Japanese tourist slain at Thailand's ancient capital

**Mid** · 26-11-2007, 02:37 PM

Japanese tourist slain at Thailand's ancient capital
Nov 26, 2007, 6:52 GMT

Bangkok - A Japanese tourist was slain and robbed over the weekend while visiting Thailand's ancient capital of Sukhothai during Loy Krathong, or the Water Candle festival, police said Monday.

The body of the tourist, identified only by her first name Nomoko, was found with her throat slashed and her possessions stolen Sunday in the grass at the side of the road leading to one of the more remote ruins of the Sukhothai cultural heritage site.

Police said the woman rented a bicycle on Saturday to visit a temple on the outskirts of the main Sukhothai complex, a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Sukhothai Police Chief Major General Thirrin Padungchiwit ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of the murder.

'This is a priority case because it has damaged the reputation of Sukhothai and the entire country,' said Thirrin.

The ancient ruins of Sukhothai, which was Thailand's main kingdom between 1250 to 1376, is a major tourist draw during the Loy Krathong festival, observed in Thailand on the night of the full moon in November by floating small vessels with candles and decorations in lakes, ponds and rivers to carry away one's sins.

Altogether 12 people, including the Japanese tourist, died during this year's Loy Krathong, victims of firecrackers, road accidents, brawls and at least one murder.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
monstersandcritics.com

**Mid** · 26-11-2007, 10:45 PM

Tourist murderer to be brought to justice
BREAKING NEWS

SUKHOTHAI - Thailand's tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani on Monday evening said all concerned agencies would put all effort into bringing the culprit in Sunday' murder of a Japanese female tourist in this northern province to justice.

"This murder case was a serious crime that will affect the national tourism industry. I ensure all concerned parties will put all effort into solving the case and bringing the offenders to justice," said Mr. Suvit.

The minister also said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had expressed his condolences to the victims's relatives.

The minister made the statement after visiting Sukhothai Historical Park, some 400 kilometres north of Bangkok, where Tomoko Kawashita, 27, a tourist from Osaka, was found dead Sunday following the annual Loy Krathong festival on Saturday night.

The young woman was believed to have rent a bicycle to tour the scenic ruins before she was murdered.

Local police were skeptical the victim might have been raped. Forensic experts expected to take about two weeks for further examination for possible traces of semen and tissues from the assailant in the victim's nails, to identify the DNA coordinates of the attacker. (TNA)

bangkokpost.com

**dirtydog** · 26-11-2007, 11:08 PM

I have noticed that the Thai press now wait till these murders and deaths of foreigners hit other countries news services before putting it out in their own newspapers and websites, hoping to keep it all hidden? The Irish woman last week in Koh Samui is another example, that didn't come out in the Thai papers or websites till the day after it was in the UK papers.

**chinthee** · 26-11-2007, 11:10 PM

^Very interesting. You think that's a function of the current administration? Did you notice that before the coup?

**Mid** · 26-11-2007, 11:13 PM

can't answer your ? Chin'T ,

I do concur with DD's observations though .

**Gerbil** · 26-11-2007, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I have noticed that the Thai press now wait till these murders and deaths of foreigners hit other countries news services before putting it out in their own newspapers and websites, hoping to keep it all hidden? The Irish woman last week in Koh Samui is another example, that didn't come out in the Thai papers or websites till the day after it was in the UK papers.

For the Thai papers, it's a case of 'no pictures - no news'. The cops generally don't let photographers take pictures of dead murder victims (especially westerners) now.

**chitown** · 26-11-2007, 11:22 PM

It was reported on Thai TV news (ITV) that it was probably a rape and murder and not robbery.

The victim still had all of her money, passport, and jewelry.

**dirtydog** · 26-11-2007, 11:24 PM

Naa, it's been the last couple of months I have noticed that mainly murders of foreigners gets out on the foreign press before the Thai press puts it out, probably noticed it around the time that sea captain was murdered in Phuket.

**dirtydog** · 27-11-2007, 01:13 AM

Japanese woman slain in Sukhothai

A Japanese tourist has been found murdered in Sukhothai province, where she was visiting a Loy Krathong festival over the weekend.

Tomoko Kawashita, 27, was found dead at around 1pm on Sunday in a small jungle near Wat Saphan Hin. She was last seen at 7am on Sunday while renting a bicycle from a shop in Muang Kao urban area.

Her body had three stab wounds to the neck and one to the waist. Pol Colonel Somboon Tantrakool, a forensic expert, said there was evidence indicating "signs of sexual violation" but it would take another week for lab tests to confirm them.

