The case, in which two females were raped and two males injured by five members of a Cambodian fishing crew, is a major concern for police, following the Koh Tao tragedy in which two British tourists were murdered in 2014.
The latest incident prompted deputy national police chief Pol Gen Wut Liptapanlop to call a meeting with police in 18 tourist provinces to find better ways of preventing such crimes. They agreed on a move to provide additional information to foreigners, increasing police patrols and adding more warning signs.
Tourists must be alerted to the potential threats and possible dangers that can occur in tourist areas, Pol Gen Wut said.
“An increase in the number of police alone cannot solve the problem,” he said.
Pol Gen Wut said a warning sign posted near the resort might have helped, as it could have warned the tourists against walking to the quiet area, located one kilometre away, where they were attacked. He added the route taken by the victims is one rarely used by tourists.
Trat police chief Pol Maj Gen Nopparat Rintapon described the area, which is located behind the resort, as “desolate and dark”.
The victims walked into this area on Feb 27 on their way to dinner, when they came across their attackers, who are believed to have swum to Koh Kut from their fishing vessel which was anchored at Ao Phrao.
Investigators suspect the fishermen wanted to take a break on the island and buy some liquor.
According to the investigation, the victims tried in vain to escape from the attackers, who were armed with knives and sticks.
Two male tourists, Thomas Buriron, 30, and Edbri Ronain Rene, 29, were injured and the two women, one aged 57 and the other 28, were raped and seriously assaulted, according to the investigation.
One of the male victims managed to escape and asked resort staff for help, Pol Maj Gen Nopparat said.
The staff, together with villagers, quickly went to the area prompting the suspects, some without clothes, to flee, according to the investigation.
While the four victims were taken to Koh Kut hospital, police began their search for the attackers. Their operation led to the rapid arrest of the three suspects, who were hiding in a nearby forest, less than two hours after their alleged assault.
With the help of officers from the Royal Thai Marine Corps, the authorities arrested another two suspects on the same day, as they were about to escape to Cambodia’s south-western province of Koh Kong.
The five suspects are identified as Yim, 25, Pai, 22 , Goen, 25, and Tee and Boad Mar, both of whom are 20. All worked on the Chok Kamolwan fishing boat.
The investigation into the case has yet to wrap up. Besides adding warning signs, authorities will strictly enforce Section 38 of the Immigration Act, demanding hotel and apartment operators provide information on their guests to police for security purposes.
Information on foreign fishing crews is also needed to help increase safety measures, he said.
At present, fishing boats are not allowed to anchor near tourist areas, Tourist Police deputy chief Pol Col Rungrot Sayanprasoet said, citing a law that prohibits foreign fishermen from going ashore.
Properly enforcing these measures, together with police patrols, would provide enhanced protection for tourists.
Patrols also need to be strengthened while officers may require assistance from civilian lookouts.
“We’re always training both Thai and foreign volunteers, hoping they can help police look out for any irregularities,”Pol Col Rungrot said.
Read original story here.