Koh Tao island 'sealed off' after gruesome murder of two British tourists

[webfact]

CRIME
Koh Tao 'sealed off' after two tourists brutally killed
THE NATION, AFP



Gruesome murders of British pair on island paradise shock locals and visitors

BANGKOK: -- POLICE have sealed off the resort island of Koh Tao off Surat Thani province to hunt down killers who brutally murdered a British couple and possibly raped the woman on Sunday night. The 24-year-old victims have been identified as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Last night, one of Miller's friends was detained after he provided conflicting information, Surat Thani police commander Pol Maj General Kiattiphong Kaosam-ang said. There were multiple scratches on the suspect's body and he had a serious wound on his hand.

However, Kiattiphong said surveillance camera footage also showed an Asian man fleeing the scene at 3am, which prompted investigators to initially believe there might be a sole attacker. Police believed he could possibly have been a migrant worker or fishing-trawler crewman.

The deaths have come as a shock to tourists and residents on the small island, which is known as one of the best diving sites in Thailand.

Initial investigation at the site on Chor Por Ror beach has been completed and bodies will be sent to Bangkok for autopsy and further forensic examination.

Kiattiphong said both victims had arrived at the island separately. Witheridge checked in at Ocean Ville resort on August 27, while Miller arrived on September 13. Witheridge was with four girlfriends, while Miller came with two or three other men. As their rooms were close by, the two groups came to know each other.

Investigators learned that the victims had gone to a party at the neighbouring AC Resort, and left together before their bodies were found at 6.30am yesterday.

Police sealed off the island and kicked off a manhunt for the attackers. Residents have also been helping with the search.

According to Kiattipong, "most of the wounds were to their heads" and said he believed the suspect, or suspects, were "probably still on the island".

It was not immediately known whether Witheridge was sexually assaulted - that is expected to be determined in the autopsy. Both victims were naked when discovered.

A statement from the British Embassy in Bangkok said officials were "urgently seeking information from local authorities. Consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to friends and family at this tragic time".

Checkpoints have been set-up on the island's two piers, and local police called for reinforcements from Koh Pha-ngan, while high seas prevented ferries and boats from leaving.

Distraught friends of the victims - who had seen the pair partying just hours before their bodies were found - gathered at the local police station.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, meanwhile, said Tourist Police were already on high alert. She added that tourists visiting the Kingdom would all be under the protection of official bodies to prevent further damage to the country's reputation.

An employee at the budget Ocean Ville resort told AFP that the bodies were found behind some large rocks on the beach about 20 metres from each other and a bloodstained hoe was found nearby.

"This is the first time that this has happened on the island. I have never seen anything like this," the staff member added requesting anonymity.

Regional commander Pol Lt-General Panya Mamen and Kiattiphong had flown into the island earlier upon hearing of the gruesome killings.

This was yet another horrific crime against foreign tourists and British citizens in recent years - including the 2006 rape and murder of Briton Katherine Horton, 21, on nearby Koh Samui and the 2000 rape and murder of Kirsty Jones, 23, at a guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

There were 389 deaths of British nationals in Thailand in the year to March 2013, about one for every 2,400 visitors or residents although that figure includes natural causes.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Koh-Tao-sealed-off-after-two-tourists-brutally-kil-30243363.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-16

[watcharacters]

.

This murder did make it to international headlines.

Thailand certainly doesn't lack for grief producing events.

[Zonka]

One of Millers friends has been detained. Police believe it could possibly be a migrant worker. Why do Thais never want to admit responsibility. How could they possibly know that the cctv footage is a migrant worker?

[jaidam]

Lomprayah ferry running past my window right now on route to Phangan/Samui, so if the ferries are running they must have caught the murderer?

[Bluespunk]

According to BBC they are looking for a friend of both who has apparently left the island. Not sure how true it is though. Lots of rumours at moment.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Tourists visiting the Kingdom will all be under the protection of official bodies to prevent further damage to the country's reputation. "

Does this mean all scams, rip offs, double / triple pricing etc are to stop ? Of course not !

The only thing the minister said that was in any way accurate was ' preventing further damage to the country's reputation ' which is all that matters.

[EricBerg]

"Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, meanwhile, said Tourist Police were already on high alert. She added that tourists visiting the Kingdom would all be under the protection of official bodies to prevent further damage to the country's reputation."

"Tourists would all be under the protection" ... "to prevent further damage to the country's reputation." So the minister wants to protect the country's reputaytion, not necessarily the tourist's lifes. Some attitude there.

[Bluespunk]

Why do they need to include that picture with a story like this. No sense of dignity or respect for the victims of these horrific murders.

[davehowden]

"She added that tourists visiting the Kingdom would all be under the protection of official bodies to prevent further damage to the country's reputation."

What about protecting the tourists rather than your grubby reputation and thieving income!!

