Crime
Michelle Smiths Motorcycle Murderer Captured
Chiangrai Times –The men suspected of the Michelle Smith murder have been arrested in Samutsakhon province, near Bangkok.
The man who allegedly stabbed Mrs Smith has been named as Surasak Wannachot.
The arrests came in the Ban Phaeo district at 8am today, police said.
CCTV stills show suspects in Michelle Smith caseThe arrested men, Surasak Boy Suwannachot is the man who allegedly stabbed and Surin Taptong was the motorcycle driver.
“They were both charged with robbery and murder and they both confessed,” said police Major General Chanasit Vatanavarangoon.
The pair, who both fled to the mainland after the killing, were filmed by a security camera during the attack, he said.
A purple motorbike thought to have been used in the attack has been recovered at a shop in Phuket where one of the suspects worked.
It comes as Thai police earlier issued arrest warrants for two suspects in the murder of the Perth travel agent and posted a reward for information leading to their capture.
Senior officers announced the initiatives at a press conference yesterday, four days after the 60-year-old mother-of-three was fatally stabbed during a bungled bag snatch.
The investigation into Mrs Smith’s murder has received a high priority with Thai Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra – a recent visitor to Australia – urging more intensity in efforts to find the wanted pair.
She was fatally injured when he plunged a 10cm knife into her chest. Her companion, Tammee Lynn, 42, was also hurt and required stitches.
Police CCTV footage shows the men attacking the women.
Officers at Phuket Provincial Police headquarters in Phuket Town named Surasak Suwannachote, 26, originally from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, as the man who allegedly stabbed Mrs Smith, puncturing her heart and lungSoon after Mrs Smith collapsed and despite efforts by Ms Lynn to halt the bleeding, the Perth woman died at the scene.
Police sources said the CCTV footage identified a portion of the Honda Dream 100cc motorbike’s four digit number plate.
Images of the footage had also been forwarded to Bangkok for further amplification.
Growing concerns over attacks on tourists in Thailand, including the seaside resort of Pattaya, have led to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung calling for a crackdown on criminal groups operating at the resort areas.
Increasing theft and violent arguments between tourists and samlor or ‘tuk tuk’ drivers have alarmed tourism officials.
Four Australians were assaulted in February last year when a group of 20 tuk tuk drivers attacked the group.
One Australian was knifed but survived the assault.
Australian Ambassador to Thailand, James Wise, is to visit Phuket next week to hold talks with officials, including the provincial governor and tourism authorities, over concerns for the safety of Australian travelers.
