Court for alleged killer of Kiwi in Thailand

Westport man Charles Jones was found dead in his hotel apartment at Thai beach resort, Pattaya. Photo / APN

The alleged killer of Westport man Charles Jones was due to reappear in court in Thailand today.

Mr Jones, 56, was stabbed to death in his hotel room at the Thai beach resort of Pattaya while on holiday in August 2011.

Former Syrian army commando and United Nations-registered refugee Mohamad Shanar Ryad was charged with his murder.

Mr Jones' sister Alison McMillan said she hadn't yet heard anything about today's trial but confirmed today was the date Ryad was due to reappear.

She thought the police would be giving evidence today but said it was hard to know anything without being in court - "you've just got to be patient".

She went to Thailand in November last year with Mr Jones' friend Stuart Yeatman to attend Ryad's trial, which had been postponed several times. She was glad she'd made the trip as it provided some closure.

She said she would be talking to Mr Yeatman later today to find out if he'd heard anything about today's trial or when a verdict might be announced.

Mr Jones, who was the New Zealand president of the World Croquet Federation, was on his way home from a world croquet tournament in London when he was killed.

Ryad admitted killing the New Zealander, but said Mr Jones had tried to rape him at knifepoint so he stabbed him to death.

It's understood Ryad planned to admit it was a botched robbery and drop his allegations against Mr Jones.

- Westport News