U K Cautions Citizens After Koh Phangan Killing: Thailand

[webfact]

SURAT THANI

UK cautions citizens after Pha-ngan killing

KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI,

SOMCHAI SAMART

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The British ambassador has warned his countrymen to exercise caution when travelling in Thailand, following the killing of a British tourist by a stray bullet at a New Year's beach party on the popular island of Pha-ngan.

"There are risks in going anywhere and I think Thailand is certainly not completely trouble-free," Mark Kent said in an interview with UK-based Sky News on Tuesday night.

He urged British tourists to check out the travel advice on the embassy's website.

However, the embassy has not issued any statement about the matter.

Kent tweeted to The Nation yesterday that he would go to Surat Thani today and meet with local authorities.

The victim's parents will travel from England to Pha-ngan to take custody of their son's body, according to Pha-ngan police, who were informed about their arrival by the British Embassy.

Stockbroker Stephen Ashton, 22, was killed when a Thai man opened fire during a bar brawl in the early hours of Tuesday. The Brit was shot accidentally while dancing and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Ekkapun Klaewkla, 26, who was arrested hours after the shooting, was taken to the scene by police for re-enactment of the crime but it was washed out by rain.

The suspect confessed to firing the fatal shot, telling police his group was outnumbered by its rivals during a fight so he decided to use his home-made gun to protect himself.

-- The Nation 2013-01-03

related topic

Thailand Shooting: How Could My Son's Life Be Taken So Recklessly?: Stephen Ashton's Family

[chooka]

Major news in Australia also, heres a link to the re enactment. actually two stories in this clip.

http://news.ninemsn....death-in-phuket

The suspect has quite a contented smug smile on his face, probably thinking nothing will come of it as it was just an accident. My condolences to the family.

Edited January 3, 2013 by chooka

[impulse]

Pretty tough to watch out for stray bullets that have nothing to do with any actions on your part- other than just being there...

[osiboy]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

[moe666]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

A bit over reaction there, how many people come here year in and out without as much as a scratch. My best wishes to the family in their time of loss.

[simple1]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

HMG does warn travellers visiting Thailand, but do not know if the website is advertised in UK media outlets. Specifically "Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan". Source at

http://ukinthailand....s/travel-advice

EDIT: As evidenced by many posts on TV, the usual response to government is yeah, yeah, nanny state, not going to happen to me...

Edited January 3, 2013 by simple1

[BrianCR]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Wild West? I've got no idea where you live or what medicine you are taking but I'd like to try some!

[Moruya]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Wild West? I've got no idea where you live or what medicine you are taking but I'd like to try some!

There are way too many murders, rapes, muggings etc. In Thailand for the image it wishes to portray and the amount of tourist dollars expended here.

[bendejo]

Interesting pic, the bad guy gets to wear the body armour.

Boy, is that a contrite expression if I ever saw one!

It's all a joke, he knows it because he didn't kill a person, he killed a farang. I don't think there any Thai laws against that.

[evadgib]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice

Edited January 3, 2013 by evadgib

[rinteln]

What a stupid piece of advice from our Embassy. How can someone be cautious of dancing on a beach and anticipating a gun fight or infact any situation in any location.

In fact I cant think of one thing that anyone can do to "be cautious" as they put it. There is danger everywhere which cannot be anticipated and for sure one cannot prepare for all the time. And what will "checking travel advice" do ?!! after an event like this. Is the travel advice that Brits should not go to that beach, not go to that island, not come to Thailand or are they saying wear bullet proof vests !!

Just a cheap punchline from what I think is a terrible Embassy for more than one reason. A comment that does no help whatsoever to either the current event or to protect against future events.

What they should do is their duty towards a deceased British national and not giving bad or undefined advice to the rest of us or potential tourists.

Edited January 3, 2013 by rinteln

[BwindiBoy]

It made the BBC National news at 10, so let's hope this is the start of them keeping track of such occurrences. The more media attention, the more awareness for everyone and maybe some action from the Thais to address things.

