Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
Teerawat Thothip, a 27-year-old Phuket resident, has been charged with murder and robbery.
The victim was 57-year-old Swiss tourist Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, reported BBC.
When her body was found on August 6 near Ao Yon waterfall, the victim had been dead for no more than three days when discovered, according to Swissinfo.
As her body was covered by a black sheet, police suspected foul play.
Investigators managed to trace the suspect using security camera footage, and found scratches and bruises on Thothip when he was brought in for questioning.
Stole 300 baht
According to a press conference on August 8, Thothip said he just wanted her money and belongings.
When he tried to steal from her, a fight ensued, and he strangled her.
He escaped with 300 baht (S$12.17) from the woman’s backpack.
According to Reuters, the deputy provincial police chief told reporters that Thothip used it to buy drugs, drinks and phone repairs.
He admitted that he did it for the money, as he was broke and remained unemployed from the Covid-19 pandemic, reported The Washington Post.
At the press conference, he also apologised to the victim's family, and begged all Thais to forgive him.
Phuket's Sandbox scheme for tourists
The Swiss woman was visiting Phuket alone under the new Sandbox scheme which launched in July.
Under the scheme, fully vaccinated travellers can enter the island without quarantine as long as they stay for two weeks.
Thailand's tourist industry has taken a big hit from the pandemic. In the first month of the scheme, Phuket welcomed 15,000 visitors, just 1 per cent of pre-pandemic arrivals.
Top image via Getty Images.
Follow and listen to our podcast here