Reference: Jomtien tourist killer sentenced to death, Bangkok Post, September 4, 2007

Earlier this year it was reported that two young Russian women, who were sitting on beach chairs on Jomtien Beach early one morning, were shot in the back of the head at very close range and killed. The primary concern of Thai authorities at that time was that the murders would adversely affect Thailand's image and the tourism business. Apparently that is still the case. In the grand Asian tradition of scapegoatism, they found a suitable suspect who confessed to the crime. He said that he had wanted to rob the victims and when they raised a hue and cry he became scared and shot them instead. He was tried and sentenced to death. In his sentencing, he apologized to the city of Jomtien for the harm that he may have caused to their tourism business there. No apology to the relatives of the victims was deemed necessary, nor an explanation of how the execution style killings were carried out during a hue and cry. The important thing is that an ugly matter has been put to rest in an acceptable manner and the damage to the tourism business has been controlled. Image over substance is the Asian way. Truth for truth's sake has little value out here in the land of smiles where money can buy you love and a whole lot more.

Cha-am Jamal