[NongKhaiKid]

One of Millers friends has been detained. Police believe it could possibly be a migrant worker. Why do Thais never want to admit responsibility. How could they possibly know that the cctv footage is a migrant worker?

Early on someone from Surat Thani BIB was quoted as saying a migrant worker might be involved but there was no actual evidence !

CNN are now reporting the police want to talk to one of the deceased's friends who has already left the island.

As long as a Thai isn't involved it's all good.

[EricBerg]

389 dead Brits in 12 months is quite a lot btw. How many deads from oher nationalities? Perhaps TAT could publish the expected fall of numbers of murdered tourists along side with their optimistic expected rise of numbers of tourists.

[siampolee]

Zonka post # 3

One of Millers friends has been detained. Police believe it could possibly be a migrant worker. Why do Thais never want to admit responsibility. How could they possibly know that the cctv footage is a migrant worker?

Because dear Zonka, the mighty god the tourist baht is at risk thus as the Thai's are such honest hard working people, as an example we must observer closely the jet Ski industry the gem trade options when sadly the temple of the Emerald Buddha is closed they indeed strive to create a tourist paradise a safer haven from a cruel world

indeed the list of alternatives is amazing in its range and ingenuity. The Thai's have but one aim pure Sanook for their foreign guests.

To see a tourist returning home somewhat lighter, (thus obviously healthier,) mainly in their pockets than when they arrived is indeed the attainment of Nirvana for the Thai's involved in the great tourist industry scam schemes

Thus of course it could in fact could nay in fact must be only a ''foreigner who would commit such vile crimes against Thailand's tourists guests.

As an aside to the post above by Eric Berg. The murder/ homicide count for the U.K in 2013 amounted to 551 homicides which when compared to the figure here for the deaths of U.K citizens (339) the comparison ratio wise shows that the U.K. homicide rate is indeed low. Might be safer staying at home perhaps viewing those figures.

Considering we are taking into account a tourist industry and the numbers involved it would seem in truth that Thailand is a somewhat dangerous place for U.K citizens as seems the case for other foreign tourists Ttoo .

http://www.citizensreportuk.org/reports/murders-fatal-violence-uk.html

[chooka]

Good to see a Thai wasn't involved as it could effect tourism and revenue.

[Jeremy50]

Probably an Asian migrant worker. Whatever.

[webfact]

Police suspect foreign workers in murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao

SURAT THANI: -- The chief of Surat Thani police said he suspected Myanmar workers in the area are responsible for the murder of two British tourists on Sairee beach Sunday night.

The bodies of the two tourists were found Monday morning with serious wounds on the head of the man and on the face of the woman.

A blood-stained hoe was found nearby.

The officer, Pol Maj-Gen Kiatipong Kaosam-arng said he believed the murderers are still in the island and that they might be Myanmar workers.

He said two to three men assaulted the man first and then turned to the woman with intent to rape her.

It was possibly that she resisted and then was struck to death with a hoe which the police found left at the scene.

He said investigation and examination of surveillance cameras in the vicinity showed a man with Asian look ran out of the scene.

He said the police would send the body of The woman to the Police General Hospital for autopsy and see whether she was raped or not.

Another theory of the murder might also be from jealousy because the girl was good looking and had many boyfriends coming in contact, he said.

But he said he put the weight on the foreign workers to be the most probable theory as they might be aroused by the couple having sex on the sand and then turned to assault the man with intent to rape the girl.

He said the couple lied dead wearing no clothes.

The police have gained some clue and was confident to make arrest soon, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-suspect-foreign-workers-murder-two-british-tourists-koh-tao/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-16

[halloween]

Earlier reports suggested it might be a fishing trawler crewman, and that a hoe was found at the scene. Unusual combination.

[Kanaloa]

Migrant workers? Just like the poor Burmese sods who were enslaved on a Thai fishing boat and escaped then ended up murdering our friend on the yacht Mr Bean a couple of years ago!

[doremifasol]

R.I.P the victims and sincere condolences to their families.

This below is the only quote found on Hannah's Pinterest board:

[chooka]

But he said he put the weight on the foreign workers to be the most probable theory as they might be aroused by the couple having sex on the sand and then turned to assault the man with intent to rape the girl.

So a Thai would never get aroused by seeing two people haaving sex? Those bloody over sexed perverted foriegners are destroying Thailands beautiful squeeky clean image. The very same country who is concerned about it's porn exports to the U.S.

[thesetat2013]

Police described the two as a 23-year-old woman from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and a 24-year-old man from Jersey, Channel Islands. Their nearly naked bodies were discovered on Koh Tao, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand.

A bloodied hoe was found near the bodies and is believed to have been used as the murder weapon, police Col. Prachum Ruangthong said.

Source:

http://news.msn.com/world/2-british-tourists-found-dead-on-beach-in-thailand

It's a sad day for many today after this gruesome act.

