THE life of British backpacker Johanne Masheder was brutally snuffed out during a visit to a tourist attraction in Thailand.

A Buddhist monk has confessed to killing 23-year-old Johanne when she fought with him inside a temple as he tried to snatch her cash and camera. He is locked up awaiting his fate.

Backpackers across the region are boycotting Thailand after the grim details of Johanne's death emerged and travellers who previously visited the area where the body was found were shocked by the news.

Business studies graduate Karen Cygler, who visited the same area as Johanne, recalled the strange aura which surrounded the monks there. "They were a bit eerie. A bit weird, really. They were eyed as religious freaks, totally devoting their lives to religion.

"They all looked exactly the same as the man caught for the murder. There was an awful lot of them about. They never spoke," said backpacker Karen, 26, an employee at Graham and Brown in Blackburn.

"Everyone assumed because they were priests they were fairly good people and you would be safe with them.

"It was a shock when I heard news of the killing and shuddered when I saw on TV the places I had visited.

"I felt safe 99 per cent of the time in Thailand but I would not have gone alone. I cannot imagine why Johanne took the risk of being on her own in a temple with another man without thinking about the dangers.

"The trouble is that the longer you travel with nothing happening to you, the more complacent you get. Probably Johanne had dropped her guard when she was attacked," added Karen, who lives in Bury.

Thailand was once considered one of the safest destinations for the independent traveller. Equally Spain seems a relatively 'safe spot' with thousands of young, single women flying to its shores every year. But, in fact, Spain is among the most dangerous destinations ranking at the top with America and South Africa. Marcus Atkins, general manager of Manchester's Trailfinders, which specialises in worldwide independent travel, said: "In our experience the majority of people will go where they want to go but travellers are taking more precautions now, which is something positive out of Johanne's death. Some are changing their plans to avoid Thailand.

"There are 45,000 visitors a year to Thailand and Johanne's death is the only one I've heard of.

"We hear of killings all the time in America but many would still walk in Miami late at night.

"Statistically Thailand is an extremely safe place to go. Provided people take precautions there is little risk.

But Eve Haffenden, a prospective backpacker and journalism degree student, does not agree.

"Since this murder I am quite happy to boycott the Far East. I wouldn't feel safe there - even with my companion, who is an experienced traveller.

"I understand the area wasn't a danger spot before Johanne was killed but things have change," said Eve, 26, a student at the University of Central Lancashire.

"I'm aware that the Government issues a list of safe spots over the world but I do not want to be tied to phone lines to find out if the place I want to visit is safe. Johanne's death has not put me off the whole trip, though.

"I am visiting well trodden paths all over the world and want to sightsee and lie on a few wonderful beaches. I know I can't go off on my own. We will be taking precautions and I think we can look after ourselves."

Another 26-year-old from Blackburn, who went on a month-long trip exploring the Continent by train, got into a potentially life-threatening situation. She said: "A friend and I were waiting for a train at Rome station when a Juventus fan shouted that his relatives were killed in the Heysel Stadium disaster and he wanted his revenge. He said he hated the English and told us he would get a friend and return to kill us."

She added: "He looked very unstable and we were really frightened. "He did return, but on his own. We teamed up with some lads from England who got rid of him."

Marcus from Trailfinders added: "Dangerous situations do emerged but a lot of danger can be avoided by not going off alone where possible.

"Tell people where you are going and when you will be back. Research the areas you will be visiting and keep in touch with the foreign office for daily updated advice."

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