Mrs Smith was stabbed to death in a bag snatch in Kata Noi on Tuesday night, while walking outside the Katathani Resort where she was staying on a familiarisation trip. Police are now on the hunt for the two killers.
Mrs Smith's body was this afternoon (June 22) taken from Vachira Phuket Hospital by minivan to Bangkok, where the Australian Embassy has made arrangements for her to be flown home.
Her husband Geoff told PerthNow he was struggling to comprehend how such a seasoned traveller like his wife had died in such tragic circumstances.
“She loved life, she loved travelling,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“She was a very experienced travel agent. She’d worked in travel for 40 years. It was her passion, it was her life and she’s been to many exotic places around the world.
“There were no boundaries to her horizons. For the places she’s been on her own and with escorted tours, I can’t believe it.
“She’s bungee jumped off the Victoria Bridge... She’s been all around Thailand, India and nothing fazed her.”
Mr Smith said he had no doubt his wife would have done her utmost to defend herself and keep hold of her bag.
“She would have put up a fight, for sure,” he said.
“But it doesn’t seem worth it now.”
It is believed the remaining travel agents will try to fly back to Perth late today or tonight. They were due to return on Saturday.