Top national police officials flew to the island of Phuket this morning to investigate the suspected murder of a Swiss holidaymaker who came to Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox scheme only to be killed while visiting a waterfall.
A horrific crime involving the possible rape and murder of a tourist, coming as Thailand looks to Phuket to lead it out of pandemic darkness, has prompted national police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk to fly to the island with a team of investigators to figure out what happened to the 57-year-old Swiss woman, whose body was found yesterday afternoon beside a creek near the Ton Ao Yon Waterfall in Phuket City.
Coconuts Bangkok is withholding the woman’s name until there has been enough time for her family to be notified.
The woman reportedly entered Thailand on July 13 via the Phuket Sandbox scheme, which kicked off July 1. She had stayed at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Hotel in Thalang district until July 27, when her mandatory 14 days elapsed, before moving to The Mooring Resort located in Phuket City.
The Ton Ao Yon Waterfall, where she was found dead, is located only 1.4 kilometers from her hotel.
Police believe the woman had been dead not less than 48 hours before her body was discovered Thursday. Phuket media reported that she was found partially covered by a tarp, naked from the waist down. The body was sent for an autopsy.
According to ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai expressed his condolences to the Swiss ambassador for the “murder” of the Swiss woman. Tanee said that Phuket’s governor also called the ambassador to extend his condolences and promise a speedy investigation and autopsy.
“On behalf of the Province of Phuket and the people of Phuket, I wish to extend my profound sympathy and deepest condolences to Nicole’s family and friends, also the Swiss Confederation,” Phuket Gov. Narong Woonciew said in an English-language statement that vowed to “investigate what happened and bring justice to [the victim].”
Related
Entire island of Phuket sealed off 2 weeks
6 ‘Phuket Sandbox’ travelers have COVID-19: health officials
Things don’t work for confused travelers one day before Phuket ‘reopening’
