The Thai killers of an Australian travel agent have escaped the death penalty in Phuket.
Instead Surasat "Boy" Suwannachote, 26, and Surin Tadthong, 37, have both received life imprisonment for the murder of Michelle Smith, who was with a group of Perth travel agents visiting Phuket on a famil trip when she was attacked outside her hotel.
In Thailand life imprisonment is the equivalent of 100 years.
A judge in Phuket Central Court told the pair he would have ordered their execution if they had not admitted their involvement in the murder of Mrs Smith on June 20.
Security camera footage showed Surasat stabbing Ms Smith, 60, while trying to grab her handbag.
Surin stole a motorcycle and was present during the attack.
Lawyers said both men are likely to die in jail even with royal and other remissions.
