Tattoo artist charged with premediated murder

Tiwat Kasempok ,whom police say has confessed to the killing, is now in police detention.

"This is a blatant crime that hurts Thailand's image," Police Superintendent Colonel Charoon Uchuparp said yesterday. He heads the Ko Pha-ngan police station.

Charoon said Tiwat, a tattoo artist, apologised to Ko Pha-ngan locals and other people for damaging Thailand's reputation. "I am ready to face the consequences of my own actions," he reportedly said.

Charoon said Tiwat had confessed to the killing of Astrid Al-Assaad Schachmer on a beach because he did not want her to continue hanging around him.

The German tourist had stayed on Koh Pha-ngan - an island famous for full moon parties - since December 10 last year.

Tiwat told police the woman tried to start a romantic relationship with him and often threw a jealous rage when seeing him with other women.

"I had told her several times that I've had no romantic interest in her but she did not listen," he said, "Her persistency made me annoyed and angry".

Tiwat is divorced with two young children, now living with their paternal grandparents in Phuket.

The victim was also a divorcee. Her ex-husband is a tattoo artist in Germany.

According to police, Tiwat said he felt so restless after killing the German woman that he phoned his mother to talk about it.

Provincial Police Region 8 commissioner Lt General Santharn Chayanont said yesterday additional safety measures must be introduced to the island.

"There should be more patrols in secluded spots after 7pm," he said, "We have to ensure that tourists are safe".