A travel agent from Perth was snabbed to death last week in Phuket provoking a stance reaction from local authorities.
BANGKOK- On Wednesday last week, a travel agent from Perth on a fam trip to Phuket was murdered, following an attempted bag snatch by two men on a motorcycle. The fatal attack occurred in the Karon area, just as the victim and a friend were going back to the Kata Thani Resort, a five-star property. According to the local police, bag snatching is on the increase in Phuket, especially in Chalong, Kata, Karon districts. Those are areas which are highly frequented by tourists to the Island. The police indicates to receive daily complaints about similar incidents, however without having this dramatic consequence. The police force blames the rise in population on the Island as well as an increase in drugs use among locals.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is under shock and expressed its most sincere condolences to the victim’s family. The State tourism agency explained that tourists’ safety remains from utmost importance. TAT assured that in conjunction with the Phuket Royal Police and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, investigations will be conducted until the murderers are found back. An investigation team has been immediately established to track the two suspects. According to the victim’s friends, the two men were young looking, both under 25 years. Police is now trying to enhance footage from CCTV posted around the hotel. At a meeting in Phuket City Hall, officers of all Phuket police stations met with representatives of TAT as well as representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) to discuss about measures against the rise in criminality in Phuket’s tourist areas.
According to PTA, ten years ago a THB 600-million plan (US$ 20 million) was establish for a comprehensive system of police cars, CCTV cameras and a surveillance centre for the whole island. However, only THB 20 million was finally attributed by the government of the time with Patong district mostly benefiting from the funding. Patong remains today one of Phuket’s safest areas for travellers. TAT indicates that last week incidence will speed up the completion of a CCTV network across the island. The national police chief said the machines would help reduce crime in the city.
Media reported on Monday afternoon that the police arrested two suspects for the murder of the Australian travel agent in the Province of Chumphon. Both suspects will be taken to Phuket.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
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