Thai police hunt killers of two Britons found beaten to death

[webfact]

Thai police hunt killers of two Britons found beaten to death

BANGKOK, September 16, 2014 (AFP) - Thai police Tuesday searched for the killers of two British tourists found naked and beaten to death on the southern resort island of Koh Tao, as their bodies were due to arrive in Bangkok for forensic tests.

David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found dead early Monday with head wounds near a beachside bungalow on the island, a diving hot-spot near Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.

An island-wide search for suspects was under way with police deployed at Koh Tao's main pier.
"There are three possible suspects," southern regional police commander Panya Maman told AFP, without confirming their nationalities.

UK media reports said police were seeking a British man who had been travelling with Miller in connection with the killings.

"We have set up a coordination centre which is responsible for the investigation and mobilised both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan residents to help police," Panya said.

The bodies of the victims are due to arrive in Bangkok later Tuesday for forensic tests, said local police official Jakkrapan Kaewkhao.

The Britons, who arrived in Thailand on August 25, had been seen partying at a local bar just hours before their deaths, according to police.

Their bodies were found at around 6:30 am Monday with a bloodied hoe discovered 35 metres (yards) from the murder scene, Jakkrapan told AFP.

Koh Tao, home to stunning white sand beaches and azure waters, is popular with divers but is smaller and more laid-back than neighbouring Koh Phangan -- which draws hordes of backpackers to its hedonistic "full moon" party.

The murders are likely to heap more misery on Thailand's lucrative tourism industry, which has been battered in recent months after a prolonged political crisis ended in a coup.

The army swiftly blanketed the country with a curfew and strict martial law, frightening off visitors.

Although the curfew was soon lifted from key tourist hotspots, visitor numbers have yet to rebound and martial law remains in place.

Military leaders have vowed to restore the nation's reputation as the "Land of Smiles" with a clean-up targeting tourist resorts after a series of complaints about scams, assaults and even police extortion.

Britain says Thailand is the country where its citizens are second most likely to require consular assistance if they visit, behind the Philippines.

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

But it is rare for tourists to be murdered in Thailand, although it is not uncommon for a visitor to die in an accident.

In July last year a 51-year-old American tourist was stabbed to death after an apparent row in a bar in Krabi, another popular tourist haven.

His death came just weeks after another American was slashed to death by a taxi driver in Bangkok after an apparent argument over the fare.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-09-16

[webfact]

Surat police detain three Myanmar workers for questioning in connection with Britons murder



BANGKOK: -- Surat Thani provincial police chief said Tuesday that the police have detained three Myanmar workers for questioning after suspecting they might be involved in the brutal murder of the two British tourists on Sairee beach in Koh Tao Sunday night.

Pol Maj- Gen Kiatipong Khoasamarng said the police have at first targeted on foreign labour working in Koh Tao and now are closing in a group of suspects who are Myanmar workers.

They had liquor drinks near the scene on Sunday night before the two bodies would be found.

They were detained as suspects, he said.

He said the police are awaiting the DNA test on the british girl, 24, whose body was sent to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for DNA test if she was raped by the suspects.

If the DNA test matches those of these suspects, then they will be prosecuted immediately.

Earlier the police chief of Surat Thani province said a foreign worker was captured by a resort’s surveillance camera running out of the scene where the naked bodies of the girl and her boyfriend were found.

Both tourists have serious wounds on the head and face, believed to be struck by a hoe which was abandoned near the place.

The hoe was bloodstained.

He also said more than two suspects were involved in the murder of the male tourist and possibly rape-murder of the female victim.

He also said earlier the police suspected one of her male friend as he had bruises on his body which might be caused from fighting with the victim over sex threat.

However this was cleared when he has proved the bruises were caused from fire during the beach party.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/surat-police-detain-three-myanmar-workers-questioning-connection-britons-murder/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-16

[ToddinChonburi]

What a mess !!!