Quoting witnesses, police said Kawashita checked into a guesthouse at around 10pm after arriving in the northern province at about 6pm on Saturday to join the festival at Sukhothai Historical Park.

Kawashita returned to the guesthouse at around 2am to move her luggage to an unknown location. She was seen next at 7am renting a bicycle from a shop known as "Rerng Phoolpherm".

Police questioned a group of six Thai male high school students seen with Kawashita while they were all entering the Park on Saturday evening. The questioning continued throughout Sunday night and the students were allowed to go home when police said they were not suspects.

Police later obtained video clips shot with the students' mobile-phone handsets to try to find clues to the murderer, but admitted it was difficult as many thousands of people had visited the site.

A police source, quoting private security personnel, said no vehicles or motorcycles had entered the Park, indicating the murderer could be a local, who possibly killed her between 9am and 10.30am on Sunday.

The site where Kawashita's body was found was an isolated spot, indicating the murderer could have been waiting in an ambush to rob her, or to rob and rape her, said the source.

Kom Chad Luek newspaper said Kawashita had about Bt3,000 in her pocket when her body was found. There is no immediate information about whether her camera she carried was found with the body.

Kawashita's body is now at the Police General Hospital for a detailed autopsy.

Sukhothai Police chief Maj-General Sirin Phadungchewit ordered a manhunt in the area.

"This is a priority case because it has damaged the reputation of Sukhothai and the entire country," he said.

Meanwhile, a Dutch man was stabbed late Sunday night in a robbery in Phuket.

Thomas De Clerk, 51, sustained two knife wounds to his left waist and his left hand in a struggle with the lone robber, who had earlier snatched a belt pack from him. De Clerk later chased and caught the robber and was trying to get his belongings back. His wife Maria Crozen, 45, was unharmed.
The robber was around 170-cm tall, and wore a baseball cap, a dark long-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers, de Clerk said. The items stolen were a camera, some cosmetics and 20 euros.

The Nation

**November Rain** · 27-11-2007, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by chitown

It was reported on Thai TV news (ITV) that it was probably a rape and murder and not robbery.

The victim still had all of her money, passport, and jewelry.

That's weird. The report I saw (English language - Star News, last night) said it wasn't thought to be sexual & her wallet & passport were missing. Wonder which version is true.

Also hope they don't 'fit up' some poor sap with the intellectual capacity of a durian to clear up the crime, quickly

**Mid** · 27-11-2007, 03:19 PM

PM expresses condolences for family of Japanese victim
BREAKING NEWS

(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont expressed condolences to the family of the Japanese female tourist who was murdered over the weekend while visiting the ancient capital of Sukhothai during the Loy Krathong festival, Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said Tuesday.

According to Mr Suvit, Gen Surayud accepted that the murder of Tomoko Kawashita, 27, will affect close ties between Thailand and Japan.

He urged police to hunt the killer as quickly as possible.

The body of Tomoko from Osaka was found on Sunday with her throat slashed and her possessions stolen in grass at the side of the road leading to ruins.
Tomoko's father, mother and brother came to see her body on Tuesday. They will take her back to Japan on Thursday.

bangkokpost.com

**dirtydog** · 28-11-2007, 10:31 AM

LOY KRATHONG DEATH
Police target male suspect in tourist murder
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM and AFP

Police will apply for a warrant today for the arrest of a man suspected of murdering a Japanese woman in the ancient capital of Sukhothai during the Loy Krathong festival, a Crime Suppression Division source said.

Police had found traces of blood at the crime scene and now believed one of 10 men who had been under suspicion was involved in the crime, the police source said.

It was expected an arrest warrant would be issued today.

The body of Tomoko Kawashita, 27, from Osaka, is to be flown home tomorrow.

Police spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the parents, Yasuaki and Keko Kawashita, went to the Police hospital yesterday to make arrangements.

The distraught couple said they still loved Thailand and its people and that the Thais and Japanese people were still good friends.

The young woman's body was found on Sunday, her throat slit and her possessions stolen, at the side of the road leading to one of the more remote ruins. It was lying next to the bicycle she had rented to do her sightseeing.

The parents had asked that the killer be brought to justice as soon as possible, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat said.

They said their daughter travelled to Thailand with the intention of celebrating Loy Krathong, and Sukhothai was her choice because she learned it was the birthplace of the famous festival, he said.

The victim's parents would provide police with information on phone conversations they had with their daughter while she was in Thailand.

