shock over too many tourist murders

Shock over tourist murders

Government moving quickly to restore confidence in country's biggest
business

By Post reporters
The government is rushing to shore up the confidence of tourists
shaken by the latest killings of holidaymakers, which could affect the
industry which generates the largest amount of foreign exchange in
Thailand.

Thailand's reputation as a safe destination for tourists suffered
another setback with the March 15 murder of Swedish tourist Hannah
Charlotte Bankluns, 27, who was stabbed to death while sunbathing in
Phuket.

Yesterday an Indian tourist, Chetn Dadhwal, 24, was also stabbed to
death as he tried to break up a fight during the Full Moon party on
Rin beach at Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.

The murders come as a wake-up call for the authorities, who seem to
show no concern about the shortage of investment in the tourism
industry or the political will to improve the safety of tourists. The
tourism industry continues to be the largest earner of foreign
exchange and the biggest generator of jobs in Thailand.

Statistics released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) put
last year's revenue at about 500 billion baht. The agency projects
this year's income to be 800 billion baht.

Tourism experts said people only travel to destinations that they feel
safe in. Thailand owed much of its reputation as the region's tourist
hub to its safety record.

The heavy competition in the tourism industry gives the government all
the more reason to improve security for tourists. A tragic incident in
one country could be a blessing for another country going after the
same tourist segments, say the experts.

They warned of the hidden dangers of a surge in tourist arrivals as it
could overstretch the country's resources and lead to less protection
for visitors.

Tourist Police Division commander Choochat Suwannakom said there were
not enough police to patrol the beaches, with the jump in numbers of
foreign tourists from 12-14 million to 16-18 million annually over the
past few years.

The division has been training volunteers recruited from local
residents to offer security to tourists. But only 20% of the trainees
actually went on to do the work, said Pol Maj-Gen Choochat.

"Local people know best where the dangers are," he said.

He added that despite a disappointing result, the volunteer programme
would continue. Volunteers would be taught the basics of foreign
languages to help them communicate with tourists.

Montri Naruekatapichai, president of the Phuket tourism association,
said a number of local tourism businesses have chipped in and given
provincial police a million baht a year to help boost police
capabilities to provide visitors with safety from December to January
when the numbers of tourists climb.

Mr Montri said visitors to Phuket were under-protected because the
province needs more than the 1,000 police officers it now employs.

He said local tour companies contributed to the 100,000-baht bounty on
the head of the Bankluns killer.

Suwalai Pinpradab, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's
southern office, said the Bankluns murder has spurred those involved
in the tourism business to collaborate efforts to boost the safety of
tourists.

"The incident is an important lesson for us," she said.

The director said Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat has
paid special attention to the murder case.

Mr Weerasak was in Phuket earlier this week to hand out whistles
tourists could blow to get people's attention if they are being
attacked.

Before the month is out, the Tourist Police Division hopes to be able
to distribute the whistles along with some 100,000 copies of a revised
version of its safety pamphlets targetting foreign female
holidaymakers.

An important piece of advice will be added to the pamphlets, warning
bikini-clad female sunbathers to be mindful of where they are going on
the beaches.

Women tourists are urged to wear a whistle when they stroll along a
beach and not to wear a swimsuit which reveals too much.

Pol Maj-Gen Choochat said it is the first time his office has produced
pamphlets specifically for female tourists. They will be advised to be
careful of the environment and go with friends if they wear bikinis to
secluded beaches.

They also should avoid walking along beaches in the dark and always
carry the whistle.

"Many tourists, particularly those from Europe, come here to enjoy the
beaches. They tend to choose a quiet spot away from other people, take
off the bikini and sunbathe.

"That's when the attackers strike," the commander said.

They have been accused of "putting up the fence after the cows have
gone", but the police, he said, are looking to make similar safety
pamphlets available at other tourist attractions, including waterfalls
and mountains.

The bikini warning will be highlighted in the pamphlets, along with
tips including how to avoid unscrupulous jewellery shops.

Wearing revealing bikinis, however, is not always the reason rapists
attack, according to behaviour psychologist Pol Maj-Gen Pongpat
Chayapan.

Many attackers and rapists are psychologically abnormal and can attack
even if the victim is fully clothed.











Are you reading this, Mark?

I'm a partner in crime on this one. Since coming to LOS the first
time in 1971, I have never and that is never, been a part of hurting
anyone. I want now to try and help a young guy in Australia if I can
to undo some damage I feel. If you are reading this or if someone
knows this guy out there, step in and help him now! I'm currently
sitting with your true love. First let's try and help let you know
who she is. Her name is Aom, 23, and she has a tattoo on her right
shoulder with a flower and the name Chris on it. You just recently
sent her over 200 dollars. Each time you call and that's everyday,
she tells you she is alone. Mark W. from Sydney, you are being taken
for a LONG ride. This is just another sad story of a young guy who
came here for months and got suckered. I can only say this is a story
that is all too common. When I found out, I have put this down on
paper to help you. SHE IS DOING FOR ME what she has done for you.
Let this be a lesson to all you guys who REALLY think you are the only
one. Good luck and I hope you wise up.