The UK Sunday Times of 8 January had a long article about the number of murders and disappearances in Thailand and other S.E. Asian countries in recent months.

Koh Samui was picked out as a particularly risky place, with locals quoted along the lines of "there's a nasty local mafia (mainly, it seems, focused on the sex trade) and the local police are just as bad if not worse".

The paper suggested that difficulties often arise because (1) visitors flash their money and signs of obvious wealth around too openly, (2) visitors assume that these places are just as safe as at home (e.g. it's just as safe to go walking off the beaten track after dark).

Implied conclusion of the piece was to stay clear - with particular reference to Koh Samui.