He said forensic tests showed no signs the victim had been sexually assaulted.

It was believed robbery was the only motive behind the murder, he said.
Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had expressed profound sorrow over the killing and had apologised to the victim's family.

**dirtydog** · 28-11-2007, 10:34 AM

Japanese woman not molested, says police

A Japanese woman killed in Sukhothai on Sunday had not been sexually violated, police spokesman Lt General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said yesterday.

Pongsapat referred to the autopsy report by coroner Pol Colonel Somboon Tantrakool on the body of Tomoko Kawashita, which was found at 1pm on Sunday in the northern province.

Kawashita, 27, had gone to Sukhothai, 650 km north of Bangkok, to attend the Loy Kratong festival.

Pongsapat said there may have been more than one culprit in the murder, but expected a suspect or suspects would be arrested within the next few days. He quoted provincial police chief Major General Sirin Phadungchewit, who said a 20-strong police team made up of officers from the Central Investigation Bureau and Crime Suppression Division had been set up yesterday to work on the case with Sukhothai police.

The victim's parents, Yasuaki and Eko Kawashita, and her older brother claimed her body at the Police General Hospital yesterday. They later went to Sukhothai to discuss the progress of the investigation with local police.

Both said they felt sorrow over their daughter's death but harboured no ill feelings towards Thailand and Thai people.

They said their daughter Tomoko had originally planned to travel to Thailand with her boyfriend but eventually came here alone.

Her body will be sent back to Japan.
During yesterday's Cabinet meeting Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont extended his condolences, on behalf of the Thai people, to the Kawashita family and to the Japanese people.

The Nation

**Bexar County Stud** · 28-11-2007, 12:04 PM

Very sad.

**Norton** · 28-11-2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

"This murder case was a serious crime that will affect the national tourism industry. I ensure all concerned parties will put all effort into solving the case and bringing the offenders to justice," said Mr. Suvit.

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I have noticed that the Thai press now wait till these murders and deaths of foreigners hit other countries news services before putting it out in their own newspapers and websites, hoping to keep it all hidden?

The truth lies above. Thai press and government in general puts out nothing that might have an impact on "economy". They are quick on the trigger in publishing the slightest infringement of the law by a farang.

We that were here during the Tsunami well remember the reason stated for the government's decision not to warn of the impending tsunami even though they were well aware of it in plenty of time to save the lives of countless victims. Went something like this,

"We finally decided not to do anything because the tourist season was in full swing. The hotels were 100% booked full. What if we issued a warning, which would have led to an evacuation, and nothing had happened. What would be the outcome? The tourist industry would be immediately hurt. Our department would not be able to endure a lawsuit"

**Ivor Biggun** · 28-11-2007, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by chitown

It was reported on Thai TV news (ITV) that it was probably a rape and murder and not robbery.

Well that's okay then. For one minute I thought the standards, in Thailand, were falling.

**dirtydog** · 30-11-2007, 08:00 AM

Slain Japanese tourist's body returned home
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The body of a Japanese tourist who was murdered in Sukhothai was sent home last night. Victim Tomoko Kawashita's parents and elder brother answered police questions in Sukhothai before taking a flight to Bangkok to pick up her body at the Forensic Medicine Institute. The body was put on a flight to Osaka last night.

The couple told police that they did not believe their daughter would drink with a stranger.

Tomoko, 27, was found with a high level of alcohol in her blood.

Police said Tomoko drank coffee at a restaurant where she was last seen reading a travel book. They suspected the victim might have had a drink somewhere else before she was murdered.

Yasuaki and Keko insisted their daughter was not a drinker, and rarely mixed with strangers.

Crime Suppression police summoned a student for questioning and asked the student to identify a man seen with Tomoko, in a photo taken by a surveillance camera at the Nong Khai border checkpoint. Police are also looking for a Japanese man seen with her.

Sukhothai police chief Pol Maj-Gen Sirin Phadungchewit said human tissue found under Tomoko's fingernails was a key piece of evidence.

Police yesterday raised their reward offer from 10,000 to 100,000 baht for clues leading to the arrest of a suspect.

More than 100 Sukhothai police expanded their search of the crime scene to cover a 5km radius.
Japanese ambassador to Thailand Hideki Kobayashi said he was keeping the Japanese government informed of progress in the investigation, while police said they had few clues to go on.

