Somchai wisetsingh

Somchai Wisetsingh is a decorated Thai Police Officer who was convicted of the murder of two British tourists in the Thai town of Kanchanaburi in 2004.

The incident

On September 9th 2004, Adam Lloyd (25) and Vanessa Arscott (24) were enjoying a meal in the S & S Restaurant in Kanchanaburi, owned by Mr. Wisetsingh, when a heated argument ensued resulting in the execution style murder of the couple by the off duty Policeman.After the argument, Wisetsingh followed the couple back to the Sugar Cane Guesthouse in his car before shooting Mr Lloyd three times; once in the head, once in the arm and once in the torso. He then chased Ms. Arscott in his car for some 200 metres before running her down and shooting her twice, execution style, in the chest and the head. [British couple shot dead by Thai policeman after restaurant row [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=2562951] ] Both Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Arscott were declared dead on arrival at hospital.

Wisetsingh disappeared immediately after the incident, fleeing to hide from a Police manhunt over the border in Burma. He later returned to Thailand on 7th of October 2004 confessing to the crime and performing re-enactments of the incident on television for Police.

Trial and Verdict

During the trial Wisetsingh changed his plea to Not Guilty and denied the murders, blaming them on a mysterious Mr. Ya, a drugs informant who he claimed shot the couple while trying to protect his handler. Wisetsingh indicated he was coerced into previous confessions. [Brutal end to 'wonderful holiday' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/4581789.stm] ] He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to serve two life sentences, only escaping the death sentence because of his record as a decorated Police officer and his initial confession to Police.

References