[EricBerg]

As often with a high profile case the BiB make a fast arrest. Often it concerns foreign workers (from Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar). Now see if there's a DNA match. If not start looking for Thai suspects.

[englishoak]

Could be any national but it is striking only foreigners are current suspects. Far too much "its them" since this tragedy happened

No point blaming foreign workers from Myanmar or anywhere else and trying to pass off its not Thailand's responsibility, even if it does turn out to be a non Thai the Thais employ them, they don't care what background or history people have as long as they come cheap. Ultimately Thailand is responsible for tourists safety in Thailand, and they totally failed these two people.

This is an extremely high profile incident in the UK and The British government will no doubt be taking a keen interest and quite possibly will want to substantiate any DNA matched to any suspects before its rushed through any courts. I don't think this time a half baked rush job on any patsy will cut it or be accepted by HM Gov and nor should it.

[webfact]

Thai police question three Myanmar men over murder of British pair
by Preeti JHA

BANGKOK, September 16, 2014 (AFP) - Thai police Tuesday questioned three Myanmar men over the murder of two British tourists on the southern resort island of Koh Tao, as their bodies were due to arrive in Bangkok for forensic tests.

David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found naked and beaten to death early Monday near a beachside bungalow on the island, a diving hot-spot near Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.

A bloodied hoe was discovered 35 metres (yards) from the murder scene.

"Three male Myanmar migrant workers are under police detention for investigation," southern regional police commander Panya Maman told AFP, without providing any further details.

His comments came after UK media reports said police were seeking a British man who had been travelling with Miller in connection with the killings.

Panya could not confirm Thai television reports that police had seized an iPhone and blood-stained jeans after raiding rooms used by the Myanmar suspects.

Thai authorities frequently accuse migrants from Myanmar and Cambodia of committing crimes in the kingdom, where they make up a vast, poorly-paid and low-status workforce.

The bodies of the victims, who arrived in Thailand on August 25, are due to arrive in Bangkok later Tuesday for forensic tests, said local police official Jakkrapan Kaewkhao.

- 'Affected our image' -

Koh Tao, home to stunning white sand beaches and azure waters, is popular with divers but is smaller and more laid-back than neighbouring Koh Phangan -- which draws hordes of backpackers to its hedonistic "full moon" party.

On Tuesday Thai junta chief and prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha appeared to call into question the victims' conduct in addition to the perpetrators of the attack.

"We have to look into the behaviour of the other party too because this kind of incident should not happen to anybody and it has affected our image," he told reporters, referring to the two tourists.

Police earlier said the pair had been seen partying at a local bar just hours before they died.

The murders are likely to heap more misery on Thailand's lucrative tourism industry, which has been battered in recent months after a prolonged political crisis ended in a coup.

The army swiftly blanketed the country with a curfew and strict martial law, frightening off visitors.

Although the curfew was soon lifted from key tourist hotspots, visitor numbers have yet to rebound and martial law remains in place.

Military leaders have vowed to restore the nation's reputation as the "Land of Smiles" with a clean-up targeting tourist resorts after a series of complaints about scams, assaults and even police extortion.

Britain says Thailand is the country where its citizens are second most likely to require consular assistance if they visit, behind the Philippines.

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

But it is rare for tourists to be murdered in Thailand, although it is not uncommon for visitors to die accidentally.

In July last year a 51-year-old American tourist was stabbed to death after an apparent row in a bar in Krabi, another popular tourist haven.

His death came just weeks after another American was slashed to death by a taxi driver in Bangkok after an apparent argument over the fare.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-09-16

[DrLom]

How does one receive bruises and scratches from a fire?

[englishoak]

How does one receive bruises and scratches from a fire?

You play with a fire stick and whack yourself with it or stumble into a fire etc etc Seen plenty of idiots get hurt with other than burns when theres a a combination of fire and alcohol

[jaidam]

2 facts not mentioned in any reports.

