Swedish tourist killed in Phuket

**dirtydog** · 17-03-2008, 07:37 PM

Female tourists to Phuket will be given safety whistles to blow in case of emergency

Female tourists visiting the Thai island of Phuket will be given whistles to sound in case of an emergency, the Tourism Ministry said Monday, two days after the murder of a Swedish woman in broad daylight.

The whistles are part of a campaign to increase security on Phuket, one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, after the shocking killing of 27-year-old Hanna Charlotta Backlund of Sweden, said Tourism Minister Weerasak Kohsurat.

Backlund was stabbed to death Saturday while taking a walk on Mai Khao beach, on the northern tip of Phuket. Her attacker remains at large.

The safety whistles will be shaped like the symbol commonly used to designate women _ a circle above a cross _ and can be worn around the neck, said Phuket police Maj. Sathabhorn Sangaunsuk, who will be overseeing the project.

The ministry also plans to increase the presence of security guards around the island and publish safety manuals that will be distributed to tourists, the minister said in a statement.

Authorities said the plan was just devised and they did not immediately know when distribution of whistles would begin.

**November Rain** · 17-03-2008, 07:39 PM

Are they assuming that the poor girl didn't scream? Surely screaming is as loud as (& attracts more attention than) a whistle?

Only in Thailand...

**EmperorTud** · 17-03-2008, 07:45 PM

Whistlers in distress could be mistaken for enthusiastic car park attendants.

**dirtydog** · 17-03-2008, 07:51 PM

Female tourists to Thailand to be issued with chastity belts and sub machine guns

Well, maybe next year......

**Bluecat** · 17-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by November Rain

Are they assuming that the poor girl didn't scream? Surely screaming is as loud as (& attracts more attention than) a whistle?

Only in Thailand...

Indeed.
Everybody will think that there is a parking nearby with an overzealous "guard".

Typical reaction to an event they did not expect to happen.
Taking 100 decisions by the minute.
All wrong ones...

**dirtydog** · 17-03-2008, 08:39 PM

Police close in on Hanna murder prime suspect

MAI KHAO: Police investigating the murder of Swedish tourist Hanna Charlotta Backlund, 26, whose body was found at Mai Khao Beach on Saturday morning, are waiting to speak to a key person before moving to arrest their prime suspect for the murder, Phuket Police Deputy Commander Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette today.

“We have received important information from villagers in the area. I can’t say anything more to the media at this moment,” he said.

Col Paween confirmed that yesterday police interviewed three men in connection with the murder. No arrests were made.

However, Col Paween did not confirm reports that the wounds inflicted on Hanna were made by a knife similar to those used by local fishermen.

Hanna had been staying at the Mai Khao Beach Resort with friend Emma Storman, who found Hanna's body 300 meters from resort. According to police, Hanna died from stab wounds to her neck and body.

Officers from the Crime Suppression Division from Bangkok arrived in Phuket this morning to assist with the investigation, which included questioning local residents.

“We have limited evidence from the murder scene because of the proximity to the sea. We are awaiting the results of DNA tests from Hanna’s body,” Tah Chat Chai Police Superintendent Pol Col Sakchai Limcharoen said.

A 100,000-baht reward is being offered by local businesses for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to finding those responsible for Hanna’s death.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat arrived in Phuket today to visit the murder scene and meet with Emma, who is being treated for shock at Phuket International Hospital.

Phuket Gazette

**Jamie** · 17-03-2008, 09:10 PM

Tourists have helped rejuvenate the Phuket economy since the tsumani. Tourism really is the creme on the top for Phuket locals. Yet in return, well intentioned, tipping travelers continue to be overcharged or murdered in return for their patronage. Although violent crimes are rare in Phuket, overcharging is a sport.

**Happyman** · 17-03-2008, 09:43 PM

I can see it now

Plane load arrives at Phuket and proceed through immgration .

Man at the desk sees that the person is female

Checks visa etc and returns passport together with a whistle

When asked WTF is that for he will smile and tell them thats so you can get help when you are raped and about to be murdered.

Tourist does a 180 and goes to the departure lounge

Phuket Tourist people complain that numbers are declining !!!

I give up !!!