Let's pray they find the killers fast.

[webfact]

Thailand deaths: Tourists named as David Miller and Hannah Witheridge

(BBC) -- Two British tourists have been killed in an attack on a beach in southern Thailand, local police have said.

David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, were attacked on Sunday night on the island of Koh Tao, Thai police said.

Their bodies were found with serious injuries in the early hours of Monday.

The UK Foreign Office said the British consul from Bangkok was travelling to the island, which is a popular tourist destination, "as soon as possible".

'Boats blocked'

The bodies were found close to the beach-side bungalows where the pair had been staying.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29203116


-- BBC 2014-09-16

[coma]

A 'friend' giving conflicting stories with a cut on his hand. Ummm.

[BSJ]

It could be the Thai, or Asian person, was going fishing...saw the bodies, panicked and bolted out of there to avoid getting involved.

But lets not jump to conclusions, that's the police job.

[Bluespunk]

"Another theory of the murder might also be from jealousy because the girl was good looking and had many boyfriends coming in contact, he said."

Please tell me that's just a poor translation of what he said and not him hinting about loose morals being to blame.

[coma]

Zonka post # 3

One of Millers friends has been detained. Police believe it could possibly be a migrant worker. Why do Thais never want to admit responsibility. How could they possibly know that the cctv footage is a migrant worker?

Because dear Zonka, the mighty god the tourist baht is at risk thus as the Thai's are such honest hard working people, as an example we must observer closely the jet Ski industry the gem trade options when sadly the temple of the Emerald Buddha is closed they indeed strive to create a tourist paradise a safer haven from a cruel world

indeed the list of alternatives is amazing in its range and ingenuity. The Thai's have but one aim pure Sanook for their foreign guests.

To see a tourist returning home somewhat lighter, (thus obviously healthier,) mainly in their pockets than when they arrived is indeed the attainment of Nirvana for the Thai's involved in the great tourist industry scam schemes

Thus of course it could in fact could nay in fact must be only a ''foreigner who would commit such vile crimes against Thailand's tourists guests.

As an aside to the post above by Eric Berg. The murder/ homicide count for the U.K in 2013 amounted to 551 homicides which when compared to the figure here for the deaths of U.K citizens (339) the comparison ratio wise shows that the U.K. homicide rate is indeed low. Might be safer staying at home perhaps viewing those figures.

Considering we are taking into account a tourist industry and the numbers involved it would seem in truth that Thailand is a somewhat dangerous place for U.K citizens as seems the case for other foreign tourists Ttoo .

http://www.citizensreportuk.org/reports/murders-fatal-violence-uk.html

The figures you provide give no weight to whether homicide figures are high or low. As long as you compare homicide figures against total death figures in a foriegn country it will inevitably be a false perception.

[coma]

"Another theory of the murder might also be from jealousy because the girl was good looking and had many boyfriends coming in contact, he said."

Please tell me that's just a poor translation of what he said and not him hinting about loose morals being to blame.

What is interesting is that both bodies were found naked. Doubt a killer would have spent time undressing the victims of his crime. And for what reason? Attacked during/after a skinny dip?

[daoyai]

But he said he put the weight on the foreign workers to be the most probable theory as they might be aroused by the couple having sex on the sand and then turned to assault the man with intent to rape the girl. So a Thai would never get aroused by seeing two people haaving sex? Those bloody over sexed perverted foriegners are destroying Thailands beautiful squeeky clean image. The very same country who is concerned about it's porn exports to the U.S.

In this case it is very logical to suspect one or more migrant Burmese workers... There are very few Thais living and working on the Island, they run the place and are a tight knit community. The Burmese community is very large, almost all resort, dive boat, restaurant staff and construction is Burmese. many (most) undocumented. The weapon used in the attack is most likely the heavy hoe tool used to mix concrete in the plastic tubs found on every construction site. The scenario of a tipsy tryst of two farang on that somewhat secluded spot being observed by the perpetrators and ending tragicly is the most plausable.

[daveAustin]

Why are people surprised and appalled at the authorities' concern regards the damage done to the country's reputation? You've been here long enough to know they don't give a flying one about much else, especially tourist welfare. It is all face and money here. Everything else is immaterial, incidental, expendable. Sad and morbid, but true.

And I very much doubt the perp is a Thai person/people. They are not into raping and murdering little girls etc!

[Expat Girl]

This is very sad news, read it on the BBC website this morning, my heart goes out to their families, who are so far away, lets hope the British Embassy gives them the support they need.

Also what stood out for me is the line 'there were 389 deaths of British nationals in Thailand in the year to March 2013' , can it really be that high, that's incredible, and a bit scary.

[Eliot Rosewater]

.

This murder did make it to international headlines.

Thailand certainly doesn't lack for grief producing events.

Yes it did, read it on CNN this morning