Phuket resort owner backs efforts to catch killers of travel agent
The owner of the luxury resort where murdered Australian travel agent Michelle Smith was staying in Phuket has backed police efforts to find the killers.
Sombut Atiset told a media conference that Phuket’s undermanned police force needed all the help it could muster.
”We must catch these men. I am prepared to pay for witnesses to fly back from Australia to Phuket if it will help to convict these evil killers,” said Sombut, who owns the popular five-star Katathani Beach Resort.
Perth travel agent Michelle Smith, walking back to the resort from dinner, was stabbed and left her dying in the street by a pair of bag-snatching motorcycle riders.
She was in Phuket on a fam trip with nine other agents. Another woman in the group was treated in hospital for cuts as she fought off the robbers.
The distressed agents flew back to Perth today.
Sombut quoted by local newspaper, Phuket Wan, said his resort had 110 security cameras on the inside and eight more covering the road outside.
The resort also employs 23 security guards. He said Phuket resort owners needed genuine security guards, "not people just filling a uniform".
The Tourism Authority Thailand is in ”deep shock and regret” following the attack on the travel agents, a spokesman said.
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
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