**jizzybloke** · 18-03-2008, 03:06 AM

It'll be OK, the bloke with a stick is here!

**Hootad Binky** · 18-03-2008, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by Smeg

The UK has more than twice as many tourists as here but I don't think one has been murdered there for years. Of course, according to NR Thailand is far safer

This British girl was murdered the same way on Samui. It was apparently confirmed with DNA evidence:

Thai fishermen killed backpacker, say police

· Detectives cite DNA and confessions as proof
· Men allegedly saw porn film before seeking victim

Tuesday January 10 2006

Two Thai fishermen have confessed to murdering British backpacker Katherine Horton on a beach in Koh Samui after apparently getting drunk on their boat and watching pornographic films, detectives said yesterday after parading the suspects at a Bangkok police station.

DNA samples taken from Bualoi Posit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, apparently matched those taken from the victim who was found floating off Thong Krok beach on January 2, police said.

Thai fishermen killed backpacker, say police | UK news | The Guardian

**dirtydog** · 18-03-2008, 01:55 PM

UPDATE: WE HAVE JUST HEARD TUESDAY MORNING THAT POLICE HAVE ONLY ISSUED WARRANT FOR A SUSPECT WHO IS STILL ON THE RUN.

Following the murder of a Swedish tourist, Hanna Charlotta Backlund (pronounced Becklund, her name has 2 dots above the A in Backlund) on Mai Khao beach in northern Phuket last Saturday, the Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat visited Phuket late Sunday night to ask police to speed up the probe into the murder of the tourist. Mr. Weerasak asked police to brief him on the details of the beach and the attack before inspecting the crime location yesterday morning. He affirmed that the authority will do its best and quick, fair investigation to bring the criminal(s) to justice.
The minister also went on to visit the victim's girl friend who is undergoing post trauma treatment at Phuket International Hospital. The minister told reporters that the friend knows that the Thai government is seriously working on searching for the murderer(s). He also vowed to quickly restore confidence in tourist safety as well as work with travel agents and explain the facts to Swedish media, work with local governments to ensure better safety, and distribute alert whistles; as he told more to a Swedish journalist and our reporter after the site inspection:

A viewer also informed Andaman News that a memorial is being organized for Ms. Backlund and to vigil against hate crime directed at women across the globe, next Saturday, March 22 at 10:30 AM on the site of her murder, Mai Khao Beach, North Phuket, Thalang district. He invites people to come by looking for bright pink signs, bringing hope and peace. He said the "Vigil is against Violence and to do nothing is no longer an alternative". For further info, email [email protected] or Telephone 084 842 4581 (

YouTube - Minister visits murder scene Phuket

**dirtydog** · 18-03-2008, 06:08 PM

Thai police issue arrest warrant for Swedish tourist's killer

Thai police issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for a prime suspect in the brutal murder of a Swedish woman on Phuket Island over the weekend.

Phuket Governor Nirun Gallayanamitr said, "This case has really hurt Phuket's reputation."

He was speaking at a press conference where he announced the arrest warrant for Akardej Tankae, 32, a local fisherman who is now the prime suspect in the murder of Swedish tourist Charlotta Hanna over the weekend.

Authorities have also offered a Bt100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Akardej.

Hanna, 27, was found hacked to death on Mai Khao beach on the island.

Police said they believe she was killed some time between 11.30 pm Saturday and 1 am Sunday while taking a walk on the beach.
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat visited the resort island on Monday to speed up a resolution of the murder case, which has raised concerns about security for female visitors to Thai beach resorts.

The Nation

**English Noodles** · 18-03-2008, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Police said they believe she was killed some time between 11.30 pm Saturday and 1 am Sunday while taking a walk on the beach.

Maybe should correct the time to 11.30am and 1pm.

**Bluecat** · 18-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Right, she was walking on the beach at noon, not in the middle of the night.

**dirtydog** · 18-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Police launch manhunt for prime suspect in Hanna murder

MAI KHAO: Police have been issued an arrest warrant for Phuket native Akkaradej “Chon” Tunkae, 31, a local resident in Mai Khao, for the murder of Swedish tourist Hanna Backlund, 26.

Hanna was found stabbed to death on Mai Khao Beach about 300 meters from where she was staying. Her body was discovered by Emma Stenman, who Hanna was holidaying with at the time.

