UK diver’s death on Ko Tao resurrects myth which is harmful to efforts to promote Thailand abroad

[webfact]

48-year-old Neil Giblin was a popular, respected and well-liked diving instructor on the once-in-vogue tourist island of Ko Tao. His sudden death, last Wednesday, has again sparked speculation about the island linked forever with the horrific murder of young UK tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller there in September 2014 (inset left) and a long list of sudden deaths and suicides questioned by the families of those involved living outside Thailand. This has led to a sinister myth and reputation developing concerning Ko Tao, inspiring online websites and best-selling books which is damaging Thailand’s efforts to promote its tourism brand abroad.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

A long history of unfortunate deaths on a small island with a tightly knit community and a comparatively huge number of annual visitors may not be as sinister as it sounds but the 2014 murder of two British tourists Hannah Witheridge and her compatriot David Miller continues to haunt Ko Tao. It certainly requires more sensitivity from authorities to protect Thailand’s tourism reputation which is suffering.

 

International media reports in the last 48 hours circulating about the sudden death of a UK diving instructor on Ko Tao are giving rise to speculation regarding the southern island’s sinister reputation in part created by the 2014 horrific murders of UK tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller but also related to an unfortunate string of suicides and deaths of foreigners linked with misadventure on the paradise island. On Tuesday, the Thai government earmarked nearly ฿4 billion to promote Thailand as a top-class tourist destination and brand it positively to potential international travellers abroad while international news outlets, at the same time, painted a negative portrait in respect of Ko Tao. Whether it be simply an unfortunate coincidence or an island myth, the ongoing unease about the tourist hotspot is a somewhat disturbing one.

 

The death of a UK diving instructor on the idyllic island of Ko Tao has resurrected the island’s sinister reputation outside of Thailand despite the efforts of police and officials in recent years to robustly assure the public that the island, which remains a popular destination for foreign tourists with tourism at the heart of its economy, is safe for visitors.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/01/24/death-of-uk-diver-on-ko-tao-neil-giblin-resurrects-myth/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-01-25

 

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[Tarteso]

This is not a Mith..

Ko Tao island is the Isle of the Dead.

[spidermike007]

Let us hope this is not becoming more commonplace. One of the things that attracts alot of us is the relatively low crime rate, committed against foreigners. Prayuth has failed the people so miserably, that there is alot more poverty, homelessness, unemployment, suicide, and desperation happening right now. More than ever before.

 

Let us hope this kind of thing does not escalate, as we continue to endure the "Prayuth precipice".

 

Thailand is still a very safe place for most of us. Not Dark Tao. That is a very dangerous island. At least it used to be. A poster on here commented on another related thread, that they finally got rid of the serial killing son of the headman of Sairee Beach. Somehow. That likely makes the island safer. 

 

[hotchilli]

I'm sure the investigation will be thorough and the cause of death will be found via an autopsy which will be conducted in a very professional manner. 

[Superlight]

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let us hope this is not becoming more commonplace. One of the things that attracts alot of us is the relatively low crime rate, committed against foreigners. Prayuth has failed the people so miserably, that there is alot more poverty, homelessness, unemployment, suicide, and desperation happening right now. More than ever before.

 

Let us hope this kind of thing does not escalate, as we continue to endure the "Prayuth precipice".

 

Thailand is still a very safe place for most of us. Not Dark Tao. That is a very dangerous island. At least it used to be. A poster on here commented on another related thread, that they finally got rid of the serial killing son of the headman of Sairee Beach. Somehow. That likely makes the island safer. 

 

Death Island, if the Thai police had done their job properly the boy and his uncle would have been caught, but no. Thais can do no wrong, so two burmeese boys get arrested. All of Samui knows what happened, and the nest was run from Chumpon.

[Martyjustice]

The truth hurts. 

[Mickboy]

Death island lives up to its label quite well sadly.

[ThaiFelix]

The myth that is harmful to Thailand is the way the cases were handled.

[scubascuba3]

Two people i knew there died, one definitely in suspicious circumstances, 2nd one motorbike accident, without background info around the time of accident it's just another accident

[Flemo]

I wonder how they will blame the burnese for this one ??

[Edwin Cameron]

When I was there 12 years ago I became friendly with a local who was a fringe worker on the island, he told me very matter of factly that the island was controlled by it's own Mafia,with the empathise on 'Controlled'. you have to take into consideration that most police are corrupt sorry to say and i have been coming to Thailand for over 50 years and that doesn't change  

[roo860]

Just now, Edwin Cameron said:

When I was there 12 years ago I became friendly with a local who was a fringe worker on the island, he told me very matter of factly that the island was controlled by it's own Mafia,with the empathise on 'Controlled'. you have to take into consideration that most police are corrupt sorry to say and i have been coming to Thailand for over 50 years and that doesn't change  

I'd never believe what a hairdresser told me, they're always talking behind your back.

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A long history of unfortunate deaths on a small island with a tightly knit community and a comparatively huge number of annual visitors

People don't care. If some are scared off there's always another boatload coming. Everyone on the island knows that, so they can do whatever they want.

