Thais jailed for killing tourist

Two Thai men were sentenced to life in prison yesterday for murdering an Australian tourist they were trying to rob on a popular resort island.

Michelle Smith had travelled to Phuket with colleagues to survey the island for their travel agency. She was walking near her hotel on 20 June when two men on a passing motorcycle tried to steal her handbag.

CCTV cameras captured the attack. When Ms Smith resisted having her bag snatched, passenger Surasak Suwannachote, 26, jumped off the bike and stabbed her repeatedly.

Ms Smith, 60, collapsed and died shortly afterwards.