What a waste of life and completely unnecessary - Thais seem to put very little value on life and really need to lose the juvenile approach to confrontations; the reaction / violence often seems completely disproportionate to the situation and I suspect this was the case with this Thai on Thai disagreement. Losing face has to be better than someone losing their life!

Devastating for the family.

[geriatrickid]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Oh come on. You are way over the top on this. There are obviously some safety issues related to Thailand, but foreign governments have all provided the necessary cautions and advisories. it is up to the individual visitor to exercise sober judgement. Do you really think that if the warning was any stronger, visitors would listen? The likelihood of a random killing like this is remote and probably far less than back in the UK. A foreign government cannot do any more than what has been done, unless you want the UK to send warships and a garrison to protect its citizens when they go drinking? On one hand we have people complaining of the nanny state and then we have people complaining there is not enough nanny state. If you really want the nasty truth, any prudent sentient person would give koh Phagnan a pass, and yet hundreds of thousands do not. If the visitor doesn't want to be cautious there is nothing the UK government can do. The warnings are all over the place.

[rinteln]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Oh come on. You are way over the top on this. There are obviously some safety issues related to Thailand, but foreign governments have all provided the necessary cautions and advisories. it is up to the individual visitor to exercise sober judgement. Do you really think that if the warning was any stronger, visitors would listen? The likelihood of a random killing like this is remote and probably far less than back in the UK. A foreign government cannot do any more than what has been done, unless you want the UK to send warships and a garrison to protect its citizens when they go drinking? On one hand we have people complaining of the nanny state and then we have people complaining there is not enough nanny state. If you really want the nasty truth, any prudent sentient person would give koh Phagnan a pass, and yet hundreds of thousands do not. If the visitor doesn't want to be cautious there is nothing the UK government can do. The warnings are all over the place.

I agree, which is the reason why I think that if all an Embassy can do after an event like this is give unproductive advice such as "be careful" then it should just not bother. "be careful" can apply to anywhere and does not help in the slightest. Only knowing or being prewarned of a very generic danger in a vast area does not help you at all in preventing possible situations.

Edited January 3, 2013 by rinteln

[confuzedThai]

Nice that the world is catching on.

[simple1]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Oh come on. You are way over the top on this. There are obviously some safety issues related to Thailand, but foreign governments have all provided the necessary cautions and advisories. it is up to the individual visitor to exercise sober judgement. Do you really think that if the warning was any stronger, visitors would listen? The likelihood of a random killing like this is remote and probably far less than back in the UK. A foreign government cannot do any more than what has been done, unless you want the UK to send warships and a garrison to protect its citizens when they go drinking? On one hand we have people complaining of the nanny state and then we have people complaining there is not enough nanny state. If you really want the nasty truth, any prudent sentient person would give koh Phagnan a pass, and yet hundreds of thousands do not. If the visitor doesn't want to be cautious there is nothing the UK government can do. The warnings are all over the place.

I agree, which is the reason why I think that if all an Embassy can do after an event like this is give unproductive advice such as "be careful" then it should just not bother. "be careful" can apply to anywhere and does not help in the slightest. Only knowing or being prewarned of a very generic danger in a vast area does not help you at all in preventing possible situations.

As quoted above HMG has provided a very specific warning via FCO travel advisory website, repeated below. It is impossible to avoid any possibility of danger, even in the U.K.

"Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan".

Edited January 3, 2013 by simple1

[angsta]

Better late than never. I am not buying any of his story either.

[rinteln]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Oh come on. You are way over the top on this. There are obviously some safety issues related to Thailand, but foreign governments have all provided the necessary cautions and advisories. it is up to the individual visitor to exercise sober judgement. Do you really think that if the warning was any stronger, visitors would listen? The likelihood of a random killing like this is remote and probably far less than back in the UK. A foreign government cannot do any more than what has been done, unless you want the UK to send warships and a garrison to protect its citizens when they go drinking? On one hand we have people complaining of the nanny state and then we have people complaining there is not enough nanny state. If you really want the nasty truth, any prudent sentient person would give koh Phagnan a pass, and yet hundreds of thousands do not. If the visitor doesn't want to be cautious there is nothing the UK government can do. The warnings are all over the place.

