You know I love your paper, but lets get incorrect use of "robbery" that is present in all your article about thefts sorted!! I realise the reporter's first language may not be English, but the title is inaccurate and sensationalist. I was expecting to hear how two tourists were held at gun point or knife point, which is what a robbery is, but alas no...It's just a bag snatch, a petty theft, not a robbery.

And who in their right minds leaves that much dosh and valuable unattended on the beach?

Posted by NG on July 2, 2010 23:51

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Main Entry: rob
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): robbed; robbing
Etymology: Middle English robben, from Anglo-French rober, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German roub to rob
Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a (1) : to take something away from by force : steal from (2) : to take personal property from by violence or threat b (1) : to remove valuables without right from (a place) (2) : to take the contents of (a receptacle) c : to take away as loot : steal - rob jewelry
2 a : to deprive of something due, expected, or desired b : to withhold unjustly or injuriously

Posted by Benjie on July 3, 2010 15:57

"Editor Comment:

The headline 'Robbed Phuket Tourists Barely Miss a Beat' is inaccurate and sensationalist? Hmmm . . ."

Yeah it's sensationalist because the tourists were not robbed. A robbery is a much more serious crime. Force or fear was not an element of the crime. It's a theft. There is a big difference.

Sorry, it's just a pet peeve of mine.

Posted by NG on July 3, 2010 20:35