[steven100]

This is no Myth ......  the heading is wrong.

[Aussieroaming]

Thailand concerned more about its reputation than the actual death of foreigners on the island, zero compassion. His death may well be natural causes but the police assuring everyone that nothing nefarious has occurred without any forensic investigation or autopsy results to back up that claim is what causes the real speculation and damage.

[stoner]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

is safe for visitors

clearly.

[Dcheech]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

has resurrected the island’s sinister reputation outside of Thailand

The Thai Examiner fights the good fight, going to bat for 'isla de la muerte' and its sinister, but totally undeserved reputation. This could damage Thailand’s reputation as a vacation paradise; Shock, Gasp, Horror!  On the bright side, good chance the Chinese do not know about it, so no worries. Of course they do know about boat trips & boat sinkings in the islands. Good luck explaining that 'myth' away. 

[cheapcanuck]

I'll never set foot on Death Island. Thailand had the opportunity to do the right thing many years ago when Hannah and David were murdered. Thailand thought they could pull the wool over the worlds eyes by framing the two innocent young Burmese men and letting the real Thai killers walk free. It is because of this that I will warn anyone thinking of visiting death island to make plans else where.

[kcpattaya]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

I'm sure the investigation will be thorough and the cause of death will be found via an autopsy which will be conducted in a very professional manner. 

We all know the outcome of this very professional autopsy...

[dallen52]

Koh Tao.

Wake up dead there..

 

I will give it a miss.

[jacko45k]

Lies lies and murder, and likely innocent Burmese in Jail..... 

[hellohello123]

Thailand and its people consistently and persistently do things that give tourism a bad name, 

Either they don't care or are too stupid

 

Why care now

[Robbkk]

46 minutes ago, morrobay said:

And this is the fifth foreign dive instructor @BE88

In over 20 years lol. Very low mortality rate actually. 

 

There seems to be an organized campaign to discredit Koh Tao. Man dies in his sleep and news outlets start spinning off conspiracy theories. When somebody is murdered there are obvious signs such as bullet holes or bruises. It's not something that can be hidden from the man's family or whoever claims the body.

 

 

 

[Speedhump]

You report this 'sudden death', then mention:  "the horrific murder of young UK tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller there in September 2014 (inset left) and a long list of sudden deaths and suicides questioned by the families of those involved".

And then you call it all a myth....

 ????

[Mad mick]

No myth ! Kho Tao Death island ???????? send big Joke there ! Even if  Thai police did MIA

[BarraMarra]

1 hour ago, BE88 said:

Why should the death of a diving instructor suggest that Ko Tao island is a deadly island, haven't many sports athletes died, even at a very young age from a heart attack in this last period?

So first we investigate the cause of his death and then we can draw conclusions.

Thailand is boosting its tourism and this is a very annoying country where its tourism is visibly declining after mass massacres in the western world.

Google how many Unexplained deaths have occurred on Death Island in the last 15 years for a small Island most are Tourists or back packers BE88 coincidence ?? 0ver 20. A reputation is gained the same as Phuket for ripping off tourists. Koh Tao has a reputation for the Death of foreigners. That's why its known as death island.

[expatocean]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Let us hope this is not becoming more commonplace. One of the things that attracts alot of us is the relatively low crime rate, committed against foreigners. Prayuth has failed the people so miserably, that there is alot more poverty, homelessness, unemployment, suicide, and desperation happening right now. More than ever before.

 

Let us hope this kind of thing does not escalate, as we continue to endure the "Prayuth precipice".

 

Thailand is still a very safe place for most of us. Not Dark Tao. That is a very dangerous island. At least it used to be. A poster on here commented on another related thread, that they finally got rid of the serial killing son of the headman of Sairee Beach. Somehow. That likely makes the island safer. 

 

Nomsod how did they get rid of him???

 

[drgoon]

Carbon monoxide in his tank??

[morrobay]

1 hour ago, Robbkk said:

In over 20 years lol. Very low mortality rate actually. 

 

There seems to be an organized campaign to discredit Koh Tao. Man dies in his sleep and news outlets start spinning off conspiracy theories. When somebody is murdered there are obvious signs such as bullet holes or bruises. It's not something that can be hidden from the man's family or whoever claims the body.

 

 

 

Da Nile river is overflowing today 

[ignore it]

If you google "Death Island" the first 16 hits refer to Ko Tau.
Nothing can be done to protect Thailand's tourism reputation in this regard. (Or any regard for that fact.)

Ok so it's a "myth" that it's a dangerous island controlled by resident mafia types, but the reputation itself is no myth. It's a fact!

After unsuccessfully gooling to find a humorous meme to post, I find that there are heaps of places that are dark tourist destinations and morbid tourist attractions.

I'm not advocating TAT should come out with a "Ko Tau, Hub of Mysterious Deaths" promo campaign. It seems like every knows already.
And there seems to be enough stupid <deleted> who want to go diving, boozing and 420ing in an edgy location.
So maybe it's time to take the traditional Thai approach and do nothing