Thailand suffering over failure to capture killer

Thailand’s international image is suffering over its inability to capture a policeman suspected of murdering two British tourists last month, a senior tourism official said today

Vanessa Arscott, 24, of Ashburton, Devon, and Adam Lloyd, 25, from Torquay, also Devon, were killed on September 9 in Kanchanaburi province, 70 miles west of Bangkok.

A €2,000 reward has been offered for help in capturing Sgt. Somchai Visetsingha, their suspected killer.

The failure to capture Somchai could damage relations with Britain, warned Akhom Chanang, assistant director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s central region.

British diplomats have been pressing for a resolution of the case, and are expected to meet Kanchanaburi police officials this week to discuss the progress of the investigation and manhunt.

Witnesses quoted by police say they saw the victims arguing with Somchai at a riverside restaurant. He later allegedly approached the couple in a car, shot the man, and then ran down the woman as she tried to flee before shooting her at close range.

Both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.

An arrest warrant was issued for Somchai after his private car was found with bloodstains and pieces of human flesh stuck to its exterior.

Kanchanaburi is a popular tourist destination due to its natural splendours and because it is the site of the infamous bridge over the River Kwai, where Japanese troops built a railway using prisoners of war during the Second World War, of particular interest to foreign visitors.

On weekdays, 80% of the visitors to the province are foreigners, according to Akhom’s office.

The region has rough terrain with heavy jungle and borders Burma, making it a favourable area for a fugitive.