PATTAYA, Thailand (26 Feb 2007) -- Police have offered a $3,000 reward for the capture of the gunman who brutally gunned down two female tourists on a beach in Pattaya. The two women, Livbov Svirkova, 25, and Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, were gunned down on Jomtien Beach in front of the Dragon Beach hotel on Saturday night. Previous reports by Thailand's state-controlled media attempted to link the victims with prostitution and drugs, however, police have now confirmed that both women were ordinary tourists on their first holiday in Thailand. Police said they were trying to find out if the victims had somehow become involved in a conflict with Pattaya's notorious crime gangs. Police also told CDNN that security cameras in the area confirm reports by a hotel staff that the gunman fled the scene of the crime on a motorcycle. Despite multi-million dollar advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Thailand as Asia's most attractive holiday destination, violent attacks against foreigners have increased sharply in Pattaya, Phuket and other popular resort areas throughout Thailand. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
