Thai police hunt killers of two Britons found beaten to death

[mango66]

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.

People with such behavier, scooter - no helmet,

only a little bit of drugs,

only a little bit druncan and driving,

this are not tourists which we like here in thailand,

Police is correct to check and panish them !

And send them back and blacklist for ever !

Hope more police will show up in future and escort back

such elements to the airport !

[jaidam]

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.

My intention was not to change the subject into that of drugs and policing. It was to say the local police were engaged in nefarious activities around the time the crime was committed. Other accolades the police have earned in this investigation so far would be the sensitive release of uncensored photographs of the deceased to local media, and the suggestion that the ladies having "many boyfriends" could have been the reason. Their quote that the perp couldn't have been a Thai man due to the gruesome nature of the is also somewhat disappointing if that means they have ruled out any Thai male as a potential suspect.

We disagree because I find nothing impressive about the police's involvement in this case so far. You call it policing, I call it pathetic behavior which should see them all sacked.

[englishoak]

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'll go with current reports on the BBC rather than barstool theory thx

Police still want to speak to a British man who was with the victims on Sunday evening, but the man is probably not a "major suspect",

"They simply want to question him because they believe he was with David Miller and Hannah Witheridge as part of their group and then left early [on Monday] morning,"

So who said flee apart from the papers and you ? was he a personal friend or just a travelling friend ? is it possible this friend left the Island on the first and only boat out like many do for other reasons than to flee as you put it ? Is it possible this friend dosnt even know about the murders yet ?

I dont know and im 100% sure you dont..... I do know however if this friend needs to be found he will be when he tries to cross a border. They know who he is and have his passport flagged,. being a farang with probably limited cash funds they can have his banking blocked and or withdrawals and purchases tracked etc etc and you can bet the UK is already on that.Chances are its just as likely he had someplace other to be as a traveller and got the early boat, which is totally normal on Kho Tao, either way hes not going far whatever.

As for your interrogation quip, m8 that is one of the most stupid suggestions ive heard here so far.... way to go

[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.

Could you provide a link to this please?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

[englishoak]

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.

My intention was not to change the subject into that of drugs and policing. It was to say the local police were engaged in nefarious activities around the time the crime was committed. Other accolades the police have earned in this investigation so far would be the sensitive release of uncensored photographs of the deceased to local media, and the suggestion that the ladies having "many boyfriends" could have been the reason. Their quote that the perp couldn't have been a Thai man due to the gruesome nature of the is also somewhat disappointing if that means they have ruled out any Thai male as a potential suspect.

We disagree because I find nothing impressive about the police's involvement in this case so far. You call it policing, I call it pathetic behavior which should see them all sacked.

unfortunately id call it totally normal, especially Island police

[mistephenso]

<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.

Could you provide a link to this please?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

Try here if you can't be bothered looking...

[NickyBurma]

I hope the get the bastards who did this and i think the girl was raped after seeing the pictures leaked on liveleak but since removed due to how graphic the pictures were as to hearing the news they don't expect a Thai person to have done this i think it doesn't matter about person's nationality of a person but think everybody should be treated the same until they have catch the murder whom is involved in this case to just single out Thai not involved is dam right joke as we seen over the years here in Thailand.. Thais are not perfect ,,

Edited September 16, 2014 by NickyBurma

[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?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

If there is a link, it is usually common net courtesy to include it in the OP. If the source is the TV, that's different.

I've been on the BBC website and have watched 2 videos, none of which mentioned a police officer saying the above.

If anyone else is able to be more helpful, it would be appreciated

[webfact]

Shock and Anger on Koh Tao Over Murder of Two Britons
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Locals on the normally-peaceful island of Koh Tao are stunned by the grisly murder of two British tourists yesterday, with other foreign travelers reportedly leaving the island in droves.

The two victims, David Miller, 24, and Hanner Witheridge, 23, were found dead on Hat Sai Ri beach early Monday morning with “gruesome” injuries on their heads and faces. A bloodied gardening hoe was found nearby.

The murder appeared to take place a short distance from the bungalow where the pair was reportedly staying. Police believe the two tourists met on the island and left a party late Sunday night to take a stroll on the beach, where they were presumably ambushed and murdered.

The immediate reaction from residents on the island, whose serene beaches are a popular draw for foreign tourists, was shock and anger.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said a staff member from the resort where the two victims were staying. “This is very bad for Koh Tao.”

He added that all of the other guests have left the resort, and many appear to be leaving the island.

Chaiyan Thurasakul, the mayor of Koh Tao, said the murder has gravely damaged the image and reputation of Koh Tao.

"In the past, Koh Tao has been named as one of the top ten diving destination of the world," the mayor said. "But I don't know what will happen to the future of Koh Tao from now on."

Over 100 locals gathered near the crime scene for a vigil organised by the mayor yesterday evening. They laid flowers and lit incense at the nearby statue of King Rama V, praying for the perpetrator to be apprehended soon.

