Three held over murder of British yachtsman in Thailand

Published on Tuesday 24 March 2009 14:57

THREE Burmese fishermen have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a British yacht skipper off southern Thailand's Andaman sea coast, police said today.

Thai police said 64-year-old Malcolm Robertson was killed yesterday while sailing with his wife Linda near Koh Dong, an island about 45 miles west of Satun province.

A spokesman said the men, migrant workers from neighbouring Burma, confessed to killing Mr Robertson after he caught them climbing onto his moored yacht in an attempt to steal a raft.

When Mr Robertson shouted for help they cut his throat before throwing his body overboard.

The body has not yet been found.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "One British national has been reported missing and another British national is in hospital.

"We are in touch with next-of-kin and are providing consular assistance.

"We understand that Thai police have arrested three suspects."