whitfield

Just come in from sailing my Laser off Cha Am. Fantastic constant wind about 25 knots and big waves. Magic. But I think some of the Samui rain is coming close now.

The idea that two little Burmese guys could subdue, and then drag David Miller into the sea and drown him while Hannah sat on the beach and waited to be raped and murdered stretches my imagination to breaking point.

"Thai officials started out, at the earlier stages of the investigation, saying that Thailand didn't have the facilities to type DNA. That apparently changed. Everyone, except those who are shielding the headman's people from justice, want the DNA trail to be verified by outsiders - all the way from the specimens taken from the female victim."

I believe the DNA of the suspects was tested in Singapore, not Thailand (and the Singapore lab concluded the DNA was of Asian origin).

no DNA was ever sent to Singapore

they said first, to the FBI, then they said no, to Singapore,

then they said no, Chaing Mai

no reason to believe them about anything related to the DNA now

In late 2009 I had to have my son's DNA tested in a paternity/custody suit. It was categorically affirmed that Thailand didn't have the facilities to match a father and son and I had to send samples to the UK. Of course things may have changed in the intervening period.

JTJ is the kind of guy who would have said at Nuremberg: But I voz only following orders.

To JD in Asia and JTJ.

Mr Nomsod has said that he was in Bangkok and you clearly believe him. Millions don't. Let him prove it by obtaining his phone records. If he was in BKK it will show. If he was in KT it will show. Important of course to get the right phone, at least the right SIM.

Millions don't? Hyperbole.

2 weeks ago the call was for DNA.

We don't know if the police have gotten a warrant for phone records. If they have, the records would never be released to the public.

DNA can be falsified. If the phone record shows Nomsod was in KT then everything else is false. He's lied and gone to a lot of trouble covering that lie. Perhaps the police would like to inform us if they have checked Nomsod's phone record.

To JD in Asia and JTJ.

Mr Nomsod has said that he was in Bangkok and you clearly believe him. Millions don't. Let him prove it by obtaining his phone records. If he was in BKK it will show. If he was in KT it will show. Important of course to get the right phone, at least the right SIM.

I believe that DNA should be "taken" not "presented". If he would be so kind as to present all the CCTV tapes in their entirety at the same time we would be most obliged. Perhaps he could also ask the CID to test his DNA rather than the RTP.

Are Bangkok Airways going to release the passanger manifest of the early morning flight from Koh Samui on the morning after the murders?

Are the same Bangkok Airways who I believe are the owner/operators of Koh Samui airport going to release CCTV footage inside the terminal of that morning?

I believe 3 members of the British Police force will be knocking at your door at any moment.

Are you going to refuse to give the information?....was the passenger manifest altered? was a passenger knowingly flying under a false name?

If you are withholding information, not only will this have serious consequences from the police investigation but also from the International Airline community.

Let's not forget the 7.30am Nok Air flight from Chumphon. Gets into DM at 08.45. No bags and met by a motorbike and he can be anywhere he wants by 09.30.

Moreover, the Thai police are no longer involved in the investigation anymore because they have already finished the case file and sent it to the public prosecutor, Pol.Lt. Prawut said.

So the police consider this case closed?

There is "0" chance of additional suspects?

These two Burmese kids did the hole thing by themselves?

I would never consider bringing my family to that island, most likely there are still murderers/rapists on that island.

I will be going to every single travel website I can comment on and warn people of the danger they are in if they go to KT, as well as KP and Samui just for the fact they are in close proximity. I would encourage everybody to do the same.

As soon as you place anything detrimental on Trip adviser ...they remove them Defeats the object really.

Not true. Take a look at In Touch and AC Bar on Koh Tao in Tripadvisor. It's worth a giggle.

3 Points

Five years ago I tried unsuccessfully to have my son DNA tested. I was told Thailand didn't have the facility and that I must use a foreign agency. They've obviously come on a bit since then.

If we're checking airport CCTV then don't forget the Nok Air 07.35 flight from Chumphon getting to DM at 08.45. No bags and a motorbike and he could be anywhere in BKK by 09.45.

