Tourists assaulted, raped on Koh Samui

BANGKOK (AFP): Two female tourists from Britain and Ireland were sexually assaulted on the island resort of Koh Samui, police said yesterday. Deputy Police Chief Sant Sarutanond said a search had been mounted for two Thai men suspected of raping the British national and sexually abusing the Irish tourist over the weekend. Sant said he had asked local police to quickly locate the suspects because the crime was damaging to Thailand’s image as a safe holiday destination. “It affects the country’s image and tourism,” he said. “We will arrest the suspects as soon as possible.” The two tourists were attacked early Sunday near their hotel on Koh Samui’s Lamai Beach. Other tourists identified the attackers as Thais who spoke English well. Police said the women were injured while trying to fight off their attackers and were later taken to a local hospital for treatment. Two weeks ago, a Frenchman employed by one of Koh Samui’s leading hotels was murdered in the hotel’s parking lot.