23-Year-Old Briton Shot Dead At Countdown Party On Haad Rin Beach: Koh Phangan

[webfact]

23-year-old Briton shot dead at Countdown party on Haad Rin Beach

Stephen David Ashton, a British tourist, was shot to death on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani after a quarrel with Thai youngsters, police said. /RT @BPbreakingnews

A British tourist was shot dead on the holiday island Koh Phangan after a quarrel with Thai youngsters (Bangkok Post) /RT @RichardBarrow

A 23 year old British man was shot dead at a Countdown party on Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan Island. He has been named by police #Thailand /RT @RichardBarrow

Shooting took place at Zoom Bar on Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan. The British tourist was staying at Pink Bungalow. Police hunting the shooter /RT @RichardBarrow

Details not known yet. Would seem a series of shots were fired by a drunk Thai youth. One hit the British tourist in his chest, killing him. /RT @RichardBarrow:

[angsta]

As awful as this news is it comes as no surprise. Haad Rin is a very dangerous place and the numerous crimes go on there are generally unreported by the media as not to stop the tourist baht. I'm actually surprised that this hasn't happened before. Drunk Thai youth cracking onto someones girlfriend no doubt and not being able to take the rejection. That place is a complete dump and all the police care about is framing tourists with drugs. Amazing Thailand indeed.

[Tropicalevo]

RIP young man.

[george]

The incident happened at about 4am. As it is a holiday, not sure if the police informed the embassy yet. Thai media printed name at 1:30pm /@RichardBarrow

[Kananga]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

[samuibeachcomber]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

is this true? i guess you're saying per head of population?just interested,have you got figures and source?

[RogueLeader]

I think it's time these incidents were more widely published. Thailand is a major tourist destination and almost no-one knows how dangerous it is. Perhaps if evidence was discovered that points to a cover-up by Thai authorities, the resultant lawsuits against foreign representatives of Thai tourism companies would change their minds.

[redcardave]

RIP.

[gl555]

When you're in someone else's country, it's best to keep a low profile and not argue with the locals. It's their country and as this incident shows, you really don't know who you're <deleted> with,

[asdecas]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

I too would be interested to see the figures you cite and their provenance. There's no doubt that reportage of crime against foreigners has always and continues to be suppressed, not only for the obvious reason to protect the tourist industry, but also for deeper, cultural reasons.

[johnlandy]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

is this true? i guess you're saying per head of population?just interested,have you got figures and source?

I think his facts are all up the <deleted>, but then who worries about accuracy anyway.....

[lubbkis]

Well, I hope this gets well publicised in the UK. I think Thailand as a tourism destination needs some serious re-evaluation.

[Para]

When you're in someone else's country, it's best to keep a low profile and not argue with the locals. It's their country and as this incident shows, you really don't know who you're <deleted> with,

Sound logical advice when dealing with people that are able to process basic logic. I know its an assumption but 'Thai Face' and too much drink seem to be the ruin of this country. I am sure the truth will come out in the police investigation that will follow. Oops my bad for expecting logic again.......

R.I.P. and my condolences to the family.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

is this true? i guess you're saying per head of population?just interested,have you got figures and source?

according to this tally its twice the amount of deaths so considering Thailand has 1/6th the population then its what 12 times higher rate of gun homicide.

Seems quite high but maybe thats what he was referencing.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms

[12DrinkMore]

Some 10,000 tourists visit that beach during the moon parties, (used to be full moon, but then it was black moon and maybe now the moon is no longer important). There will always be the odd incident when that many essentially drunken party goers get together. It is surprising amazing that not more incidents occur.

The parties bring several million dollars onto the island every month.

This income stream will never be stopped.

[robertthebruce]

So So sad.

whatever the Scenario was, ''Shooting'' someone is well out of order..

R.I.P. fellow Brit..

A Paradise turned into someones Nightmare...

[sirchai]

Rest in peace young man. Should be a warning for others not to have an argument with locals, as they never fight alone and they loose face.

Even if somebody would beat the shit out of three guys, it wouldn't be over for them. They'll be back.

Another sad fact about this island is that so many foreigners die overdosed on drugs, but Thai authorities don't want to let us know the truth about their incapable system.

Thais fool foreigners, by telling them they'd be cops and some grass could finish their holiday immediately by paying all they've got to guys who're just acting like they were cops. And the real cops know that, get their part of it as well.