I agree, which is the reason why I think that if all an Embassy can do after an event like this is give unproductive advice such as "be careful" then it should just not bother. "be careful" can apply to anywhere and does not help in the slightest. Only knowing or being prewarned of a very generic danger in a vast area does not help you at all in preventing possible situations.

As quoted above HMG has provided a very specific warning via FCO travel advisory website, repeated below. It is impossible to avoid any possibility of danger, even in the U.K.

"Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan".

Cant make out from that which side you are on but even if that advise sounds good then I still question the effect or productivity. There are only really 2 things that someone can do off the back of that advice.........either not come to Thailand at all or somehow behave or prepare differently while they are here. Not coming to Thailand wont hardly ever be an option unless the person concerned is an extremely paranoid person or if the general feeling is really really bad (like mass waves of public crime and break out). And of course no one can be in preparation while they are here all of the time in anticipation of a violent situation.

All in all its bad and not very productive advice and I suspect just the normal PR that the British Embassy try to come out with when they cant do anything, which I accept they cant and dont blame them but dont try to pretend you care and you are helping by coming out with PR rubbish that is more damaging. As with many other things that happen in Thailand the British Embassy is quite poor in its performance. I only need to remind readers of how they advised and reported the Red Shirts in Bangkok.

Edited January 3, 2013 by rinteln

[gentman]

the embassy just remain their citizens to be caution and be alert whenever they travel overseas, that all i read.

they are duty bound to do it.

[theajarn]

As quoted above HMG has provided a very specific warning via FCO travel advisory website, repeated below. It is impossible to avoid any possibility of danger, even in the U.K.

"Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan".

Cant make out from that which side you are on but even if that advise sounds good then I still question the effect or productivity. There are only really 2 things that someone can do off the back of that advice.........either not come to Thailand at all or somehow behave or prepare differently while they are here. Not coming to Thailand wont hardly ever be an option unless the person concerned is an extremely paranoid person or if the general feeling is really really bad (like mass waves of public crime and break out). And of course no one can be in preparation while they are here all of the time in anticipation of a violent situation.

All in all its bad and not very productive advice and I suspect just the normal PR that the British Embassy try to come out with when they cant do anything, which I accept they cant and dont blame them but dont try to pretend you care and you are helping by coming out with PR rubbish that is more damaging. As with many other things that happen in Thailand the British Embassy is quite poor in its performance. I only need to remind readers of how they advised and reported the Red Shirts in Bangkok.

Really? To me it sounds like "Don't go to these stupid things called 'full-moon parties' because there are usually drunk idiots with guns there". Maybe I'm reading it wrong... or maybe, according to your reasoning, the ONLY reason to go to Thailand is to attend these full moon parties?

[bigbamboo]

Look out TAT.......... people are beginning to notice.

[geriatrickid]

Interesting enough, last night I was about to take a dark soi here in Hua Hin on my way home. it was only 11pm and I was sober, but my friend grabs me and says NO. bad soi, you get knifed. Ooopsie. Wasn't thinking. It's Hua Hin, how unsafe can it be? My friend who's built like a little brick sh*thouse wasn't taking any chances Score 1 to the Thai vs, the naive farang.

[geriatrickid]

Look out TAT.......... people are beginning to notice.

ahh so that explains the robust tourism numbers.......

[rinteln]

As quoted above HMG has provided a very specific warning via FCO travel advisory website, repeated below. It is impossible to avoid any possibility of danger, even in the U.K.

"Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan".

