Robber of Two Chinese Tourists in Koh Samui Arrested: Police

[Lite Beer]

Robber of Two Chinese Tourists in Koh Samui Arrested: Police

By Khaosod Eng.

SURAT THANI — A burglar who robbed and slashed two 26-year-old Chinese tourists in their room on Koh Samui island has been arrested, police say.

Wutthipong Yaworn, 23, has been accused of entering a bungalow on Chaweng beach in Bo Put district and slashing two women with a knife before robbing them of their belongings. The two Chinese women were later found and sent to hospital to treat their severe injuries.

The attack took place on the night of 26 May, during the curfew imposed by the military junta after it staged a coup several days earlier.

At the police press conference today, Mr. Wutthipong confessed to plotting the burglary and stalking one of the two tourists to find a window of opportunity. He said he eventually entered the room through an open window when he was certain that the women were sleeping.

Mr. Wutthipong told police he took 100,000 baht in cash, an iPhone, and an iPad from the victims. After the robbery Mr. Wutthipong fled the popular resort island and hid in his hometown in Loei province, where police eventually arrested him.

Police say Mr. Wutthipong was identified by CCTV footage obtained from the hotel where the burglary took place.

At the press conference, Mr. Wutthipong said he merely intended to rob the two women and had no intention to sexually assault the victims. His comment was likely an attempt to avoid the fate that befell a rape suspect in Trang province this week — he was beaten to death in custody by his inmates.

Police say Mr. Wutthipong has been charged with armed burglary and carrying weapons into residential area without due cause.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1405171200

-- Khaosod English 2014-07-12

[ClutchClark]

There is a big difference between a cat burglar and someone willing to us deadly force to steal what he wants.

I hope the courts treat the crime of armed robbery severely.

I don't understand why tourists carry such large sums of money -- 100,000 Baht.

Do Chinese Bank Cards not work in ATM's outside of China?

[terryp]

this was actually 4 girls sharing 2 rooms and they put all their money into 1 safe...it was the Montien Hotel bungalows near the beach...hotel security were at the front desk asleep

not all Chinese atm cards work in Thailand

[silver sea]

After the robbery Mr. Wutthipong fled the popular resort island and hid in his hometown in Loei province, where police eventually arrested him.

and

Police say Mr. Wutthipong was identified by CCTV footage obtained from the hotel where the burglary took place.

So he had already left the island, and was hiding in the far north east of Thailand; he wasn't spotted wandering the streets here on the island. Presumably, he had helped the police with their enquiries on previous occasions and that's why they recognised him.

Well done the police for banging him to rights.

[BigC]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There is a big difference between a cat burglar and someone willing to us deadly force to steal what he wants.

I hope the courts treat the crime of armed robbery severely.

I don't understand why tourists carry such large sums of money -- 100,000 Baht.

Do Chinese Bank Cards not work in ATM's outside of China?

tourists are a big target as their ATM cards cost them allot of money to withdrawal in small bits so they withdraw large amounts at a time from the cash exchange

when i first came here i did the same as the bank in england kept blocking my card so when it was active i withdrew as much as possible as did not know if i was going to be stuck for cash the next day.

though i do understand your point. can always be more organised and buoy travellers cheques which are safer. Anyone specially tourists who don't know the terrain are very vulnerable with large sums of money.

If they were watching these ladies for a while and stalking them then people really need to take notice of there surrounds. it isn't paranoia its being careful.

when you get in your car lock the doors as people might try to chance it by jumping in when your off guard.

motorbikes put money under the seat.

valuables in your room i would normally say put in safe but i see thieves nick the whole safe. so have to use you initiative there.

Take photos of all your good with the serial numbers such as computers iPads extra and keep the receipts as if they turn up then it shall be easier to find them

that my advise.

[Lancelot]

Subjective, but I wonder if the Thais authorities are a bit more responsive when its citizens commit crimes against Chinese nationals?

[iReason]

"... slashed two 26-year-old Chinese tourists in their room"

No charge for this??

[monkeycountry]

"Police say Mr. Wutthipong has been charged with armed burglary and carrying weapons into residential area without due cause."

Just out of curiosity. Is there such a thing as armed burglary? Is it not armed robbery? Anyway, it seems there is a charge missing. If you slash someone with a weapon and thereby severely injure them, as the article states, should there not be a charge for assault or attempted murder or similar, which must be a more serious offence than armed burglary and carrying a weapon?

[spidermike007]

Police say Mr. Wutthipong has been charged with armed burglary and carrying weapons into residential area without due cause.

How on earth was he only charged with these lesser charges, and not assault, or assault with homicidal intent? Why on earth is the judiciary so compromised here? Even if he gets past the prosecutors office, which would be quite happy to let him walk free for a fee, the only way he will be convicted by the coward judge, is if his family has no money. It is a wonder this place has remained relatively safe for this long. It is a testament to the Thai spirit. I believe most Thais are not violent, and would never contemplate such a crime, and if they did, they would not engage in serious assault. It is the youth that is losing their way, and it is the youth I am concerned about. They have the potential to make Thailand into a very different place, than what we have all become accustomed to. So, the answer is tough, swift justice. If found guilty, find an uncompromised judge and prosecutor (is that possible?) and put this vermin away for a decade or longer, in a prison where he is sure to become someones girlfriend.

[BigC]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Police say Mr. Wutthipong has been charged with armed burglary and carrying weapons into residential area without due cause.

How on earth was he only charged with these lesser charges, and not assault, or assault with homicidal intent? Why on earth is the judiciary so compromised here? Even if he gets past the prosecutors office, which would be quite happy to let him walk free for a fee, the only way he will be convicted by the coward judge, is if his family has no money. It is a wonder this place has remained relatively safe for this long. It is a testament to the Thai spirit. I believe most Thais are not violent, and would never contemplate such a crime, and if they did, they would not engage in serious assault. It is the youth that is losing their way, and it is the youth I am concerned about. They have the potential to make Thailand into a very different place, than what we have all become accustomed to. So, the answer is tough, swift justice. If found guilty, find an uncompromised judge and prosecutor (is that possible?) and put this vermin away for a decade or longer, in a prison where he is sure to become someones girlfriend.

chill out people. robbery with a weapon is armed robbery it depends on what the lawyer can strike a deal between the victims and the culprits.

They can be charged with attempted murder or armed robbery but this is between the victims, their lawyer and the thieves.

The headline is brief but during a case things are changing all the time.

they may or may not get bail depending on the price and if these people are a flight risk or not.

remember if the tourists don't want to press these charges then the police won't push them either.