Thai PM questions if 'tourists in bikinis' safe after Koh Tao murders

[webfact]

Thai PM questions if 'tourists in bikinis' safe after murders
by Anusak KONGLANG

BANGKOK, September 17, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's military ruler on Wednesday questioned whether tourists in bikinis are safe in the kingdom, in comments following the murder of two Britons whose battered bodies were found on a Thai island.

David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found dead on the southern island of Koh Tao on Monday, sparking a hunt for their killers. Post-mortem examinations were carried out on Wednesday after the bodies were brought to Bangkok.

But authorities are yet to make an arrest despite questioning several suspects including two British men -- who are believed to have travelled with Miller -- and a number of Myanmar migrant workers.

"There are always problems with tourist safety. They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is also the army chief, told government officials.

But "can they be safe in bikinis... unless they are not beautiful?" he said, addressing the issue of tourist safety in a speech broadcast live on television.

Prayut, who seized power from elected government in a May 22 coup, is well known for making off-the-cuff remarks.

His statement appeared to echo others made to reporters on Tuesday in which he questioned the behaviour of the murder victims as well as the perpetrators.

Thailand is desperate to avoid further damage to the nation's lucrative tourism industry, which has been battered in recent months after a prolonged political crisis ended in a coup.

The army swiftly declared a curfew and strict martial law after coming to power in May, frightening off some visitors.

-- DNA breakthrough? --

Forensic investigators are awaiting the results of DNA tests on a blonde hair found in the Witheridge's hand and traces of semen, according to the findings of a post-mortem examination carried out on Wednesday.

"The results are expected within 24 hours so everything will become clear tomorrow (Thursday)," forensic police chief Pornchai Sutheerakhun, told reporters after the autopsy.

"The female victim suffered cuts to her head... while the male was beaten on the head... but water found in his lungs suggests he may have died from drowning," he said, adding cuts on Miller's hands showed signs of a struggle.

The wounds were inflicted by "a sharp, hard object... and (they were) hit hard with a rock," he added.

A bloodied garden hoe was also found near the crime scene.

Earlier Wednesday a provincial police commander said an unidentified Asian man captured by security cameras on the night of killings was being treated as their "prime suspect". But he later toned down his remarks.

"Every group (person) is still under suspicion" he told AFP, including two British travellers who were stopped at the capital's main airport late Tuesday.

The two men in their 20s have been asked to remain in Bangkok until the case is resolved.

Thai police have pinned hopes on DNA results yielding a breakthrough in the three-day investigation.

But conflicting details over the focus of the police inquiry, released by different figures in a force which rarely centralises its information, have created a confused picture.

Prayut on Tuesday urged investigators to conclude the cases "swiftly" and raised concern over the impact on the country's image.

With the start of the tourist high season just two months away, the junta had vowed to restore the nation's reputation as the "Land of

Smiles", embarking on a clean-up of resorts after a series of complaints about scams, assaults and even police extortion.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-09-17

[SirBser]

No murders if no bikinis.... Hmm

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[rubl]

General Prayuth is only a bit more than a year older than I am, but at times he sounds like my father.

[ThailandNoob]

This is disgusting. Putting any part of the blame for a rape onto the victim for how she dresses is the kind of logic to be expected from the Taliban or Saudi Arabia. My opinion of Prayuth has just sunk even lower.

Maybe it is time for Thailand to have a slutwalk.

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Prbkk]

General Prayuth, there MIGHT be a time for those reflections/observations. However, now is the time for expressing regret/sympathy/horror rather than some lame, half-arsed "blame the victim" approach. Not nice.

[TommyDee]

without doubt a tragedy but , to be fair, in a convoluted way, he may not be that far off the truth, as the facts and test result are due out very soon.

[96tehtarp]

The general needs an official spokesman to save the nation from his off-the-cuff comments, which if continued will damage the county's reputation.

[gemini81]

you have to protect yourself, there is no guaranteed safety anywhere whether speedos or a jacket.. Some places may be safer than others, along with atmosphere, which might have more to do with it than merely because of beach swimwear. Jeez.

