Life is not enough, says Michelles husband

Life is not enough, says Michelles husband


Surasak Suwannachot and Surin Tadtong were both charged with killing for personal gain, killing in association with one another, carrying weapons in public and conspiracy to commit robbery, after Ms Smith was stabbed during a botched handbag robbery on June 20.

They were initially sentenced to death (see earlier story here) but the two judges commuted the sentence for both men to life imprisonment because they had cooperated with the court and had admitted their guilt.

Mrs Smith’s husband Geoff said he would have preferred the death sentence.

“I thought they might have got the death sentence but life in jail over there is different to life in jail here, I guess,” he told the Watoday website.

Mr Smith said the sentence did little to help him deal with the devastation of losing his wife.

The rapid conclusion to the case – it took just six weeks from Mrs Smith’s death – would help with the healing process, the website reported.

“It doesn’t make it any easier but it’s a step towards closure,” Mr Smith was quoted as saying.

After yesterday’s judgement both men were taken straight from the court to begin their sentences in the Phuket Provincial Prison.

Mrs Smith was stabbed in the evening of June 20 during a botched bag-snatching as she and fellow travel agent Tammee Lynn walked back from dinner to their resort, the Katathani in Kata Noi.

Just about 100 metres from the resort, Surin and Surasak stopped next to them and Surasak tried to grab Mrs Smith’s handbag. She clung on to it, so Surasak got off the bike and, as Ms Lynn came to Mrs Smith’s aid, swung a large knife over his head, stabbing down at the two women.

He then gave up on the robbery, and he and Surin sped off.

Ms Lynn was slashed in the arm, but Mrs Smith was stabbed in the chest, the knife penetrating her heart. By the time the two reached the resort, Mrs Smith was already dying. She expired outside the staff entrance.

A major manhunt was launched, backed by a reward of B300,000 for information leading to the arrest of the duo. Thanks to careful police work, police were able to get their mobile phone numbers and, through these, the men’s whereabouts.

Both were arrested just five days later, Surin in Samut Sakorn, near Bangkok, and Surasak in Chumphon province.