Policeman suspected of killing tourists bailed

A Thai court has released on bail a policeman accused of gunning down a young British couple two months ago, sparking fears that he might try to intimidate witnesses, a prosecuting lawyer said today.

Sergeant Somchai Visetsingha is accused of killing Vanessa Arscott, 24, and Adam Lloyd, 25, on September 9. He was freed on November 2 on an unspecified amount of bail by a provincial court in the popular western tourist town of Kanchanaburi, said chief public prosecutor Pichet Kasetsin.

The suspect must appear in court on Friday, he said.

Judge Narong Suthamkoson said today that the court decided to free Somchai on bail of €18,700 so he could seek medical treatment and on the condition that he not intimidate witnesses or try to escape.

Medical records showed the suspect was suffering from broken ribs, and he also has three sons to care for, Narong told reporters.

A spokesman for the British Embassy in Bangkok declined to comment on the decision.

Somchai eluded a massive manhunt for nearly a month, but admitted to the killings after surrendering to police last month. Police had offered a €1,900 reward for help in his capture.

“The prosecution is concerned that the suspect, who faces a severe punishment if the court finds him guilty, might use his influence to harass the witnesses or make them change their statements,” Pichet said.

Details about the witnesses were unavailable, but The Nation newspaper reported that most of the 16 bystanders were reluctant to sign statements against Somchai.

“This is because the suspect is a policeman and they are afraid of retaliation because they all live nearby,” the newspaper quoted police Colonel Vej Somboon as saying.

Somchai’s trial had been delayed after he petitioned the court to change the charges against him to killing out of anger and self-defence, from pre-emptive murder and killing to cover up wrongdoing.

The initial charges carry a maximum penalty of death, but killing out of anger and self-defence would likely be punishable by a prison term, Pichet said.

Somchai has said he drew his pistol and shot Lloyd after the Briton spat in his face during an argument.

Somchai said he did not intend to kill Arscott, but he unknowingly ran into her with his car as she was trying to stop him from fleeing. After dragging her body for about 200 metres, he said he stopped his car and shot her in his panic to escape.

Kanchanaburi province is about 70 miles west of the capital, Bangkok.

The area attracts foreign tourists for its natural beauty 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 World War II.