Cant make out from that which side you are on but even if that advise sounds good then I still question the effect or productivity. There are only really 2 things that someone can do off the back of that advice.........either not come to Thailand at all or somehow behave or prepare differently while they are here. Not coming to Thailand wont hardly ever be an option unless the person concerned is an extremely paranoid person or if the general feeling is really really bad (like mass waves of public crime and break out). And of course no one can be in preparation while they are here all of the time in anticipation of a violent situation.

All in all its bad and not very productive advice and I suspect just the normal PR that the British Embassy try to come out with when they cant do anything, which I accept they cant and dont blame them but dont try to pretend you care and you are helping by coming out with PR rubbish that is more damaging. As with many other things that happen in Thailand the British Embassy is quite poor in its performance. I only need to remind readers of how they advised and reported the Red Shirts in Bangkok.

Really? To me it sounds like "Don't go to these stupid things called 'full-moon parties' because there are usually drunk idiots with guns there". Maybe I'm reading it wrong... or maybe, according to your reasoning, the ONLY reason to go to Thailand is to attend these full moon parties?

No thats not what i meant and sorry if it came across like that. For my point there is no need to be fussy on the location. I have even heard stories of farangs going to a village in Korat and being gunned down. My principle point is no matter where you are in the world there are bad people and bad things happen unpredictably.

Its what you can do about it proactively that counts when giving advise, in this case its either not going to Thailand at all or being on permanent alert for it which if course is silly ! Advising someone to be careful about something which is almost impossible to prepare for and impossible to expect is just not useful.

You can slightly reduce your odds by staying away from suspect places in Thailand yes but the Ambassador didn't say don't go to certain establishments, he was very generic about Thailand as a whole.

It was PR & preventing liability work, simple as that.

Edited January 3, 2013 by rinteln

[chooka]

Look out TAT.......... people are beginning to notice.

ahh so that explains the robust tourism numbers.......

Record numbers every year, soon the country will be to small to accomadate all the arrivals and they will have to start turning people away. We have all heard of extreme sports, well Thailand could soon lay claim to the hub of extreme tourism.

[spidermike007]

Why do our ambassadors seem so gutless ?! , it's time to warn people how dangerous thailand REALLY .... is , <deleted> to who he may or may not upset , sure there are "risks" in going anywhere, ....wonderful statement , ...like we didn't know travel can be dangerous , ...no sh*t sherlock ! no guts to tell the British tourist its like the wild west here now ? , what you scared of ? loosing some business , sure , the govt coffers come 1st .......the russians told e'm in no uncertain terms to clean up there act , whats the matter Mr Kent , you need mummy to hold your hand ?...........PATHETIC !...........GIVE A WARNING TO ALL BRIT TRAVELERS , we are becoming cannon fodder for thai gangsters <deleted>

Wild West? I've got no idea where you live or what medicine you are taking but I'd like to try some!

He is referring to samui and phangan, which ARE the most lawless areas in Thailand. The police there are absolutely useless. No detective work and no protection for locals or tourists, unless they are mafia connected, or politically connected. The mafia on these two lawless islands are far more powerful than the police.

[bigbamboo]

Look out TAT.......... people are beginning to notice.

ahh so that explains the robust tourism numbers.......

Nothing explains the robust tourism numbers.

[ThomasBird67]

Lived in Thailand for more than 6 years and had been coming here for almost 5 years before that and I am happy to say I have NEVER been to Koh Pha-ngan nor do I have any desire to ever attend that awful place full of stupid drunk foreigners, drug addicts and the lowest of the low you will find anywhere in Thailand. Heard enough of the horror stories from not only Thai Visa but friends who have gone and vowed to never return. Go to that toilet at your own risk and don't complain when something bad happens to you.

[cloudhopper]

Look out TAT.......... people are beginning to notice.

ahh so that explains the robust tourism numbers.......

Nothing explains the robust tourism numbers.

Visa runs and migrant laborers.

[steffi]

What's all this talk about a suspended sentence?

What law in Thailand allows this guy to be in possession of a firearm in a public place?