Search for body of murdered yachtsman goes on

The search for the body of a British yachtsman murdered by pirates is continuing off Thailand, the British Foreign Office said today, discounting earlier reports that a body had been found.

Thai police have arrested three migrant workers in connection with the murder of Malcolm Robertson, 64, and an attack on his wife, Linda, earlier this week.

"We had reports that a body had been found, but it's turned out to be a log," said a Foreign Office spokesman.

According to Thai law, suspects cannot face a murder trial without the discovery of a body.

The couple were attacked on their yacht anchored off the coast of Satun, a southern province bordering Malaysia, on Monday.

Robertson was beaten by his assailants with their fists and hammers and his throat slit before being dumped overboard, Thai police say.

Linda Robertson, 57, was stripped naked and tied up for hours below deck before she managed to escape.