[Fred Flinstone]

Reading between the lines he "again" seems to be saying Victims attire and /or conduct invite the consequences , which seems to sit well with this mans agenda.

He previously wanted to remove Sin from Pattaya and seems to be active in playing the "sinful" Farang card.

After all lets consider his position.

He is a dictator who ceased power , already rewrites history books , claims a ""certain Unspoken person" coined the phrase "you don't give a man a fish but give him a rod and instruction etc"

Has a propaganda show that seems to encourage Xenophobic points of view.

This whole situation is in many Thai minds vindicating his believes and certainly his opinions.

Whilst Fawning his concerns for tourist safety .

But however , seriously pushing them away by comments.

Eventually , after the dust settles his Junta power base will be more isolated and thus the Thai "'us and them "" mentality easier sold.

Brilliant !

[Tatsujin]

Someone needs to learn the art of tact and diplomacy and not blaming everyone else for problems of their own making.

My respect for the Gen is falling rapidly.

[webfact]

Autopsy shows British tourists died from blows
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 17 -- The two British tourists whose bodies were found on a beach in southern Thailand earlier this week died from hard objects hitting their heads.

DNA tests are expected to be known tomorrow, Pol Maj Gen Dr Pornchai Sutheerakun, commander of Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine, said today.

Dr Pornchai said 24-year-old David Miller died after being hit on his head while water was also found in his lungs.

Medical examiners initially believed the victim was thrown into the sea after being hit by the hard object.

Bruises were also found on the back of the victim’s hands and on his back, and it is believed that they were caused while attempting to protect himself before he died, he said.

Regarding 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, Dr Pornchai said she was struck hard by a sharp object on her head. Semen was found in both her anal and vaginal cavities

Police medical examiners are checking strands of blonde hair in her right hand and were to conduct DNA tests to compare with that of the suspects whom police had interrogated earlier, he said.

Dr Pornchai said he expected results of DNA tests on the two victims would be known by Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, officials from the British embassy in Bangkok had contacted Institute officials, informing them the embassy wished to take possession of their bodies for funeral rites.

In another development, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda told journalists that Thai officials were putting every effort into finding the murderer.

Gen Anupong said he would order the Surat Thani governor at a meeting tomorrow to help speed up the investigation.

The bodies of the two British tourists were found Monday on a beach of Ko Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand and off the southern province of Surat Thani. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-17

[hgma]

The PM is a General,which in fact explains his explanation about the 'bikini tourists'

Another world in this time and age!!

[rubl]

General Prayuth, there MIGHT be a time for those reflections/observations. However, now is the time for expressing regret/sympathy/horror rather than some lame, half-arsed "blame the victim" approach. Not nice.

He isn't really a politician, now is he ?

[NongKhaiKid]

Are domestic tourists safe then ?

Do these people ever think before they speak ?

[rubl]

Reading between the lines he "again" seems to be saying Victims attire and /or conduct invite the consequences , which seems to sit well with this mans agenda.

He previously wanted to remove Sin from Pattaya and seems to be active in playing the "sinful" Farang card.

After all lets consider his position.

He is a dictator who ceased power , already rewrites history books , claims a ""certain Unspoken person" coined the phrase "you don't give a man a fish but give him a rod and instruction etc"

Has a propaganda show that seems to encourage Xenophobic points of view.

This whole situation is in many Thai minds vindicating his believes and certainly his opinions.

Whilst Fawning his concerns for tourist safety .

But however , seriously pushing them away by comments.

Eventually , after the dust settles his Junta power base will be more isolated and thus the Thai "'us and them "" mentality easier sold.

Brilliant !

Oh come on, try to keep your bias against the junta at bay.

What we have here is a somewhat conservative man expressing his opinion which since he's PM he shouldn't. As politician he still has much to learn.

BTW it would seem that in many more countries some conservative people would like to improve society and bring bring back the 'good' morals of the past. No, I'm not only referring to Muslim Countries either.

[lildragon]

So this is Thailand's savior? A guy with morals and standards from the 1930's....

Has he even sent condolences to the families yet?

[Somtamnication]

Crickey, here come the "wear a hijab" laws!

[Bluespunk]

"Thailand is desperate to avoid further damage to the nation's lucrative tourism industry"

Says it all really.

