Australian tourist killed in bag snatch on Phuket

[Khun Don]

Bangkok Post report on apprehension of the two robbers & pics of crime re-enactment

[iGotNoTime]

Both men just confessed to the murder. I expect the trial and sentence to be rather swift. :(

Prosecution Against Aussie Tourist Killers Expedited

[Khun Don]

Michelle Smith ‘killers’ reject confession
Phuket Gazette – Tuesday, July 31, 2012 1:45:00 PM


PHUKET: The two men charged with the death of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith, who died from a stab wound inflicted in a bag-snatch in June, yesterday denied all charges against them.

Surasak Suwannachote, 26, and Surin Tadthong, 37, were presented at Phuket Provincial Court to enter pleas to the charges, which collectively accuse the men of murder and gang robbery.

Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Chalong Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that the specific sections of the Thai Criminal Code the men have been charged with are Sections 339, 288 and 289 (7).

In court, both men were asked whether they confessed to the charges against them.

Both men said, “No.”

The judge then scheduled both Surasak and Surin to appear in court again on August 6, to explain in detail about the previous confessions they had made to the police and why they have now pleaded not guilty.

The news follows Deputy National Police Chief Pansiri Prapawat telling some 50 media personnel at a a press conference on June 26 that the pair had confessed to the crime, but said they had no intention of killing Mrs Smith.

Surasak had confessed to stabbing Mrs Smith, resulting in her death on June 20, but said he did not intend to kill her, Pol Gen Pansiri told the press.

Surin had previously confessed to operating the motorbike used in the bungled bag-snatch that fateful night.

Surasak and Surin are now being held at Phuket Provincial Prison.

[Khun Don]

Australian travel agent killers get life
Published: 8/08/2012 at 05:43 PMOnline news: Local News
Affiliated by

PHUKET -- The two Thai men who killed Australian travel agent Michelle Smith on June 20 were today sentenced to death.

But the two judges commuted the sentence for both men to life imprisonment because they had cooperated with the court and had admitted their guilt.

Surasak Suwannachot and Surin Tadtong were both charged with killing for personal gain, killing in association with one another, carrying weapons in public and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Both smiled at the sentences, plainly relieved not to have been sentenced to death.

After the judgement both were taken straight from the court to begin their sentences in the Phuket Provincial Prison.

BANGKOK POST

[Khun Don]

No bail for these killers, then-unlike these:

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/show...drugs-murder#3

[BUCKY]

No bail for these killers, then-unlike these

ya but if they are lucky, they probably get pardoned by end of he year.