Bangkok Post

**dirtydog** · 03-12-2007, 09:15 AM

TOURISM JAPANESE WOMAN'S MURDER
Call for more guards at Sukhothai park
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Sukhothai _ Local villagers have urged the Fine Arts Department to provide more security guards at Sukhothai Historical Park following the murder of a female Japanese tourist during the Loy Krathong festival. Tomoko Kawashita was riding a rented bicycle alone when she was murdered near the entrance to Wat Saphan Hin in the compound of Sukhothai Historical Park.

Her death has tainted the image of the country and the province, said Banchong Thadnum, the chairman of Muang Khao tambon administration organisation (TAO).

The TAO will raise the security issue with the Sukhothai Fine Arts Office Region 6, which oversees the historical park.

Anan Chuchote, head of the Fine Arts Office Region 6, admitted that only a few guards were stationed at the park, which covers a vast area and is popular with both local and foreign tourists.

The provincial governor will hold a meeting today with relevant agencies to work out safety measures, said Mr Anan, adding he would propose that more security guards be hired to work at the site.

The entrance to the temple where the body of the murdered Japanese tourist was found has been declared off-limits by police.

Pol Col Prasert Pattanadee, head of the Crime Suppression Division's northern office, said some teenagers had been summonsed for interrogation.
A source said police were looking for two teenagers who had committed crimes at the historical park.

Bangkok Post

**Texpat** · 03-12-2007, 09:37 AM

'This is a priority case because it has damaged the reputation of Sukhothai...'

So if it hadn't damaged their reputation it wouldn't be a priority? That's a pretty shitty thing to say.

**Hootad Binky** · 05-12-2007, 05:25 AM

Usual Keystone cops clusterf*ck.

**dirtydog** · 25-01-2008, 02:51 PM

JAPANESE WOMAN'S SLAYING
Video yields new clues in tourist murder
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Police have obtained video footage which shows a young man near the spot where a Japanese woman was murdered in Sukhothai during the Loy Krathong festival last year. A combined team of investigators from Sukhothai police, the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and tourism police were to re-examine the crime scene in Sukhothai where Tomoko Kawashita was murdered on Nov 25.

The Japanese embassy in Thailand has handed police a seven-minute video and suggested it may provide a clue to the murderer.

The video was recorded by a member of a Japanese tour group who visited Wat Saphan Hin in the compound of Sukhothai Historical Park, where Kawashita's body was found.

The footage shows a male teenager standing near a motorcycle parked near the entrance of the temple

It was taken about 9.30am on the same day as the body of the victim was found, at 11am.

Pol Maj-Gen Panya Mamen, the deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, yesterday ordered the CSD to send police to question witnesses and track down the teenager.

A source said the video footage was fresh evidence which may help investigators narrow down their hunt for the killer.

The investigators had not known there was a motorcycle and a male teenager there before.

Police yesterday handed out pictures of the victim's missing belongings to members of the public in Sukhothai and nearby provinces in an effort to dig up some clues.

The items included a Pentax Optio S-5i digital camera and its serial number, the victim's passport, an Ipod music player in a blue holder, a guide book written in Japanese, the victim's motorcycle licence, two bags, a credit card and membership cards of several organisations in Japan.

Bangkok Post

**Happyman** · 25-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Naa, it's been the last couple of months I have noticed that mainly murders of foreigners gets out on the foreign press before the Thai press puts it out,probably noticed it around the time that sea captain was murdered in Phuket.

No progress there even after the BIB said they knew the youths involved and arrests were imminent !!!

TIT

**StrontiumDog** · 05-02-2013, 11:15 AM

Japan envoy expresses concerns for safety of Japanese tourists in Thailand | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Japan wants faster murder probe

Published: 5 Feb 2013 at 09.58
Online news:

Japanese ambassador Shigekazu Sato yesterday called on the national police chief to speed up the investigation into the 2007 murder of a Japanese tourist.

Tomoko Kawashita, 25, from Osaka, was found dead with her throat slashed near a temple in Sukhothai historical park on Nov 25, 2007.

Several suspects were rounded up for questioning, but all were later released and the investigation has since stalled.

The ambassador met national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew at Royal Thai Police headquarters on Monday, and asked that the case be speeded up.

Mr Sato also raised concerns about the safety of the 1.2 million Japanese tourists who visit Thailand each year.

Pol Gen Adul said he would order Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Thanatkij, chief of Police Region 6, to follow up on the murder case.

**nevets** · 05-02-2013, 02:13 PM

They dont bother about falang / none Thai murders.

**Agent_Smith** · 05-02-2013, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

and asked that the case be speeded up.

After nearly six years? Sadly, I think this case will probably remain unsolved unless someone confesses.

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