Three Arrested Over Briton Yacht Murder

Police investigating the murder of a British holidaymaker who was attacked and thrown into the sea off Thailand's southern coast, have arrested three men.

The body of Malcolm Robertson, 64, who was killed while sailing with his wife Linda, 57, near Koh Dong, has not been found.

Police Captain Suparak Pongkarnjana said a gang of pirates had kidnapped the couple and slit Mr Robertson's throat with a knife. They then threw him overboard when he shouted for help.

Thai police said three Burmese migrant workers had confessed to killing the 64-year-old after he caught them climbing on to the moored yacht.

Mrs Robertson's brother, John Clee, said she was also tied up and held hostage in the yacht’s cabin for up to ten hours.

Mr Clee, who spoke to his sister by telephone on Tuesday, said: "She heard people coming on board the boat and called out to Malcolm to let him know that someone was coming in.

"Malcolm must have come up and spoken to them because she heard him - there was a confrontation and then she heard him say 'get off the boat, get off the boat'.

"There was a bit more kerfuffle and nothing else was said, and it all went very quiet."

Mr Clee said all four children were on their way to Thailand to offer their support to Mrs Robertson, who escaped with minor injuries.

He said: "She's got swollen arms and legs because she was tied up for eight to 10 hours in the cabin. She didn't know what was happening to Malcolm, she was kept locked up."

The Foreign Office said it was "urgently pursuing the case" with Thai police. A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a British couple were attacked whilst sailing off the coast of Satun, southern Thailand... our consular team in Bangkok are in touch with the next of kin and are providing consular assistance."

She added: "Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. We are urgently pursuing this case with local police who are investigating the incident."

Thai police confirmed three migrant workers from neighbouring Burma were arrested on the raft about half a mile from the yacht. They remain in custody.

(JM/BMcC)