Alwyn

He's not visiting Thailand to get the benefit of it's vast knowledge and being a hub of everything? Strange.

The International Air Transport Association need to be careful or the police might consider charges against them

Why do people have such a downer on hostels and/or backpackers? When kids take a gap year before Uni why should they not have a bit of an adventure and why would anybody begrudge them to choose a hostel over a 5 star hotel? Hostels are all over the World and work well. Kids meet like minded others who are on an adventure, the problem is when they meet idiots or choose places like Koh Tao and don't make it home alive. My daughter went to Cambodia on her gap year to work on a project for charity. They were building houses in some village for the super-poor farmers. After they did their 12 week stint her and her buddies went on a trip through Asia - probably traveling more than the judgemental fools here wll ever travel, had a great time, totally spent every penny of the £6,000 she'd saved and ramped up her credit card nicely too. Leah and her friends went on just about every kind of activity you can think of on their travels and if it was not for the hostel accommodations, she would never, ever had been able to make that trip. The following year she and her brother came to Brazil and stayed with me for a bit and then set off on travels around Brazil and Peru. Some hostels are great, others not, a bit like hotels. I've seen hotels in Patong that are nowhere near the quality of hostels I stayed in Israel in the 1970's!

A lot actually. Most backpackers are toilet trained and don't defecate in the streets, nor do the hawk big green grollies every few seconds. They tend to buy local products and do lots of tours and trips which they pay for in Thailand, not back in their home country. Generally, they know how to drive and ride and don't just stop in the middle of a busy junction for no apparent reason. They treat the Temples with respect and don't on the floor or wash their feet in the sinks. They integrate with other travelers, locals and expats alike and are generally more civilised and spend more than the Chinese. What else? Oh yes, they're not judgemental of people like you.

The gun has obviously made the guard intoxicated on power.

Probably due to the lack of any discernible penis

Hannah’s sister, Laura, has written a Facebook post describing the family’s grief and criticising Thai authorities’ handling of the case. She says her family were told: “Why are you so bothered? Just go home and make another one.”

Oh come on---no matter how down on Thailand you are...This is fantasy from the Sister who I don't think even came here...can anyone really imagine in the middle of a murder hunt that is being reported world wide The Thai authorities saying ..."don't worry--Go Make another Baby" ...... What Authorities When.........Where....

And as for the other comments she is coming out with---"A Thai (Buddhist said )..."Its OK she will be back in 30 days as someone else"

I don't think the murder trial was conducted that well........I have definite doubts about the convicted....but this has to be recognised for what it is......pure fantasy.

"but this has to be recognised for what it is......pure fantasy." Really? and you know this because?

The BIB putting on a brave face to cover the disappointment at only getting tea and tea money..

He'll fit in nicely in Merkels Germany.

What on earth do you mean by that? Kindly enlighten me

Are you serious? Enlighten yourself and read about the fun these Muslim animals had on New Years Eve in Cologne (and other major cities) in Merkel's Germany - all down to the fact that Merkel invited them in and explained it as "a great opportunity" for Germany.

Well these people are indeed animals and have really abused Germany's generosity. They will probably end up having to deport many of them. Merkel is changing the law to enable that right now.

I still don't understand how you think a psychopath would fit in nicely.

I can suggest many countries where that kind of behaviour would be accepted but not Germany

He will fit in nicely with all of his psycho mates that have already arrived. It will be a turn up for the books if Merkel can change the law to deport them, the UK couldn't. Germany may not want to accept this behaviour but their Chancellor does, she invited these savages to Europe and thinks it's "an opportunity". Nice. Well done Mrs Merkel, you've changed Europe forever.

He'll fit in nicely in Merkels Germany.

What on earth do you mean by that? Kindly enlighten me

Are you serious? Enlighten yourself and read about the fun these Muslim animals had on New Years Eve in Cologne (and other major cities) in Merkel's Germany - all down to the fact that Merkel invited them in and explained it as "a great opportunity" for Germany.

If I was a Burmese migrant worker on Koh Tao, I'd be heading for the hills right now. RIP young fella

The poor girl, I can't even imagine her turmoil. RIP

Fleeing the scene, particularly in a maritime situation should be a heavy mandatory jail term.

As should murder...

Sorry but having traces of drugs in the blood doesn't equate to them being high on drugs, or even impaired by them. I mean somebody can very easily spike somebody's drink with a drug, and they'd feel fine a couple of days later but still fail the test.

