Perth woman stabbed to death in Phuket

[Nereus]

Perth woman stabbed to death in Phuket

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/ne ... in-phuket/

A 60-year-old Perth travel agent has been stabbed to death in Phuket overnight after a struggle with a handbag thief.

The woman, Michelle Smith, worked at RAC Travel in Joondalup.

Phuket Wan Tourism News reports that Thai police were hunting two assailants this morning after the incident on the holiday island about 10.30pm.

It is understood the woman struggled with a man when he tried to snatch Ms Smith's bag. He plunged a 10cm knife into her chest and fled with another man on a motorcycle. She died at the scene.

The injured 42-year-old woman, also part of the group of 10 travel agents from Perth, was slashed on the arm during the attack and was treated in a Phuket hospital.

The travel agents arrived in Thailand on Monday to inspect the five-star Katathani Beach Resort, south of Patong on Phuket's west coast, according to Phuket Wan.

A fellow travel agent and former colleague of Ms Smith told thewest.com.au this morning that she was shocked to hear the news this morning.

The friend, who did not want to be named, described the 60-year-old as feisty and “full of life”.

“She was breath of fresh air, she always had everyone in hysterics,” she said.

“She was fun-loving and just one of those people who you thought—I’d love to be like her when I’m her age — just so full of life.

“I’m not surprised she fought back — she was an experienced traveller and worked hard for her money—most of us would have done the same thing.

“Its just tragic it would end up like it did though.”

This morning Kylie Daff from Motive Travel in Perth, who was travelling with Ms Smith, reassured her friends and family that she was safe and well via Facebook.

Ms Daff posted on her wall “Guys, it may have hit local news…I’m ok, with a supportive group of people. Can’t update further just yet, will keep post when ok to do so ”

Ms Daff and the remainder of the group are expected to return to Perth today after special travel arrangements made for their immediate evacuation.

The motorcycle thieves tried to snatch the bag in the narrow road outside the resort but fled empty-handed. The victims did not realise immediately that Ms Smith had been stabbed.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson said this morning: “We can confirm the death of a 60 year old Australian woman from Western Australia in Phuket and are providing consular assistance to her family.

"We are also providing consular assistance to a 42 year old Australian woman from Western Australia who was injured in the incident.

"It would not be appropriate to discuss the case further while a police investigation is in progress.”

One of the travel agents told police: ''We were walking single-file along the road, coming back from dinner. These guys had gone past a couple of times, and that started to bother us.

"Then I heard a noise behind me and I turned to see what I thought was my friend being pushed in the chest. I tried to help her.

"The men rode off, empty-handed. We started walking again, and only then did we realise we'd both been slashed."

Phuket Wan reports two of the travel agents later watched in horror, hugging each other and crying, as the body of their colleague was shifted from a makeshift resting place in a loading dock at the resort to an ambulance.

Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham sped to the Phuket International Hospital in Phuket City to check the condition of the wounded woman before joining Phuket police in interviewing her at the resort, Phuketwan reports.

[GLCQuantum]

Just been reading this somewhere else. A truly horrible tragedy. I hope the guys are caught.

May she rest in peace.

[kendo]

I agree poor lady RIP.

Kendo.

[cozza]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/smartphone/a ... id=8487202

This also in Phuket...

[Jimbob]

This story has had major coverage on all media outlets. Travel agents are probably not making Phuket sound so safe. Columnists are noting the dangers of looking rich in third world countries.

[Aussie Mark]

It was at Kata Beach ,so not even in Patong.The lady was about to retire and travel around Australia by caravan with her husband .Had been employed in the travel business for over 30 years
Australian Federal Police have been sent over, the Thai police have promised to catch the two culprits .They have video evidence of the two on a motorbike

[nanyang]

They have video evidence of the two on a motorbike

Whilst this is another tragic event in Thailand involving a non-Thai I doubt they have any video evidence.

the Thai police have promised to catch the two culprits .

Now there's another oxymoron to remember - Thai police and promises.

[Aussie Mark]

I am from Perth and the footage actually shows the two on the motorbike riding past them and turning around several times.
If the police actually get the right people is another matter

[jamesfrancis1]

My brother lives in Australia and is due to visit us later this year.
As they have children they have now asked us not to take them to Phuket.
They are concerned having seen all the news reports at home.

Thailand is not as safe as the Government lets us believe.

I tune into UK news and cannot remember hearing a visitor being killed or assaulted for some time now.

Hope truly this craze does not spread to Hua Hin.
But then it may already be here, just suppressed as far as news reporting is concerned for the good of the countries image and tourist trade.

Hope they catch the scum in Phuket real soon.

[caller]

I tune into UK news and cannot remember hearing a visitor being killed or assaulted for some time now.

you obviously missed this yesterday then:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18547626

Plenty more on this forum.

[sticks]

does any one know why the guy in pattaya was hit over the head with a iron bar is there a link on this site some where to read about it ?

[sateeb]

Look at the link above yours

[jamesfrancis1]

I tune into UK news and cannot remember hearing a visitor being killed or assaulted for some time now.

you obviously missed this yesterday then:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18547626

Plenty more on this forum.

Caller, l did not make my remark very clear, sorry.

I was referring to overseas visitors to the UK being killed, mugged, shot, knifed while on holiday.

Thanks for the link though.
That is 4 in not so many weeks?
The poor Australian lady killed, her friend slashed with a knife, a British man in Phuket stabbed in the body and now this man hit over the head in Pattaya.

Welcome to amazing Thailand!!!

[caller]

Righty-ho JF1, I see now that could have been down to my interpretation!

[dtaai-maai]

I tune into UK news and cannot remember hearing a visitor being killed or assaulted for some time now.

you obviously missed this yesterday then:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18547626

Plenty more on this forum.

Caller, l did not make my remark very clear, sorry.
I was referring to overseas visitors to the UK being killed, mugged, shot, knifed while on holiday.

Two explanations:

1. Visitors to the UK being attacked are no longer national news
2. There are no visitors