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With so many Britons murdered in Thailand, why does our Government not warn of the dangers faced there?
Would you believe that’s a headline from The Independent? Andrew Spooner wrote an article that was published on January 13. His opening gambit:
At least 17 Britons have been murdered in Thailand since 2003 – including Toby Charnaud, brutally slain by his Thai wife. Now, his family want to know why our Government is so reluctant to warn that the 'Land of Smiles' is one of the most dangerous places on earth for its British residents.
Madness. Africa? South America? Brixton? In 2005, Toby Charnaud was unfortunate enough to be killed and cut up into pieces, thanks to his ex-wife. Most of you probably remember that case.
Yet what also emerges from the death of Charnaud and many others is the fact that Thailand, despite its popularity with the British, is among the most dangerous places in the world for UK visitors – a fact that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been reluctant to publicise.
So here is Andrew Spooner — the reporter, not the family of the deceased — asserting that Thailand is one of the most dangerous places on earth for UK visitors. To his credit, he does have figures to back him up, but that doesn’t negate that fact that he is deliberately misleading his readers.
On average, about 50 civilian UK nationals are murdered around the world each year (excluding terrorist attacks). This means that almost 10 per cent of all murders of Britons abroad are committed in Thailand – a chilling figure, given that Thailand comprises only 0.6 per cent of all foreign travel from UK shores.
He is painting a black picture of Thailand because of five murders. The article goes into great depth regarding the life of Charnaud, but the whole thing seems realty rather pointless.
What are people’s thoughts? Is there any need for an article like this? Is it scaremongering or does it need to said?
I’m off to Bangkok tomorrow so might be a little light on blog posts. Happy Friday.