It's not the Land of Smiles and never was

. I hope that somebody knew him to inform the authorities. Can't be a good start of a new year for his relatives and friends. I'm sure that Thai media won't report much about it. --

Edited January 1, 2013 by sirchai

[sfi145]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

I too would be interested to see the figures you cite and their provenance. There's no doubt that reportage of crime against foreigners has always and continues to be suppressed, not only for the obvious reason to protect the tourist industry, but also for deeper, cultural reasons.

Good gun death figures on this site. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms

[Card]

Here are the stats some of you need to see: Indeed, if correct, then Thailand does have double the annual murder rate with firearms PER COUNTRY than the USA:

http://www.nationmas...-with-firearms.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Card

[PoorSucker]

according to this tally its twice the amount of deaths so considering Thailand has 1/6th the population then its what 12 times higher rate of gun homicide.

Seems quite high but maybe thats what he was referencing.

http://www.nationmas...s-with-firearms

This one shows deaths per 100.000 people

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_hom_fir_hom_rat_per_100_pop-rate-per-100-000-pop

[silent]

The year of Miracle Thailand.

Twice as many gun murders per year than the US and a population a quarter of the size.

is this true? i guess you're saying per head of population?just interested,have you got figures and source?

according to this tally its twice the amount of deaths so considering Thailand has 1/6th the population then its what 12 times higher rate of gun homicide.

Seems quite high but maybe thats what he was referencing.

http://www.nationmas...s-with-firearms

Is good to see a little bit of fact instead of _______

[Beetlejuice]

I think it`s the same everywhere, not only in Thailand.

The world has become a dangerous place, many screwballs out there.

Best to keep the head down and avoid disputes if possible. Read the situation and weight up the odds before jumping in.

Sometimes it takes more guts to walk away from an argument, rather than facing the situation head on.

[vijer]

Seriously? I've been coming to Thaland for 28 years and I did plenty of drinking during that time, never had an altercation with anyone. There have been a few Thai's I wanted to punch, but as another poster pointed out, I am not in my own country so why bring that hassle on myself.

[LaoPo]

Drunk Thai youth cracking onto someones girlfriend no doubt and not being able to take the rejection.

You were there I assume when you write things like this?

[anon467367354]

this may be the reference RIP. best to know the laws of the land

Showing latest available data. Rank Countries Amount # 1 South Africa: 31,918

# 2 Colombia: 21,898

# 3 Thailand: 20,032

# 4 United States: 9,369

# 5 Philippines: 7,708

# 6 Mexico: 2,606

# 7 Slovakia: 2,356

# 8 El Salvador: 1,441

# 9 Zimbabwe: 598

# 10 Peru: 442

[ricklev]

When you're in someone else's country, it's best to keep a low profile and not argue with the locals. It's their country and as this incident shows, you really don't know who you're <deleted> with,

You have absolutely no idea of how or why he was shot!

[Stocky]

Those gun death figures include the war that's going on down South that no one bothers reporting either.

[sirchai]

Some 10,000 tourists visit that beach during the moon parties, (used to be full moon, but then it was black moon and maybe now the moon is no longer important). There will always be the odd incident when that many essentially drunken party goers get together. It is surprising amazing that not more incidents occur.

The parties bring several million dollars onto the island every month.

This income stream will never be stopped.

But only because of the legality of drugs.

[bri1guy]

Ive been to Haad Rin several times & never felt it was dangerous, but i never let myself get into any bad positions. I stay away from any sign of drugs & am not out at 4am , its a party paradise , no worries.

my condolences to his friends & family especially during the holiday season.

As awful as this news is it comes as no surprise. Haad Rin is a very dangerous place and the numerous crimes go on there are generally unreported by the media as not to stop the tourist baht. I'm actually surprised that this hasn't happened before. Drunk Thai youth cracking onto someones girlfriend no doubt and not being able to take the rejection. That place is a complete dump and all the police care about is framing tourists with drugs. Amazing Thailand indeed.

[pete66]

this may be the reference RIP. best to know the laws of the land

Showing latest available data. Rank Countries Amount # 1 South Africa: 31,918

# 2 Colombia: 21,898

# 3 Thailand: 20,032

# 4 United States: 9,369

# 5 Philippines: 7,708

# 6 Mexico: 2,606

# 7 Slovakia: 2,356

# 8 El Salvador: 1,441

# 9 Zimbabwe: 598

# 10 Peru: 442

from 2002 I believe .........

according to gunpolicy.org, there were just 3,654 total homicides (gun + other) in Thailand in 2010:

2010: 3,654⁶

No idea which stats are right / wrong mind .............

Edited January 1, 2013 by pete66