Police close on murder suspects

An arrest is believed to be imminent over the murder of Perth travel agent Michelle Smith in Phuket last week.

Thai police last night issued arrest warrants for two suspects and said the identity of the men was now known, four days after the 60-year-old mother of three was fatally stabbed during a bungled bag snatch. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had urged police to intensify efforts to find the men.

A reward of 300,000 baht ($9670) has been offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the men, who attacked Mrs Smith from a motorcycle. At the time, she was among a group of 10 travel agents returning to their hotel after a meal.

Mrs Smith, from Joondalup and a veteran of the travel industry, struggled as the passenger on the bike tried to steal her bag. She was fatally injured when he plunged a 10cm knife into her chest.