POLICE HAVE ONLY ISSUED WARRANT & MiniVDO: The Thai minister of Tourism and Sports inspected the location where the Swedish tourist was murdered and visited the victim’s friend at the hospital to convey his condolences.
BREAKING UPDATE: WE HAVE JUST HEARD TUESDAY MORNING THAT POLICE HAVE ONLY ISSUED WARRANT FOR A SUSPECT.
To see or download mini-video, go to
ThaisNews
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
MustavaMond@gmail.com or Telephone 084 842 4581
MiniVDO: Police state that there is much progress in the murder case after obtaining useful information from witnesses.
To see or download mini-video, go to
ThaisNews
A integrated operation centre comprising city police, tourist police, crime suppression and forensic officers is established to work on the Swedish tourist murder case to ensure that the wrong doers are swiftly brought to justice. Located at the Tha Chartchai check point, the joint force will hold a meeting at 10 o’clock everyday to report on any progress, according to the Provincial Police chief Decha Butnampet. He further stated that the investigation is much in progress due to information from witnesses and evidence at the crime scene, which should lead to the arrest of criminal(s). Phuket Police chief Pol Maj Gen Decha Butrnamphet revealed that the Phuket Tourism Association offered a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to the arrest of the murder(s). Meanwhile Miss Backlund’s body has been sent to Bangkok and is to be repatriated to her home country by the Swedish Embassy.
Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Tuesday 18 March 2008 &
Êӹѡ¢èÒÇ ¡ÃÁ»ÃЪÒÊÑÁ¾Ñ¹¸ì......ThaisNews »ÃШÓÇѹÍѧ¤Ò÷Õè 18 ÁÕ¹Ò¤Á 2551