UK Police may not be able to pin our friend in BKK, especially if he can't be forced to give a DNA sample, but they sure as hell can clear the Burmese boys.

Good news, everyone should have legal counsel when jailed guilty or not. However, this will not help those who cannot accept the overwhelming evidence against these two or those who want to believe it was the rich Thai kid (for no other reason than he is rich and Thai) that did it who was taking an exam at school in Bangkok and appeared on security cameras that day in Bangkok.

No doubt the lawyers will be able to collect new DNA samples from their clients and have it compared against the DNA results from the semen taken from the scene originally and sent to both Thai and Singapore labs. But again, doubt this will convince some of admitting their original suspicions were wrong.

While police may have done things wrong, there is no plausible way they could fake the DNA and expect to get away with it unless these two accused disappear from the planet and nobody can ever check their or their family's DNA ever again.

That is all we're asking for. Nobody is accusing the Police of fitting up the Burmese but their ineptitude thus far and their past record makes many people uneasy. An independent DNA test will reassure us that's all.

A complete charade from beginning to end. I find it hardly credible that those two little chaps could have taken on David without a scratch. Let's hope the families demand an independent DNA test to be done back in UK. The families need complete assurance that the real perps have been apprehended and the RTP needs complete exoneration from any sniff of a fit up. If the DNA doesn't match the Burmese then let DI Plod of the Yard start following the money. If an independent test does match then we can all breathe a sigh of relief, especially the RTP.

Great comments guys!

Where was Walter White when you need him?

The Bank of Thailand has more than one weapon to combat the strength of the baht which must have them worried with all the rice bought at intervention prices being stored because it is impossible to sell abroad.

An interest rate cut would help but they can also use the baht strength to increase their foreign reserves - either T Bills, Gold, Euros or whatever. A strong signal from the BoT that they are going to take decisive action would have all those speculators running for the hills. But in the end the reason the THB is rising is because they have a strong economy and Yingluck is proving to be a steady hand on the tiller. Steady as she goes. Choc dee Khon Thai.

April Fool!!

I have every confidence in the Thai Family Courts. For those who doubt that Oswald's son could go to SA or Oz please remember Toby Charnaud, who was murdered in very similar circumstances back in 2006. His son is now being brought up in UK by Toby's sister if I recall correctly.

The Thai Family courts are very fair and I have personal experience. The child's interests are always paramount regardless of nationality.

I just hope they find him soon.

As far as I am aware Oswald's brother has lodged an application to adopt the child.

I experienced a very similar experience as Oswald. The poison would have killed me but for the fast reaction of the neighbours.

Like Oswald I just won a custody case. It seems that causes too much loss of face. Whilst I have every faith in the Thai family courts to do the right thing regarding his son I wouldn't hope for too much from the criminal courts.

At least in this case there is a confession. Let's hope that it ends well. I would advise as many oh his friends to attend the hearings. Judges don't like to know that the world is watching them.

I have just heard that his ex wife, mother of his son, and her army boyfriend have been arrested and confessed to the murder.

Thanks to the BIB for speedy work and let's hope that the somewhat erratic judges give them everything they deserve with no parole.

RIP Oswald and I hope the pitches up there aren't too green on top!

Try Somsak Chopaka at Siam Firm in Soi 47/1. He speaks excellent English and although not the cheapest is very reasonable.

George, just a quick note to thank you for an excellent party. Most impressed by the speed at which Shooters got the place ready in time. But a very special thanks as well to the lovely hostesses who ensured that the Chang flowed long enough to give me a superb headache this morning.

Thanks Richard

If you really haven't done anything wrong and you have all your papers in order just refuse to pay. Say that you dispute the charge and use your mobile phone to take a video and record the scene. Demand to see evidence of your offence etc. They will eventually let you go (or shoot you!).

I no longer pay the "Farang" charge. They know when they are having it on and an argumentative farang is just a nuisance.

Interestingly on our by pass they occasionally have a speed camera and about a kilo up, just after a major intersection they pull cars over. Everyone turns left or right and they never chase them.

I'll be there + 1. I hope they do some work on Shooters soon. It is still a shell!