SURAT THANI

Thai man charged with murder of British holidaymaker

Photo : Ekkapun is escorted by police in Surat Thani Wednesday.//EPA

SURAT THANI: -- Police have arrested a 26-year-old Thai man for allegedly killing a British holidaymaker who was caught in the crossfire between two groups of Thai men on the first day of 2013 in Surat Thani's Koh Phangan district.

Police identified the suspect as Ekkapun Klaewkla. Police said he confessed to killing Stephen Ashton, 22, a city trader, during an exchange of fire with another group of men who allegedly fired at his group.

Police quoted Ekkapun as claiming that his group was outnumbered during a fight at about 5am on January 1, so he decided to use his homemade gun to protect himself. Ashton was hit accidentally.

Ashton was dancing on the sand when he was caught in the crossfire. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Ashton reportedly was on holiday with five friends, had travelled to one of the top locations on young Britons' gap year wish list - Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan island.

Ekkaphan is to be charged with murder and carrying a gun in public.

Police said the victims' parents would travel to Koh Phangan to pick up their son's body.

-- The Nation 2013-01-02

Police identified the suspect as Ekkapun Klaewkla. Police said he confessed to killing Stephen Ashton, 22, a city trader, during an exchange of fire with another group of men who allegedly fired at his group.

Police quoted Ekkapun as claiming that his group was outnumbered during a fight at about 5am on January 1, so he decided to use his homemade gun to protect himself. Ashton was hit accidentally.

Dry that one out you can fertilize the lawn. Bullshit. And he thought of this himself or with a little help from the BIB - disgusting.

Amazing Lieland.

This is a shocking event.

RIP Stephen Ashton.

As for the previous poster, I have no idea what he is on about.

There must have been plenty of witnesses so if the above isn't the truth, no doubt it will come out soon enough in the UK papers.

No remorse in this Jack-a_ss's face.

RIP-S.Ashton and condolence to the family.

Another thai man who was in dire need of a father when he was growing up.

RIP Stephen Ashton.

As for the previous poster, I have no idea what he is on about.

"I have no idea what he is on about."

No matter how sad, deplorable or unfortunate an event, there always seems to be some bitter, unhappy member of the ThaiVisa fraternity sitting at his computer ready to make it even more sordid with his pointless, groundless hate mongering.

Especially sad that the victim was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.

Yes , Thai people's digging theres own grave, when they do like this !!!

'Police said the victims' parents would travel to Koh Phangan to pick up their son's body.' there's something you never want to hear. very sad.

The boys at Zoom bar do have a bit of a reputation. Not the first time there has been violence at that place.

Dry that one out you can fertilize the lawn. Bullshit. And he thought of this himself or with a little help from the BIB - disgusting.

So your "all Thai's hate us" theory is derailed? Your sad delusion that this shooter deliberately targeted a young farang is disproved?

Just another cynical, hate-filled, ignorant and non-contributory post IMHO.

Firstly RIP Stephen Ashton, a tragic loss of life.

In time perhaps the full story will come out, call me pessimistic but I won't hold my breath on that.

For now, who knows what happened.. but there appears to be no suggestion that Stephen was targeted, it's entirely possible/likely that he really was the victim of a stray bullet. The chances of being hit by one in Thailand seem to be rare, but not unknown.

I have no idea what a "home made gun" looks like or how it works, assuming it shoots regular bullets Its seems highly unlikely that it's home made, perhaps home modified in the way that a sawn-off is home made.

I have no idea why a comment by rfukata says he (the killer) has no remorse in his face... I bet the guy is pretty scared and even if not remorseful he must by now appreciate the gravity of the situation. Perhaps he is genuinely only guilty of manslaughter in law (though in my opinion ANYONE who fires a gun should be guilty of murder if someone is killed), but given the international interest in this case, and the need for a public show of justice, he is sure to get a long sentence.

Well done to the Thai Police for catching him. Good Job!

Another thai man who was in dire need of a father when he was growing up.

Qualify that with a "good" father and you've got it right.

RIP Stephen Ashton.

As for the previous poster, I have no idea what he is on about.

"I have no idea what he is on about."

No matter how sad, deplorable or unfortunate an event, there always seems to be some bitter, unhappy member of the ThaiVisa fraternity sitting at his computer ready to make it even more sordid with his pointless, groundless hate mongering.

Especially sad that the victim was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.

