Crackdown on crime against tourists as Thai men jailed for travel agent death
The Thai killers of an Australian travel agent have been sentenced to life imprisonment – or 100 years in jail.
Surasat "Boy" Suwannachote, 26, and Surin Tadthong, 37, have both received life imprisonment for the murder of Michelle Smith, who was with a group of Perth travel agents visiting Phuket on a fam trip when she was attacked outside her hotel.
The death prompted intervention from Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Thailand’s top police, who have ordered a crackdown on violence against tourists on Thailand’s biggest resort island.
A judge in Phuket Central Court told the pair he would have ordered their execution if they had not admitted their involvement in the murder of Mrs Smith on June 20.
Security camera footage showed Surasat stabbing Ms Smith, 60, while trying to grab her handbag.
Surin stole a motorcycle and was present during the attack.
Lawyers said both men are likely to die in jail even with royal and other remissions.
By Ian Jarrett
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