[96tehtarp]

I'd really like to see the general put on one of those ridiculous 120 baht "sonkran" style Hawaiian shirts, and a pair of Speedos. Then I'd like to see him head down to Koh Tao alone, unannounced (all by himself), without an escort, and attend the next full moon party on Koh Tao. From (The OP) these and other recent statements it appears his military life has given him a rather obtuse outlook.

He could hang out with some young Brits and get some perspective on what's what, and what's not.

[fstarbkk]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Obama doesn't open his mouth unless a teleprompter is nearby!

Very unfortunate sound-bite from a good man who undoubtedly has the best of intentions.

[carstenp]

This statement reminds me about a case in krabi . Rape for holding hand and eat together

[laolover88]

Lots of murders are there in Pattaya and Nana Go-Go bars? There must be a quote, but I can't find it, which goes along the lines: "There is no man on earth who knows when to shut up"

Oh I have found it: Woody Allen!! "God is silent" "Now if only man would shut up"

[alocacoc]

Just another attempt to blame the victims. Thais have a lot to learn.

[Nickymaster]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Obama doesn't open his mouth unless a teleprompter is nearby!

Very unfortunate sound-bite from a good man who undoubtedly has the best of intentions.

Correct!

[fstarbkk]

General Prayuth, there MIGHT be a time for those reflections/observations. However, now is the time for expressing regret/sympathy/horror rather than some lame, half-arsed "blame the victim" approach. Not nice.

He isn't really a politician, now is he ?

Don't get me wrong, I admire and applaud what he is trying to do for the country. BUT, how does being the prime minister not make him a politician?

[Thai at Heart]

This is going to go down a bundle with the press.

Maybe they should issue burkas for the tourists at the airport. Someone please shut this numpty up. Obviously they were asking for it, because they were wearing swimming costumes on a beach. Obviously, the reason why red light districts have naked girls swinging around poles in doors is for their own safety.

So, by this numptys' definition, tourists should not expect to come to Thailand and where standard beach uniform for fear of their own safety.

[rubl]

Mods, now we can say whatever we want about the army and Khun Prayuth?

Within reason, without malice or program I assume the answer would be 'yes'.

Now that surely leaves enough wriggling space to politely suggest that the general seems to have opinions similar to many Thais. Lots of them seem to frown upon public display of female flesh. Even a boob on Songkhran is a no-no, Nok Air's new year calendar studied intensily, things like that.

[ThailandNoob]

What we have here is a somewhat conservative man expressing his opinion which since he's PM he shouldn't. As politician he still has much to learn.

Then maybe he shouldn't have become PM, or at least not done so until he could get qualified enough for the job to be able to get elected by the Thai people.

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[trainman34014]

The general needs an official spokesman to save the nation from his off-the-cuff comments, which if continued will damage the county's reputation.

It's a bit too late; this country's 'reputation' and ' image' has been through the shredder more times than i can remember and facts have to be faced, most Western tourists come to Thailand for the sandy beaches sold to them by the travel agencies who give them brochures and show them pictures of people on said beaches wearing bikini's et al. The 'other' type of tourist needs no brochure and knows exactly where he will find his fun.

Ask ten people in just about any Western country what Thailand is known for and half will say the beaches and the other half will say sex. The Thai's do not really have any idea whatsoever how their country is viewed from the outside and for the most part couldn't care a less. Looking for sympathy from the General for the victims family's is a waste of time as we all know that all Thai's will push responsibility onto anyone other than accept it themselves, even for the smallest mistake or wrong doing.

[Nickymaster]

The red apologists will love this 'un!!

Isn't it simply amazing that even a brutal murder of British Holiday makers can be spun into this red/yellow shirt drivel!!

The General needs to go and do a PR course as he's not doing himself, or the image of Thailand with his comments, I suppose you are in complete agreement with him seeing as you've offered an opinion as to whether he was right or not?

You will be amazed how many Thai people like him for being straightforward. He might not a good diplomat but he isn't sneaky neither. And I haven't heard him say that often that people should go to the relevant authorize for answers.

Again, let the Thai people decide whether or not he has good intentions.