Businesses on the 21 km2 island rely almost solely on tourism, which has already been hampered over the past year by months of political unrest and a military coup in May.

Meanwhile, sources close the governor of Surat Thani province told Khaosod that provincial authorities are considering sacking Thaweesak Inprom, the chief police officer to oversee Koh Tao island, for allegedly neglecting to protect tourists’ safety.

"Mr. Thaweesak has been reprimanded many times about the safety of tourists," the source claimed. "And ever since the murder on Koh Tao took place, he has not reported to his superiors at all."

Officials say they will now implement more measures to protect tourists on Koh Tao, such as additional lighting and CCTVs in "risky areas."

Searching for a suspect

Despite a flurry of initial reports and speculation by a number of Thai media agencies, police say they have not yet charged a suspect or uncovered a motive behind the gruesome murder.

Officers are conducting a door-to-door search on the island, with a focus on Burmese immigrants following speculation that a migrant worker may have been responsible for the murder. Reports say that three Burmese men have been detained by the police for interrogation.

Migrant workers from neighboring countries are frequently accused by Thai authorities of committing crimes.

Police are also looking for an “Asian-looking man” who was reportedly seen “behaving suspiciously” in CCTV footage from the beachside party attended by the victims on Sunday night.

Footage shows the man leaving the party at around 5:00 am. Police say the victims left earlier, although they have not specified at what time. Their bodies were reportedly found by Burmese workers cleaning the beach at 6:30am.

Police said they initially sealed off the island to prevent potential suspects from fleeing, but Pol.Maj.Gen. Kiattipong Khaosam-ang, a commander of Surat Thani police, confirmed that the lockdown is no longer in place.

However, police are "screening" passengers before they board boats, Pol.Maj.Gen. Kiattipong said.

According to the British Embassy in Bangkok, a consul arrived on the island this morning and is liaising with local authorities.

“The Embassy is urgently seeking information from the local authorities and Consular staff are providing assistance to friends and family at this tragic time,” the Embassy said in a statement.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1410853303


-- Khaosod English 2014-09-16

[DrLom]

<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.

Could you provide a link to this please?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

Try here if you can't be bothered looking...

Read it this morning thanks.

[FiestyFarang]

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.

This is not Thai against Thai!

[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.

This is not Thai against Thai!

Try reading, i wrote WHEN it's Thai against Thai.

[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.

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.

Then why not go to court????? By the way, police do collect fines in Thailand and when it is a bride it is always less that the potential fine and problems face if taking the matter through the legal process. BTW, possession of weed can get you up to 5-years in prison and/or 100k Baht fine. But I understand as people breaking the law often complain when they are caught while screaming about the lack of police focus on other criminals.

Edited September 16, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[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?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

If there is a link, it is usually common net courtesy to include it in the OP. If the source is the TV, that's different.

I've been on the BBC website and have watched 2 videos, none of which mentioned a police officer saying the above.

If anyone else is able to be more helpful, it would be appreciated

Website BBC news - Asia covers the report by Jonathan Head including the senior police officers' remarksN

[AlphMichaels]

This is a crime of passion and jealousy. I hope they find the guy who reportedly fled to Bangkok.

[DrLom]

This reporting just gets worse. They became accustomed when staying within the same resort; they were not staying in the same bungalow. They were not a 'pair', but two individuals who happened to be together at a moment - pls. - be careful with 'pairing'.

[allan michaud]

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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.

I think you are being generous to the UK govt, I don't think they give a toss.

With 389 Brits dead in a year you have to wonder what is going on. How does this figure and particularly the odds of 2,400/1 that you will die while in Thailand hold up against UK visitors to other countries? How many are OAP's kicking the bucket? Far too many foreigners seem to fall off balconies for my liking.

I love the police comment. ...and mobilised both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan residents to help police," Panya said. So you organised a mob!

[jpeg]

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.

[annabel]

What a mess !!!

As Usual !!

[Traveller45]

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.

A USED CONDOM as evidence in a rape and murder case? My, what a considerate rapist! Give me a break...

[NomadJoe]

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.

Call me a skeptic but I have zero faith that the DNA will match anyone other than exactly who the Thai police wish it to match, and for sure this will not be a Thai.

[Katipo]

<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.

Could you provide a link to this please?

google is sometimes your friend.

BBC News Thailand is a good start.

Try here if you can't be bothered looking...

Thank you

[allan michaud]

From a UK govt report from 2013. Among the 'Key Findings' was this little gem.

"Thailand has seen a significant increase in hospitalisations (31%) and deaths (31%), despite fewer cases worldwide."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-figures-reveal-fco-assisted-over-19000-brits-last-year

Thailand is a VERY violent place. Despite a lot of retirees, odd's of 2,400/1 that you could die while in Thailand are not good IMO.

