Figures point to increase in Phuket problems
More than 50 foreign tourists have died in Phuket this year, according to statistics released by the island’s top police officer.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong said 52 foreigners died between January 1 and August 17 this year, some by natural causes.
By contrast, just 28 deaths of foreigners were recorded in all of 2009.
The figures appear to support the view that violence has increased on the island in 2010, said the Phuket Gazette.
Maj Gen Pekad said the largest number of criminal cases involving foreigners stemmed from excessive alcohol consumption.
So far this year there have been 126 criminal cases in which a foreigner was the suspect. They include assaults, murders, sex crimes, thefts, drugs offences, visa overstays, work permit violations, gambling and drunk driving, he said.
By contrast, there have been 24 cases in which foreigners were identified as victims. These include thefts, sex crimes, assaults and murders, he said.
The amount of crime involving foreigners appeared to be on the increase, Maj Gen Pekad said.
Ian Jarrett
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