The crime scene is a stone's throw from the islands police station. Come out the police station, turn left and walk straight down the road for about 50 meters and you arrive at the crime scene. Any noise,screaming,shouting would easily be heard at the police station, providing there was somebody there and the tv volume wasn't cranked up.

The police have been busy extorting tourists in recent days, likely leaving the station unattended. I know this because I was rudely stopped while riding a scooter and an imposing physical search was carried out by a group of 5 policemen on the 14th. Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances. If anything changes as a result of this crime, I hope all Koh Tao police will be changed for real police.

[KhunAussie52]

"police are said to be looking for a British man who apparently knew Mr Miller and may have fled to Bangkok"

http://news.sky.com/story/1336526/backpacker-hunted-over-thailand-double-murder

[DrLom]

"police are said to be looking for a British man who apparently knew Mr Miller and may have fled to Bangkok"

http://news.sky.com/story/1336526/backpacker-hunted-over-thailand-double-murder

"fled" being the operative word.

I don't buy the bruising and scratches from a 'fire', and that's my humble opinion. Get this 'friend' and interrogate him.

Anybody found a picture or name of this 'friend' yet?

[webfact]

Thai PM orders speeded up probe into British tourists’ murder
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 16 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha has ordered the Thai authorities to speed up their investigation into the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao Island in the southern province of Surat Thani.

Gen Prayuth told journalists before attending today's cabinet meeting that the incident has tarnished Thailand’s tourism image, stressing that police officers have been ordered to intensify the hunt for the suspects in the double murder.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, in charge of internal security, also urged police and relevant authorities on the island to speed up search for the murderers.

Unclothed bodies of two British nationals with multiple wounds were discovered on a beach near a bungalow on the island early Monday morning.

They were later identified as David William, 24, and Hannah Victoria Witheridge, 23.

Police found blood stains, a blood-stained hoe – believed to be the murder weapon -- and a used condom near the bodies. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-09-16

[NongKhaiKid]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

[DrLom]

The 'used' condom holds all the evidence, assuming it wasn't used 3 months ago .... don't lose it guys or throw it into the bin as beach garbage.....

That should have been the first thing to be analysed... so let's assume it is right now, and not the post-haste-mortem.

[DrLom]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

You can do better than that SS , the Brit is involved in this, along with probably a few Thai "friends" he made.... IMHO. Why would a "friend" flee, all of a sudden?

[PiPiFFS]

2 facts not mentioned in any reports.

The crime scene is a stone's throw from the islands police station. Come out the police station, turn left and walk straight down the road for about 50 meters and you arrive at the crime scene. Any noise,screaming,shouting would easily be heard at the police station, providing there was somebody there and the tv volume wasn't cranked up.

The police have been busy extorting tourists in recent days, likely leaving the station unattended. I know this because I was rudely stopped while riding a scooter and an imposing physical search was carried out by a group of 5 policemen on the 14th. Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances. If anything changes as a result of this crime, I hope all Koh Tao police will be changed for real police.

Just how large a sum of cash was extorted from you during this search ? You seem to have forgotten to mention this bit ? You may be surprised to know there are more than 5 police officers on the island so the station being left unmanned is just your imagination. I for one have nothing against the police actively setting up search points around the island searching for drugs. They do this on a regular basis. It may come as a shock to you but that is called policing.

This tragic event is a very rare occurrence here and I will predict it will be solved quickly.

RIP the two young people.

[NongKhaiKid]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

You can do better than that SS , the Brit is involved in this, along with probably a few Thai "friends" he made.... IMHO. Why would a "friend" flee, all of a sudden?

I only reported what Head said not what i think and i'm not solving this one from the comfort of my armchair in Udon Thani on all the rubbish that's being reported, rumoured etc.

I like facts, " Just the facts ma'am ". The names' Friday, Joe Friday - cue Dragnet theme.

[JohnThailandJohn]

Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances.

