Norwegian national Simen Sparra Knudsen was stabbed to death early Sunday morning in Phuket near the Kata-Karon lookout. The details of the attack are sketchy at the moment, but from what I’ve seen it doesn’t look like a grudge killing. There’s speculation that Simen had been in a fight prior to the stabbing, but this is unconfirmed.
The 47-year-old was found lying on the side of the road with stab wounds to his chest. It’s such a tragic waste of life. Even though Phuket has this image of being a tropical haven, there are some really dark things that go on here. Shootings, beatings and stabbings occur all too regularly.
Earlier this month, six youths in their late-teens and early-20s broke into a house and gang raped a 23-year-old student. The Thai newspapers are nothing but blood and death too. The thing is, looking at the police stats, the levels of crime don’t appear to be getting much better or worse. It’s like a steady stream of violence and robberies.
I’ve never felt particularly unsafe in Phuket, but I think it’s important to bear in mind how easy it can be for seemingly peaceful situations to turn volatile, particularly with the number of pen-guns knocking around.
Violence is a part of life no matter where you live in the world. Thailand is no exception. But violence towards foreigners is a rare occurence. That being said, one should always be wary of ones surroundings.
I think the main difference in Thailand is that aside from the media making sure to post the most gruesome pictures on the front page every day, another deluding factor is that on Thailand's surface is an image of Smiling faces–warm and ever welcoming as has been the reputation to maintain. Thus any incidents with foreigners is contrary to the stereotype…even though violent incidence on foreigners has always been apparent and surely traceable far back if you really try hard enough. Alot of people suggest that violence, particularly on foreigners is getting worse or has gotten worse over the years, but I concur the only real change over the years is the advancement of technology and thus circulation of media to actually hear about events instantly.
There are some really dark rumours going around about this Norwegian case. No way I'm posting them here, but there's a lot about this story that needs to be put together. Probably won't be though.
I'm intrigued about the "dark rumours" concerning this Norwegian guy. I seem to remember attacks on foreigners being almost weekly in Thailand.
yeah there are a couple of places between patong to karon and from kata to chalong where it seams to be dangerous to be riding alone at night… unless u have an uzi of course..