Tourist rape, killing puts island on alert

Police have stepped up security on Chon Buri's Koh Sichang in the wake of the death of a 27-year-old German tourist who was raped and killed on Sunday.

"An instruction has been given to police to stay vigilant and find ways to prevent crimes in the area," said Pol Col Sakrapee Piewpanit, deputy commander of Chon Buri police. "This is aimed at creating confidence among travellers along with the locals."

Charges of rape, premeditated murder, concealing a corpse and drug use have been filed against a suspect, Ronnakorn Romruen, 23, according to Pol Col Sakrapee.

The body of the victim Miriam, whose full name was withheld, has been sent to the Police General Hospital and the German embassy notified to contact her family to claim the body, he noted.

Mr Ronnakorn was taken to the scene where the victim was attacked to re-enact his alleged crime yesterday. More than 50 police officers attended.

Pol Col Sakrapee said the suspect confessed to attacking the German tourist.

This attack has rekindled calls among the public for capital punishment against rapists.

The administrator of the E-Jeab Leab Duan Facebook page, which has more than 2.8 million followers, posted messages saying that the death penalty should be more rigorously enforced.

The admin also challenged human rights advocates, who are opposed to capital punishment, arguing whether they really believed rapists can reform themselves while behind bars.

According to police, the suspect said he saw the victim riding a motorcycle on the island. He began talking to her and asked her for sex, but was rebuffed. He then followed her along a path leading to Phra Chulachomklao mountain and Atsadang flagpole before attacking her in woodland nearby after she noticed him behind her and tried to flee, said police.