Sounds like police doing policing. So many here LOVE to complain about police not doing their jobs but then complain when they do. FYI, paying authorities for crimes you commit is not blackmail but rather called a fine.

[jaidam]

2 facts not mentioned in any reports.

The crime scene is a stone's throw from the islands police station. Come out the police station, turn left and walk straight down the road for about 50 meters and you arrive at the crime scene. Any noise,screaming,shouting would easily be heard at the police station, providing there was somebody there and the tv volume wasn't cranked up.

The police have been busy extorting tourists in recent days, likely leaving the station unattended. I know this because I was rudely stopped while riding a scooter and an imposing physical search was carried out by a group of 5 policemen on the 14th. Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances. If anything changes as a result of this crime, I hope all Koh Tao police will be changed for real police.

Just how large a sum of cash was extorted from you during this search ? You seem to have forgotten to mention this bit ? You may be surprised to know there are more than 5 police officers on the island so the station being left unmanned is just your imagination. I for one have nothing against the police actively setting up search points around the island searching for drugs. They do this on a regular basis. It may come as a shock to you but that is called policing.

This tragic event is a very rare occurrence here and I will predict it will be solved quickly.

RIP the two young people.

"It may come as a shock to you but that is called policing."

If they catch a crime on this roadblock and charge the perpetrator, then yes, it is policing. If, they discover a crime and drive you straight to the ATM machine with an order to give 100k baht or spend a long time in jail, it's called extortion. If the police(who know exactly where drugs are sold and by whom) on the roadblock search young tourists, while letting known drug dealers pass by, and even giving one of them a wai, then it is time for a change of the police on the island.

[DrLom]

"A nationwide manhunt was reportedly under way for a third British backpacker whom police suspect of carrying out the attack before fleeing the island."

The Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/15/british-tourists-murdered-thailand-koh-tao

[webfact]

Three Myanmar workers nabbed in connection with death of two British nationals
By Digital Content



SURAT THANI, Sept 16 -- Three Myanmar labourers were brought in by the Thai authorities for questioning, after witnesses said the three men were seen drinking alcoholic drinks near the crime scene.

Meanwhile, a representative has been sent from the British Embassy in Thailand to follow up the case of the two British tourists whom were murdered while vacationing on Ko Tao Island in southern Surat Thani province.

More than 30 police officers from the Ko Pha-ngan Island Police Station raided a worker's bungalow near the crime scene earlier today, and detained three Myanmar workers, after witnesses revealed that the three suspects were drinking alcoholic drinks near the site during the time the murders took place.

The police confiscated four mobile phones from the suspects, one of which was a broken iPhone, and will examine them to determine if any of the phones belonged to the murdered victims.

The suspects' clothes were also seized, while police have been questioning them to look for any signs pointing that they had a hand in the murders.

In the meantime, a representative from the British Embassy, Consul Michael Hancock, arrived at the crime scene along with Thai Tourist Police to follow up on the case.

However the Pangan Police Station superintendent said the island would not be closed to visitors, ensuring that he has mobilised sufficient police to oversee safety on the area and to be on the lookout for suspicious persons.

Two British nationals' bodies, whom the Thai police identified as Hannah Victoria Witheridge, a 23-year-old woman from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and David William Miller, a 24-year-old man from Jersey, Channel Islands, were discovered nearly naked on Koh Tao yesterday morning.

Since then local police have been conducting a manhunt for those behind the deaths. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-16

[DrLom]

Makes the poem 'foot prints in the sand' even sound illogical to Thai forensics.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

You can do better than that SS , the Brit is involved in this, along with probably a few Thai "friends" he made.... IMHO. Why would a "friend" flee, all of a sudden?

I only reported what Head said not what i think and i'm not solving this one from the comfort of my armchair in Udon Thani on all the rubbish that's being reported, rumoured etc.

I like facts, " Just the facts ma'am ". The names' Friday, Joe Friday - cue Dragnet theme.

What about Larry Kent

[buhi]

2 facts not mentioned in any reports.

