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

[BarraMarra]

Robb why do you think it has a reputation and why ??

[fittobethaied]

4 hours 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. 

The news article says the police are confident there is nothing suspicious about the death, and an autopsy will NOT be performed. That in itself should be cause for alarm. 

[BE88]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

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.

A serious autopsy could well indicate the true cause of this latest death on the island of Ko Tao but here the police will do everything not to damage tourism as always. I don't think you can panic and call it the island of death for this series of deaths knowing that before the Covid, Ko Tao was visited annually by up to 3 million tourists. The island is also known as a dangerous island due to extreme sports and its natural configuration.

However, specified that this island is part of Chumphong which does not even have a good reputation from its inhabitants against tourists, several have died simply walking in the city late at night, attacked to steal what they possessed.

It is evident in Thailand in general it is also dangerous to go to isolated places alone or in pairs, there are many cases of unsolved murders in isolated places and not only on Ko Tao.

That Thailand is dangerous for tourists is evident, both for the traffic and for believing that the Thai smile welcomes you and you are not in danger.

[jaywalker]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

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.

Never been to Ko Tao, only Phang An (near by). 2005. Just didn't get the chance.

 

I was 37 and into FULL MOON parties NEVER appealed to me.

 

Anyhow, I had a cool bungalow up on a hillside and could see Samui quite clearly in the distance.

 

I also could see what looked like UFO's that defied all logic, screaming back and forth. They were boat, moving just slightly less than the speed of light.

 

There was a huge article pretty much everywhere (https://scandasia.com/1316-koh-samui-drowning-accident/)

 

From what I gathered, the boat was rated for 2 engines, yet had 3 engines. The steering cable broke at speed.

 

The "S" in Thailand stands for safety.

 

The "M" is for  maintainence.

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, kcpattaya said:

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

Falang are normally sent to BKK police forensic dept. so in theory are professional.

[BarraMarra]

That can be said in most places but we are discussing Koh Tao which is very small compared to Phuket or Samui. The World knows who murdered the 2 brit backpackers and who protects the RTP on Koh Tao. That's why any major crime is immediately handed to the neighboring bigger island Police. When they eventually arrive the crime scene is covered and any evidence is removed in case any forensics are called. Simple conclusion accidental death nothing to see here.

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, drgoon said:

Carbon monoxide in his tank??

He had a tank next to him when he died? 

 

What do you think happens if you inhale carbon monoxide ? 

[BarraMarra]

Are you suggesting he died from Carbon Monoxide poisoning Humin?

[sambum]

3 hours 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.

"Why should the death of a diving instructor suggest that Ko Tao island is a deadly island,...."

Because it is not an isolated incident by far. Apparently he is one of FIVE (5) diving instructors that have met their end in very dubious circumstances on Koh Tao. And that is just diving instructors - never mind the tourists/ backpackers that have died in mysterious/unsolved circumstances.

 

"This is a very annoying island........"

I would suggest that is putting it mildly!!!

 

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

I don't believe there will be an "investigation/autopsy" if the following interview with one of his friends is anything to go by. It looks like "natural causes" has already been decided, which comes as no surprise if previous "mysterious deaths"  are anything to go by.

 

"The medical professionals who arrived said there was nothing suspicious. I was informed that the police declared there was nothing to investigate right away. It took place so quickly. I don’t even believe an autopsy was performed. In our conversation, I brought up a few of the local fatalities,..."

 

 As a previous poster has suggested, it would appear that the authorities are more concerned with trying to convince prospective tourists that Thailand is a safe place to travel to by sweeping these "mysterious deaths" under the carpet, rather than making any positive efforts to make it so!

[sambum]

26 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

That can be said in most places but we are discussing Koh Tao which is very small compared to Phuket or Samui. The World knows who murdered the 2 brit backpackers and who protects the RTP on Koh Tao. That's why any major crime is immediately handed to the neighboring bigger island Police. When they eventually arrive the crime scene is covered and any evidence is removed in case any forensics are called. Simple conclusion accidental death nothing to see here.

With reference to your penultimate sentence, I seem to recall that in the incident concerning David and Hannah, the main suspect was allowed to trample all over and around the crime scene as "the police were short staffed and they needed assistance"

[Purdey]

Quite honestly fit people do die suddenly. Jim Foxx, the originator of jogging, who died of a heart attack while jogging is the most famous example.

Personally, as i burn easily I shall not be visiting the island, but i will also inform friends who visit not to bother with it as there are other places without the death island reputation. The police have brought this negative feeling on themselves with their very lackadaisical attitude toward deaths. 

