made headlines all around the world, but especially in Australia. Concern among travel agents who support Phuket as a destination for 400,000 visitors a year led to alarm in Canberra and Bangkok.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra sent two of Thailand’s top policemen to Phuket to oversee the pursuit of the killing suspects, and to plan how best to make Phuket a more secure place - not just for Australians but for tourists from all over the world.

-- The Nation 2012-08-08

[chooka]

What does a life sentence mean in Thailand? From what I recall, in some countries, it seems that a life sentence can be done in as little as 7 years.

Thats a fair question. In Victoria Australia life is 20 years and can be out in 12. Hopefully life in Thailand means for the term of thier lives if it is then it is far better than them recieving the death sentence. They will rot in a rodent infested cell until they either die or comit suicide.

[chooka]

.....we will never really know.....

What?

[tracker1]

On tonights local news here in Australia it appears this was done to appease the tourist trade to the LOS especially Phuket. It will be interesting if this will have any impact on the incidents of crime seemingly directed towards some foreign tourists to Phuket and overall in the LOS, but no more then here in OZ when you take into account the effect of hard times, unemployment, the cost of living and a easy way to aquire money. Maybe they should broadcast the driveby shootings ,needless king hits causng death and violent robberies what impact would that have on good old oz.

RIP Michelle Smith

[catweazle]

Larry Cunningham, Australia's honorary consul in Phuket, praised Thai police for quickly bringing the men to justice.

But he said many of the criminals targeting tens of thousands of Australian tourists are never brought to justice and some have official protection.

"The major problem has always been the application of the law in Phuket where assaults continue unabated virtually every night and there are little or no arrests of the guilty parties, mainly because they have patronage protection," Mr Cunningam told The Age.

Very telling comments, one thing that strikes me is how quick the wheels of justice can work here when its about tourism etc, save the tourist industry etc. yet at other times things juts drag on and on until they just go away quietly.

Don't think that is entirely true - the cases with the Thai police man killing a Swedish couple execution style, and another one with a Thai policeman shooing a Canadian man point blank in the face and body, later claiming his gun went off accidentally three times, took longer to be taken to justice and they were very, very tourism sensitive...

What I don't understand is that a quick open and shut case is now reason enough for someone here to complain again - why not instead be happy that justice was served? No, there always are a few who have to do some "yeah, but why...." babble just for the sake of keeping a discussion going. Don't yu have better things to do?

[chooka]

Didn't Surin change his plea to not guilty?

[maxman71]

Heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Michelle Smith. This senseless and brutal crime underscores the need for farang in Thailand to be constantly aware of their surroundings. Some self-defense classes wouldn't hurt either, as well as keeping a low, modest profile while out in public; displays of wealth in countries like Thailand can sometimes serve as a temptation to those who think taking from others is somehow justified. Not saying this was the case for Michelle Smith, but just a cautionary note to the rest of us.

[jerrysteve]

You can bet the Australians government was watching the outcome of this Trial very closely based on the fickle nature of the

the courts here.

It is good they were sentenced to life in jail. On would hope that future murders of foreigners by thai scum bags will be dealty with

the same expediency and with the same outcome.

Lets hope they do not let these two out of jail on bail.

[allexx]

It's so weird, but a few days ago a Swede killed his Thai girlfriend's Facebook friend simply because she had wanted to meet him. People responded that it was essentially the Thai girl's fault. Stupid things like, "you can take the girl out of Thailand, but you can't take Thailand out of the girl." But if a Western person is murdered, it's like the culprits are slime of the earth. These responses are legitimate, to hate those who murder, but to have such obvious racist responses to who gets killed and who gets blamed is just part of this very bigoted Thailand experience. Not to diminish what has happened to Michele Smith.

The ”Swede” was a 18 yo boy from Iraq with a Swedish passport.

[dude007]

that was fast, less than 2 months from murder to verdict. in the states that would take years, even in thailand i would have expected a year or more. i guess phuket is keen to show its dealing with tourist offenses.

we've seen this from the Shinawatra clan before. Those fishermen who killed a tourist lady were also immediately sentenced nd the capital punishment carried out... Remember the drug addicts who were alse sentenced to dead and suddenly (hastily) executed as proof that the Shinawatra can is keen on this sort of operations.

[dude007]

Larry Cunningham, Australia's honorary consul in Phuket, praised Thai police for quickly bringing the men to justice.

But he said many of the criminals targeting tens of thousands of Australian tourists are never brought to justice and some have official protection.

"The major problem has always been the application of the law in Phuket where assaults continue unabated virtually every night and there are little or no arrests of the guilty parties, mainly because they have patronage protection," Mr Cunningam told The Age.

Very telling comments, one thing that strikes me is how quick the wheels of justice can work here when its about tourism etc, save the tourist industry etc. yet at other times things juts drag on and on until they just go away quietly.

Don't think that is entirely true - the cases with the Thai police man killing a Swedish couple execution style, and another one with a Thai policeman shooing a Canadian man point blank in the face and body, later claiming his gun went off accidentally three times, took longer to be taken to justice and they were very, very tourism sensitive...

What I don't understand is that a quick open and shut case is now reason enough for someone here to complain again - why not instead be happy that justice was served? No, there always are a few who have to do some "yeah, but why...." babble just for the sake of keeping a discussion going. Don't yu have better things to do?

and you?

[apetley]

What does a life sentence mean in Thailand? From what I recall, in some countries, it seems that a life sentence can be done in as little as 7 years.

If you read the post directly above yours you will see that a life sentence in Thailand is 100 years.

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