Admittedly it doesn't inspire confidence that they're testing positive for illegal drugs, but I think the more pressing issue is addressing their driving skills and attitudes. Those who drive bigger vehicles here seem to see that as carte blanche to bully smaller vehicles out of their as and when is convenient for them to do so.

But if anything this story is a positive as those drivers will likely have something to think about now & the passengers will be (i'd hope) driven by potentially a more sensible driver for the remainder of the journey

Are you insane? These mongrels are driving hire and reward vehicles. They are driving paying public. They should not have any 'traces' of drugs or alcohol in their blood. We read on a daily basis about these min-van drivers rolling or crashing their vans and you jump to their defence.

Of course their driving skills need to be addressed but being drug free would be a great starting point

Of course drivers of larger vehicles who think 'might is right' need to be taken to task - drug testing would be a great starting place for that too - but because they need assesment does not make it any more appropriate for van drivers to use drugs.

I wonder what excuse you will come up with when you're pulled and have drug traces in your body because if you're supporting these idiots, it's an easy assumption to make that you drive among them in the same state.

Just the one? I'm amazeddotcom! I hope this is a trend that lasts and not just while the police are advertising road blocks during the festive period.

Was talking to a friend the other day and he mentioned that all the unwanted attention she gets must be a drag. If it ever gets too annoying for her, she could always bust out a burka.

BAZINGA!!! "Bust out a burka" If that was a deliberate pun (as she doesn't have a bust anymore) it was brilliant. If it wasn't a deliberate pun, it still makes me chuckle!!

Easy solution, next time if you are going to drive don't drink anything, then you are sure that you will pass their test when you get stopped.

He hadn't drank and had passed the test. He was complaining because he was being repeatedly tested even though he'd passed the test and all the while, Thais were riding past with no helmets and not getting stopped. So just to recap, he hadn't drank, had passed the test but was getting repeatedly tested. I hope that clears it up for you

"there was no evidence showing that Somchai had been dead or seriously injured." Am I missing something here? To be convicted of robbery and abduction, the Thai legal system requires a dead body?

They're quite correct, DNA doesn't lie, just their reporting of the DNA results, which is why the DNA suddenly was all used up so no independent testing could be carried out

The concept of the DNA sample 'being used up' does not really make sense to me.

A DNA sample can be obtained from a cigarette butt or a tiny drop of blood ( red blood cells do not contain DNA ) there may be a very few white blood cells which do have a nucleus.

The minute quantity of DNA is then amplified through a process called the polymerase chain reaction - a PCR machine is pretty standard equipment .

This gives sufficient DNA for the fingerprinting process - which actually looks at the difference in the molecule in gaps between genes- so called Jefferey's sequences .

A decent forensics lab should have taken time to ensure there was always a sample found at the crime scene left and kept for further analysis if required.

It all seems a bit convenient?

Exactly! It's all b*llox

Second comment; "Seat belts"? What is wrong with people?

They're quite correct, DNA doesn't lie, just their reporting of the DNA results, which is why the DNA suddenly was all used up so no independent testing could be carried out

Oh dear! If Burma invades, Thailand is going to get stuffed.

Burma should "unvade". recall ALL of it's citizens working in Thailand and also cut off gas supplies. That would make a statement!

"seen as supporting dissent"??? Who decides if it's dissent? Is speaking out against anything the fearless leader says "dissent"? Having a different opinion "dissent"? The same as "cheering a murderer"? Those animals in Afghanistan feel it's their duty to murder and cheer on when murdering a young woman by stoning for no real reason, so yeah, down with that sort of cheering but... really? Why don't they just ban facebook etc just like Korea and China...

After giving a cash reward to the police for "a perfect investigation" there could only be one verdict. I left Thailand after 15 years and after the coup as it was obvious to me that this coup was different and the General was never going to be going anywhere. I'm so glad I did leave. I have to go back one more time to sort some stuff out but that's me finished with this beautiful yet corrupt country. Thankfully I am in a position where I can choose somewhere else. Back to Pipa, Brazil, for me!

They had to be found guilty. If not it would be a massive loss of face for the PM who congratulated the police.

100%

After giving a cash reward to the police for "a perfect investigation" there could only be one verdict. I left Thailand after 15 years and after the coup as it was obvious to me that this coup was different and the General was never going to be going anywhere. I'm so glad I did leave. I have to go back one more time to sort some stuff out but that's me finished with this beautiful yet corrupt country. Thankfully I am in a position where I can choose somewhere else. Back to Pipa, Brazil, for me!