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Published on September 4, 2007

Anuchit Lamlert got the maximum punishment after the court decided not to cut his sentence on grounds the defendant confessed only because of the weight of evidence against him.

The court said Anuchit's lengthy criminal record showed he had sought to benefit himself through brutal and lawless acts, with no regard for social peace and the country's tourism image.

The reading of the verdict was attended by Anuchit's parents and siblings, family members of his victims and representatives of the Russian Consulate.

Anuchit, who at first appeared calm, broke into tears and hugged his parents upon hearing his sentence.

"Don't worry, everything is justly deserved," he was heard telling them.

Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, arrived in Thailand with a Russian tour party on February 16 and were shot dead by Anuchit as they sat in deckchairs on a Jomtien beach just before dawn on February 24.

Police later arrested Anuchit and seized a 9mm pistol and a red-and-black motorcycle used in the attack.

Anuchit confessed to police that he murdered the women after they resisted his attempt to rob them.

The Nation

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