At a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall at 9:45 am, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Butnampeth said that Akkaradej is believed to be in Chumphon. “On the morning of March 16 [the day after the murder], he called his wife and told her that he was in Chumphon with his daughter.

“We are working closely with Chumphon police to find him,” he said.

“Before he left, he was seen with wounds on three fingers of his right hand. His middle finger, ring finger and little finger all had plasters [band aids] on them,” Gen Decha said.

Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit said, “After questioning about 12 local villagers, including his wife, it was discovered that he liked to hide and look at foreign women who went swimming at the beach. He seemed obsessed.

“He cleaned swimming pools and did gardening for some local government offices. He was separated from ex-his wife and had remarried. He has one daughter from his ex-wife and he lived about eight kilometers from the scene [of the murder],” he said.

In 2006, Akkaradej was charged by Cherng Talay Police with robbery and later found guilty, Gen Decha said.

At that time Akkaradej used the name “Tatchai”. He changed his name after being released from prison, he added.

Phuket gazette

**Happyman** · 18-03-2008, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

It'll be OK, the bloke with a stick is here!

sorry but can't be used as evidence 'cos he isn't pointing

**Mid** · 19-03-2008, 09:43 AM

Thai suspect in Swede's killing surrenders to police
Mar 19, 2008

Bangkok - A Thai fisherman who is the prime suspect in the brutal weekend killing of a Swedish woman has turned himself over to police on Phuket Island after they issued a warrant for his arrest, media reports said Wednesday.

Akaradej Tankae, 31, confessed to police that he had killed Charlotta Hanna and then fled to Song Island, also known as Victoria Point, in neighbouring Myanmar, Major General Sawat Boonfueng, regional deputy police chief, told the Thai News Agency

snip

monstersandcritics.com

**panama hat** · 19-03-2008, 10:08 AM

Reason? Motive?

How terribly sad.

**John** · 19-03-2008, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

A Thai fisherman

Will not eat fish for some time... Want a whistle too. Too bad that I am male. No value even if I pay endless lady drinks and bare fines.

**klongmaster** · 19-03-2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

Akaradej Tankae, 31, confessed to police that he had killed Charlotta Hanna and then fled to Song Island, also known as Victoria Point, in neighbouring Myanmar

so why would he come back?...seems strange...

He should have learned from Ch****s son's experience...when you kill someone stay in a neighbouring country for 6 months and then fly home like a hero...that way you get off scot free...

if you have the 60 million to pay, that is

**Mid** · 19-03-2008, 01:40 PM

Thai suspect in Swedish tourist murder surrenders
(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Michael Battye)
Wed Mar 19, 2008

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai man suspected of killing a Swedish tourist on the southern resort island of Phuket has surrendered to police after a three-day manhunt, police said on Wednesday.

Hanna Charlotta Backlund, 27, was found stabbed to death on Saturday near her bungalow on Mai Khao beach in northern Phuket where she had gone for a walk.

"Initially I just wanted to rape her," a handcuffed Akaradech Tangae said with a smile as he was brought to Phuket police headquarters on Wednesday.

"But she resisted and I had to kill her," said the 31-year-old labourer who surrendered to police on Tuesday.

Akaradech fled to neighbouring Myanmar but returned after police assured his relatives that a murder charge would not carry the death penalty.

"He is a 'peeping tom'. He loves to bring friends to this remote and quiet beach to look at naked tourists swimming or sunbathing," Police Lieutenant-General Tani Twidsi told Reuters.

Phuket, one of the six southern provinces hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which killed 5,395 people in Thailand, is a popular destination for Western tourists fleeing cold winters.

reuters.com

**Frankenstein** · 19-03-2008, 02:09 PM

I hope the Swedish embassy requests that the DNA collected from the victim is properly checked against Akaradej Tankae.

**English Noodles** · 19-03-2008, 02:16 PM

The Thai courts will require this anyway.

**Gallowspole** · 19-03-2008, 02:31 PM

I wonder how much they 'require' to ensure that there is a match?

**Sir Burr** · 19-03-2008, 02:35 PM

Hmmmmmm.....seems to me that the BiB did a pretty good job, if this is the guy.

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