Swedish tourist slain at Mai Khao

[handsome-Dane]

I seen it now.

[izzix]

Thai man confesses to murdering Swedish tourist
The Associated Press
Published: March 19, 2008


BANGKOK, Thailand: A Thai man suspected of murdering a female Swedish tourist surrendered to police after fleeing to the Myanmar border, police said Wednesday.

The 31-year-old suspect turned himself in to police in Ranong province near the Myanmar border three days after fleeing the crime scene in Phuket, one of Thailand's most popular tourist islands, police Lt. Gen. Tawat Boonfaeng said.

The body of Hanna Charlotta Backlund, 27, was found Saturday on Mai Khao beach on the northern tip of Phuket. She had been stabbed to death while walking on the beach.

The suspect_ Akaradej Tankae_ confessed to police that he tried to sexually assault the victim but she resisted, Tawat said.

"He said he acted alone, citing stress and problems in (his) family," Tawat said.


Phuket Governor Niran Gallayanamit earlier said the arrest warrant issued Tuesday was based on accounts from 12 witnesses allegedly linking Akaradej to the crime.

"The initial investigation found that the suspect likes watching tourists, especially foreign tourists, who come to take a swim," Niran said, adding that the case has tarnished the tourism industry.

He said witnesses who had seen Akaradej since the attack said he had wounds on his right hand, suggesting he was in a struggle that involved a sharp object.
Terms of Use

[donthani]

Akkaradej Tunkae, 31, has been charged with the murder of Hanna Backlund.

[Techland]

Beautiful blonde sunbathing topless on a remote beach with horny fishermen around is asking for trouble.

I assume you have you seen a photo of her, izzix.

No pic needed. In the view of the thais they are all pretty (white skinned, tall, etc). Not in 'our' views, though...

[handsome-Dane]

I saw that thing (thai man) on Danish news. He was asking for forgiveness. I think it was the Swedish womans mother he asked. Bullit is what he deserves and hopefully will get.

[Bump]

Thiongs happen everywhere but what is the motivator a safe place or money (TT)

Shock over tourist murders
Government moving quickly to restore confidence in country's biggest business

By Post reporters
The government is rushing to shore up the confidence of tourists shaken by the latest killings of holidaymakers, which could affect the industry which generates the largest amount of foreign exchange in Thailand.

Thailand's reputation as a safe destination for tourists suffered another setback with the March 15 murder of Swedish tourist Hannah Charlotte Bankluns, 27, who was stabbed to death while sunbathing in Phuket.

Yesterday an Indian tourist, Chetn Dadhwal, 24, was also stabbed to death as he tried to break up a fight during the Full Moon party on Rin beach at Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.



The murders come as a wake-up call for the authorities, who seem to show no concern about the shortage of investment in the tourism industry or the political will to improve the safety of tourists. The tourism industry continues to be the largest earner of foreign exchange and the biggest generator of jobs in Thailand.

Statistics released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) put last year's revenue at about 500 billion baht. The agency projects this year's income to be 800 billion baht.

Tourism experts said people only travel to destinations that they feel safe in. Thailand owed much of its reputation as the region's tourist hub to its safety record.

The heavy competition in the tourism industry gives the government all the more reason to improve security for tourists. A tragic incident in one country could be a blessing for another country going after the same tourist segments, say the experts.

They warned of the hidden dangers of a surge in tourist arrivals as it could overstretch the country's resources and lead to less protection for visitors.

Tourist Police Division commander Choochat Suwannakom said there were not enough police to patrol the beaches, with the jump in numbers of foreign tourists from 12-14 million to 16-18 million annually over the past few years.

The division has been training volunteers recruited from local residents to offer security to tourists. But only 20% of the trainees actually went on to do the work, said Pol Maj-Gen Choochat.

"Local people know best where the dangers are," he said.

He added that despite a disappointing result, the volunteer programme would continue. Volunteers would be taught the basics of foreign languages to help them communicate with tourists.

Montri Naruekatapichai, president of the Phuket tourism association, said a number of local tourism businesses have chipped in and given provincial police a million baht a year to help boost police capabilities to provide visitors with safety from December to January when the numbers of tourists climb.

Mr Montri said visitors to Phuket were under-protected because the province needs more than the 1,000 police officers it now employs.

He said local tour companies contributed to the 100,000-baht bounty on the head of the Bankluns killer.

Suwalai Pinpradab, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's southern office, said the Bankluns murder has spurred those involved in the tourism business to collaborate efforts to boost the safety of tourists.

"The incident is an important lesson for us," she said.

The director said Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat has paid special attention to the murder case.

Mr Weerasak was in Phuket earlier this week to hand out whistles tourists could blow to get people's attention if they are being attacked.

Before the month is out, the Tourist Police Division hopes to be able to distribute the whistles along with some 100,000 copies of a revised version of its safety pamphlets targetting foreign female holidaymakers.

An important piece of advice will be added to the pamphlets, warning bikini-clad female sunbathers to be mindful of where they are going on the beaches.

Women tourists are urged to wear a whistle when they stroll along a beach and not to wear a swimsuit which reveals too much.

Pol Maj-Gen Choochat said it is the first time his office has produced pamphlets specifically for female tourists. They will be advised to be careful of the environment and go with friends if they wear bikinis to secluded beaches.

They also should avoid walking along beaches in the dark and always carry the whistle.

"Many tourists, particularly those from Europe, come here to enjoy the beaches. They tend to choose a quiet spot away from other people, take off the bikini and sunbathe.

"That's when the attackers strike," the commander said.

They have been accused of "putting up the fence after the cows have gone", but the police, he said, are looking to make similar safety pamphlets available at other tourist attractions, including waterfalls and mountains.

The bikini warning will be highlighted in the pamphlets, along with tips including how to avoid unscrupulous jewellery shops.

Wearing revealing bikinis, however, is not always the reason rapists attack, according to behaviour psychologist Pol Maj-Gen Pongpat Chayapan.

Many attackers and rapists are psychologically abnormal and can attack even if the victim is fully clothed.