[kieran2698]

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.

It's a maximum of 1 year in prison and or a maximum fine of 10,000 Baht for small amounts, up to 10kg is a maximum of 5 years and or a maximum fine of 50,000 Baht. The police settling the matter on the street is not extortion, you may feel they are extorting someone by asking for a bribe higher than the maximum fine but they are also offering them to not go to court, not to go to prison and not to be deported, so this is bribery. The difference between the two is that bribery has a clear benefit on offer to the one being bribed whereas in extortion there is nothing being offered but a threat. The other scenario you mentioned would be extortion as the offer of a court case is a legal right that is being denied.

[NomadJoe]

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.

Paying cash directly to the officers in order to avoid arrest is the definition of blackmail and is what jaidam is referring to. This is very, very common in Thailand, not just with tourists.

[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?

I'll go with current reports on the BBC rather than barstool theory thx

Police still want to speak to a British man who was with the victims on Sunday evening, but the man is probably not a "major suspect",

"They simply want to question him because they believe he was with David Miller and Hannah Witheridge as part of their group and then left early [on Monday] morning,"

So who said flee apart from the papers and you ? was he a personal friend or just a travelling friend ? is it possible this friend left the Island on the first and only boat out like many do for other reasons than to flee as you put it ? Is it possible this friend dosnt even know about the murders yet ?

I dont know and im 100% sure you dont..... I do know however if this friend needs to be found he will be when he tries to cross a border. They know who he is and have his passport flagged,. being a farang with probably limited cash funds they can have his banking blocked and or withdrawals and purchases tracked etc etc and you can bet the UK is already on that.Chances are its just as likely he had someplace other to be as a traveller and got the early boat, which is totally normal on Kho Tao, either way hes not going far whatever.

As for your interrogation quip, m8 that is one of the most stupid suggestions ive heard here so far.... way to go

Well let's wait for the outcome, and see who's right - before you call me stupid!

[lingyai]

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.

Thailand totally failed these two people? What was the they gov't supposed to do to prevent this? Sometimes random horrible crimes happen. Sometime people who kill others don't have any criminal history whatsoever. If the gov't failed some how then by all means blame them but as of now there is no evidence the gov't failed these two people.

As foreign suspects, well if a Brit that was with their group left that same day then yes it is not surprising the police want to talk to him. The Burmese worker were drinking nearby to the murder so it makes sense to question them.

If a Thai/s person killed these two then the Thai will be arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment or death.

In 2006 British woman was raped and killed. The police found the suspects who were Thai and arrested them. Thaksin wanted them hanged.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4608324.stm

Thais will not protect suspect just because he is Thai in this case.

Edited September 16, 2014 by lingyai

[PS2]

From a UK govt report from 2013. Among the 'Key Findings' was this little gem.

"Thailand has seen a significant increase in hospitalisations (31%) and deaths (31%), despite fewer cases worldwide."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-figures-reveal-fco-assisted-over-19000-brits-last-year

Thailand is a VERY violent place. Despite a lot of retirees, odd's of 2,400/1 that you could die while in Thailand are not good IMO.

How about avoiding the combination alcohol, viagra and a 40 year younger female.

How about wearing a helmet while driving a motorbike.

How about getting a motorbike driving license first.

3 dead in three last years in violent crimes.

[webfact]

Junta Tells Police To Hasten Investigation of Koh Tao Murder
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Chairman of the Thailand’s military junta and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered authorities to urgently speed up the investigation into the recent murder of two British tourists in southern Thailand.

The pair was found dead yesterday with "gruesome" wounds to the head on the popular island of Koh Tao, a well-known destination for foreign tourists and divers.

"I have been following this matter very closely," Gen. Prayuth told reporters as he arrived at Government House this morning. "We also have to look into the behaviour of the other side."

He continued, "This case should not have happened in Thailand at all. I think it will affect foreign opinion of our country. I have urged all relevant authorities [to speed up investigation]."

Thai authorities have come under increasing pressure to apprehend the perpetrator and uncover a motive behind the grisly murder. Police have been conducting door-to-door searches on the island but are yet to name any official suspects.

Gen. Pravit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, said he instructed police to urgently solve the case, as it greatly affects the Kingdom's tourism industry.

He also said police have been sealing off ferry piers on Koh Tao to prevent potential suspects from fleeing the island, although reports from the region indicate that the ferries are running normally.

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, refused to comment on the murder.

"I will brief you later," she said as she arrived for a Cabinet meeting at Government House.

Since staging a coup against the elected government on 22 May, the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has projected a “tough-on-crime” image as part of its campaign to clean up corruption and extortionate practices across the country.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1410855233


-- Khaosod English 2014-09-16

[lingyai]

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.

A USED CONDOM as evidence in a rape and murder case? My, what a considerate rapist! Give me a break...

The condom could have come from the couple and not the murder/possible rapist