The crime scene is a stone's throw from the islands police station. Come out the police station, turn left and walk straight down the road for about 50 meters and you arrive at the crime scene. Any noise,screaming,shouting would easily be heard at the police station, providing there was somebody there and the tv volume wasn't cranked up.

The police have been busy extorting tourists in recent days, likely leaving the station unattended. I know this because I was rudely stopped while riding a scooter and an imposing physical search was carried out by a group of 5 policemen on the 14th. Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances. If anything changes as a result of this crime, I hope all Koh Tao police will be changed for real police.

You obviously know the island; at what time in the morning would it be possible to take a ferry to flee?

There is a mention of a man having fled to Bangkok. Also that the Island was sealed off.

Puzzled.

[Katipo]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

Could you provide a link to this please?

[NongKhaiKid]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

Could you provide a link to this please?

BBC World TV news on the hour

[Thai at Heart]

The BBC's Jonathan Head is on the island and is reporting the police are rounding up Burmese migrant workers for interview.

He claims a senior police officer told him the are concentrating on the Burmese as he ( the police officer ) ' COULDN'T BELIEVE A THAI WOULD DO SUCH A THING !

How does he explain the violence, open fire cases etc when it's Thai against Thai for the most minor of reasons ? Well I suppose loss of face isn't exactly minor here.

Could you provide a link to this please?

BBC World TV news on the hour

This exact same report is what was on the British BBC just now.

"He doesn't believe a Thai could do such a thing". Is this the same numpty who stated " she had lots of boys around because she was attractive."

Honestly, they need to get hold of someone with a little tact to go down there and handle the bloody press conferences. And please don't let that be someone from TAT.

[jaidam]

2 facts not mentioned in any reports.

The crime scene is a stone's throw from the islands police station. Come out the police station, turn left and walk straight down the road for about 50 meters and you arrive at the crime scene. Any noise,screaming,shouting would easily be heard at the police station, providing there was somebody there and the tv volume wasn't cranked up.

The police have been busy extorting tourists in recent days, likely leaving the station unattended. I know this because I was rudely stopped while riding a scooter and an imposing physical search was carried out by a group of 5 policemen on the 14th. Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances. If anything changes as a result of this crime, I hope all Koh Tao police will be changed for real police.

You obviously know the island; at what time in the morning would it be possible to take a ferry to flee?

There is a mention of a man having fled to Bangkok. Also that the Island was sealed off.

Puzzled.

1st ferry leaves daily at 6am. Lomprayah company. If the murder happened about 4 or 5am, the killer could easily have showered,changed and escaped on the morning boat. Remember the police were reported to know about the crime at 6.30am half an hour after the first ferry had left. If he headed straight to Samui airport he could be anywhere in the world by now.

It has been very windy, there would have been no chance for a longtail boat to take the murderers to safety.

I did not notice any trawlers in Sairee bay, when the wind is blowing hard from the west, as it has been, it would be pointless for trawlers to even anchor anywhere near Sairee, instead they would anchor on the east side of Koh Tao to get shelter from the waves. Doubtful that trawler crew had any involvement.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Don't smoke dope in Thailand. I though this would be pretty obvious by now. You are very lucky it is just a "fine".

[halloween]

Police on Koh Tao like to find small offences that they can use to blackmail tourists for large amounts of cash, such as visa issues, small amounts of prohibited substances.

Sounds like police doing policing. So many here LOVE to complain about police not doing their jobs but then complain when they do. FYI, paying authorities for crimes you commit is not blackmail but rather called a fine.

This may come as a surprise to you, but fines are imposed by courts. Police taking money to ignore crimes, or incarcerating people for lengthy periods of time and refusing prompt access to a court unless paid, is called extortion. This is a regular practice on both islands mentioned.

BTW the fine usually imposed by a court for possession of a small amount of marijuana is a few thousand baht, not the price of a new motorcycle that police demand.