Briton and Thai wife murdered at beach resort

[Khun Don]

RACHUAB KHIRI KHAN
Briton and Thai wife murdered at beach resort
The Nation March 14, 2012 3:49 pm

Police on Wednesday detained three Thai men for allegedly robbing and fatally beating a British man and his Thai wife in Prachuab Khiri Khan's Thap Sakae district.

Police said two of the suspects, Pongpitak Tapsawang, 29, and Prachak Muenjinda, 50, had confessed to robbing and murdering Michael Raymond, 68 and Suchada Baokhamdee, 52, at the Jack Beach Resort. They worked in the resort as security guard and cook respectively.

The third suspect, Jakkarin Yuyen, 30, denied the charge. Police alleged that Jakkarin visited the resort to borrow money from Prachak before deciding to rob the couple.

A maid at the resort found the badly beaten bodies of Michael Raymond, 68 and Suchada Baokhamdee, 52, Tuesday afternoon in their bungalow.

Police said the bodies were badly beaten and their belongings were ransacked. The suspects told police that they robbed the couple of Bt2,000, a mobile phone and an ATM card.

According to initial investigations, the couple checked in to the resort on Monday. The Briton had lived in Khon Kaen for about two years since marrying Suchada.

Prachuab Khiri Khan Governor Veera Sriwattanatrakul said that the gruesome murder badly tarnished the province and its tourism business. Resorts in the province should from now on be equipped with security cameras to ensure safety and help police if crimes occurred.

Meanwhile Thawatchai Daengchum, president of Huay Yang Tambon Administrative Organisation, said the crime had shocked people, as the beach area, which is home to several resorts, is known to be peaceful and is popular with foreigners.

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so sad..

[Marie]

The suspects told police that they robbed the couple of Bt2,000, a mobile phone and an ATM card.

Is this the cost of two lives? :-(

By the way, is there a use for an ATM card if you don't know the PIN?

[hoistman]

Unfortunately I would imagine they were hoping to get a lot more ... Most probably thought ... Like a lot of Thai people ... That Western people are very rich.

[visionchaser45]

"...is there a use for an ATM card if you don't know the PIN?" They probably beat the couple to death trying to obtain the PIN. These heartless criminals should be made an example for all others who would consider doing anything even remotely similar.

[khonrai]

Hi

I think there is more involved than just a random act of violence or robbery.

to be that brutal on a simple robbery is not normal.

I wonder if drugs or a personal grudge was involved?

[Marie]

Hi

I think there is more involved than just a random act of violence or robbery.

to be that brutal on a simple robbery is not normal.

I wonder if drugs or a personal grudge was involved?

Yea. Too gruesome. It must be drugs.

[visionchaser45]

The couple were on holiday from their home in Khon Kaen. Given their ages and where they chose to reside, I doubt they were involved in drug trafficing. I can't, of course, say for sure. It just doesn't add up.

[hoistman]

Well hopefully as they have arrested three suspects ... We will eventually find out the reason why. I also can't see it being drug related !! Unless the three were on drugs to do such a thing. Like any country ... This sort of thing happens ... I don't like to read it .. Or hear about it ... But its no good closing my eyes to it. Last year the little shop next to us was robbed ... Its a little general store ... Run by a couple ... During the day the husband does a bit of motorbike taxi to boost the income ... And while he was out a man just walked in ... Punched the woman ... Stole her gold bracelet ... Took what money was in the till and walked out ... This shop is about 15 foot from ours ... We never saw or heard a thing. Since that happened ... If I ever have to go out and leave the wife alone ... We lock the shop.

[khonrai]

Hi

I didn't mean the couple had any thing to do with drugs.

I meant maybe the robbers where high on ya baht or speed

for someone to rob and kill where they work is total stupidity.