Khun Suradit, I admit that sometimes the truth is difficult to digest. This comment was not so pointless, groundless and hate mongering as you may wish... it's a hard fact to acknowledge that a young innocent tourist died for no reason, due to the lawlessness of some groups of irresponsible Thai persons who reportedly started shooting at each other on new years day... Who in God's name is attending now a new years party with a gun in his pocket, and why?

Death Penalty direct , to be executed next month we want !!!!

RIP Stephen Ashton.

As for the previous poster, I have no idea what he is on about.

"I have no idea what he is on about."

No matter how sad, deplorable or unfortunate an event, there always seems to be some bitter, unhappy member of the ThaiVisa fraternity sitting at his computer ready to make it even more sordid with his pointless, groundless hate mongering.

Especially sad that the victim was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.

I also have no idea what the previous poster was on about. I speculate that he believe that the story told by the man arrested was not true but as pointed out by another poster there were witnesses so if it's not the truth it'll come out in the UK papers. What are you upset about by the comment "I have no idea what he is on about?" Are you upset by that comment? I have no idea what you're on about - honestly.

There must have been plenty of witnesses so if the above isn't the truth, no doubt it will come out soon enough in the UK papers.

When Chalerm's son killed a cop who had run over his toes in the nightclub at Rachadaphisek at point blank, about 10 witnesses had seen him firing the gun at close distance... even the closed circuit camera's had captured this but the image appeared very unclear (sic??????)

He was acquitted for lack of evidence and witnesses! By this, Thailand had its own O.J. Simpson case! Something to be proud of! Then the killer was black, the victim was white.... and the jury was black as well.

You think this time it will be better? Don't forget the killer is a Thai, the victim is a "farang", which makes a hell of a difference...

Thai justice... no surprise!

The difference is this guy's friends and a lot of other people who witnessed what happened will be heading back to their own countries where they have nothing to fear from the truth.

With the above taken into account, I'd guess the current version of events given by the BIB is for once pretty accurate.

RIP Stephen!--

Another thai man who was in dire need of a father when he was growing up.

Qualify that with a "good" father and you've got it right.

Yes quite right.

But then perhaps any father is better than none, as it is in so many cases in Thailand.

Does anyone know why the women upbringing the children in Thailand do not seem to be doing such a good job. As I believe is the case.

I know my son listened to his papa a lot more than to his mama.

Please don't transform this new thread as an hang him high or a Thai bashing thread. Already a few post disappeared.

Thanks for understanding

RIP Stephen Ashton.

As for the previous poster, I have no idea what he is on about.

"I have no idea what he is on about."

No matter how sad, deplorable or unfortunate an event, there always seems to be some bitter, unhappy member of the ThaiVisa fraternity sitting at his computer ready to make it even more sordid with his pointless, groundless hate mongering.

Especially sad that the victim was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.

I also have no idea what the previous poster was on about. I speculate that he believe that the story told by the man arrested was not true but as pointed out by another poster there were witnesses so if it's not the truth it'll come out in the UK papers. What are you upset about by the comment "I have no idea what he is on about?" Are you upset by that comment? I have no idea what you're on about - honestly.

With all due respect, but why would the truth come out in the UK papers? Do they have somebody on the ground in KP?

Sad indeed, not a great way to start a new year. Caught in the crossfire, is that murder or manslaughter?

RIP Stephen, condolences to the family.

Tragic for the victim, his family and friends. Good to see a quick and positive police response.

10 to 1 he makes bail and bails out of the area.

50 to 1 if he is tried in a lawful court (and thats suspect too) he will make bail too.

History makes the rules here for murderers, child molestors, rapists, 6 time users, losers and abusers..

R.I.P mate! What a shitty way to go, being on holiday, celebrating the new year and then this!!!

As far as the shooter goes, well, he's kinda cute. I'm sure the lifers in sing sing will "like" him a lot!

Well done to the Thai Police for catching him. Good Job!

My opinion also,they do a good job

Police identified the suspect as Ekkapun Klaewkla. Police said he confessed to killing Stephen Ashton, 22, a city trader, during an exchange of fire with another group of men who allegedly fired at his group.

Police quoted Ekkapun as claiming that his group was outnumbered during a fight at about 5am on January 1, so he decided to use his homemade gun to protect himself. Ashton was hit accidentally.

Dry that one out you can fertilize the lawn. Bullshit. And he thought of this himself or with a little help from the BIB - disgusting.

Amazing Lieland.

Story sounds plausible to me. It would also be wrong to charge him with murder because the explanation reveals manslaughter. 10 years inside at worst.

This story is being reported by among others the BBC, so the police seem to understand a quick result is required.