Janika ter Ellen
The family of a New Zealander killed on holiday in Thailand say they're becoming increasingly frustrated with local police.
Charles Jones, 56, from Westport, was found dead and covered in blood in his Pattaya hotel room on Tuesday night.
But his family say they're getting more information from media than from police.
Mr Jones' family remember him outgoing and generous, but say police handling of his killing has been poor and fails to honour his life.
"They just say, 'This is Pattaya, a murder happens here every day,'" says Alison McMillan. "They just didn't seem to care, they're not very interested."
Mr Jones was a recent convert to Catholicism, playing the organ in Westport's Saint Canice's Church, and president of the World Croquet Federation.
Local media have picked up the story of his killing after police initially tried to conceal it.
"They like the tourists to keep coming there, to their country, and it probably doesn't do their tourism side any good," says Ms McMillan.
What's more, local media say police know who killed Mr Jones, but are refusing to release details.
The key may lie in CCTV footage of his hotel the night he died.
"It showed some guy waiting in the foyer, and then coming out half an hour later, back to the foyer, holding Charles' computer," says Ms McMillan.
Neighbours had apparently heard the sounds of a fight but did not check on him. 3 News understands he was repeatedly stabbed.
Embassy staff have told family they can expect to have Charles' body back within two or three days, and plans for his funeral are now underway.
3 News
source: newshub archive