[mommysboy]

Unfortunately 'fit and healthy' is often an erroneously used phrase. Heart conditions for instance manifest unknown for years and decades until the fateful day arrives. Same for all of us, but hopefully we reach an old age.

[Rimmer]

some off topic and troll posts removed also replies

[Hanuman2547]

I've been to Koh Tao once more than 20 years ago.  I see no reason to go back.  

When the police state that a farang committed suicide, it just seems odd that he hung himself with his hands tied behind his back.  

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

Are you suggesting he died from Carbon Monoxide poisoning Humin?

See the post I replied to. Of course not, I know Carbon monoxide well enough to not suggest that.

[Shocked farang]

Koh Tao is somewhat part of my life as I did my Divemaster's course there back in 2002.

(After that I continued to become an istructor in the west)

I ended my stay by getting Dengue fever and had to go to a hospital in Koh Samui.

Back then the island was so relaxed, most of the people staying there were involved in the diving

industry, the dive sites were perfect for learners. I just feel sad that the reputation of this beatiful island is so demaged now.

[Robbkk]

3 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

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.

This is not much lol. Thousands visit Koh Tao every week.

 

In Pattaya, in one week alone, 3 foreigners have died falling from buildings: https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/third-foreigner-this-week-dies-from-building-fall-in-pattaya

 

But nobody refers to Pattaya as a deathtrap for foreigners. I wonder why.

 

 

[biggles45]

From a recent report 11 deaths since 2014 when the 2 Brits were murdered. 

[tjo o tjim]

14 minutes ago, biggles45 said:

From a recent report 11 deaths since 2014 when the 2 Brits were murdered. 

Presumably "suspicious/unexpected" deaths, right?  I'm sure there are at least 50 foreigner motorcycle deaths in that timeline, even if most don't die at the scene.  Likely at least 10 scuba fatalities too.  No guess on suicides, but there have been a fair number. 

 

...oh, and at least 100 dying because of a coral cut getting infected with their shower water.  Kidding on that one...

[racket]

Here is how to fix this problem. The international community sanctions Koh Tao island making it illegal for anyone to visit.
 

Thereby bankrupting the whole Island until Thai authorities looks into every death that has occurred there for clear review. Those who have a hidden agenda needs to be charged and put to prison for life. 

[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, Robbkk said:

When somebody is murdered there are obvious signs

Not always - poison??

[DJ54]

Everything is speculation at this point. Police are usually tight lipped about causes until it’s investigated and all the pieces put together. See what comes out in a week or two then speculate.

[pedro01]

I don't know if it's a myth or there really are killers there. 

 

But I'll hedge my bets and not pay the place a visit. There's plenty of other locations in Thailand, after all.

[Ginner]

9 hours ago, roo860 said:

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

I've been here 25 years and nothing has changed. Education system, traffic system, sex industry , police and immigration system and others. It's the same today as it was 25 years ago, No one cares. The only thing that has changes is the rich and powerful have got richer and more powerful, at the expense of the ordinary Thai.

[BritManToo]

6 hours ago, drgoon said:

Carbon monoxide in his tank??

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is very easy to spot.

Blue lips and fingernails.

[scubascuba3]

27 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is very easy to spot.

Blue lips and fingernails.

It's possible it's the Bends but he's been diving for a long time so unlikely, but colleagues and friends will know if there's suspicious circumstances 

[San Fran Dan]

I tell people to Constantly stay from that Hell Hole , but every Farang Business owner says <deleted> , the island is lovely No Crime at All , Well the Island should be Boycotted and let those Farang Starve , Have they No Respect for the 35 Murdered already <deleted> I’ve.been told it’s Creepy Island you are watched Everywhere… Wale Up People , I’ve had idiots bragging to me I bring the Whole Family , Well you should have your children removed for irresponsible parenting   

[kwilco]

"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."

 

It's actually comments like this unsupported by any concrete statistics that harm the island's reputation. Te problem is that it seems that it is the opposite of the truth and just an effort to make the problem go away.

 

 

[connda]

So, OK - how did he die? 

All I see is Thai nationalistic hand-wringing.  If he died of natural causes?  Then there is no problem.
If he was murdered?  Well, then there is. 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. 

[BigStar]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

So, OK - how did he die? 

All I see is Thai nationalistic hand-wringing.  If he died of natural causes?  Then there is no problem.
If he was murdered?  Well, then there is. 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. 

OK, figure it out. Which is it?