Koh Tao murders - Six migrant workers freed but Briton still asked to stay on

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Six migrant workers freed but Briton still asked to stay on



BANGKOK: -- Surat Thani police freed six Myanmar workers from custody after DNA tests released by the Institute of Forensic Medicines did not match any of them.

Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong , chief of the Koh Phangan police station, said that the police have freed all the suspected migrant workers and now have to restart investigation from the beginning.

He said the police have its goal in mind to restart the investigation which he declined to elaborate.

The DNA test also did not match the British friend, Christopher Ware, who shared the same room with the slain tourist David Miller, 24, at Ocean View bungalow where Hannah Witheridge, 23 and friends also stayed during their visit to the island.

But the police asked him to remain in the country pending more investigation.

Earlier Christopher Ware, 24, from Jersey, has been asked by Thai police to stay on the holiday island of Koh Tao while they carried out a DNA test to eliminate him from the case.

Doctors have also been asked to determine whether cuts on Chris Ware’s hands are old wounds or fresh cuts.

Chris was on holiday with his brother James and the pair met up with friend David Miller in Thailand.

However Chris was put in custody after he arrived and stayed on Khao Sarn road in Bangkok for questioning and DNA test.

Meanwhile advisor to the Royal Thai Police commissioner, Pol Gen Charumporn Suranaree said the relatives of the two victims have arrived in Bangkok and would meet him this morning.

They will travel to Surat Thani late today, he said.

He also made clear that David’s friend Christopher Ware could now return home as the Thai police have no authority or could not stop him because he is now not a suspect, but merely a witness.

However if investigation later implicated that he is involved, then the Thai police could seek cooperation from the British police to detain him for questioning.

In another development, Eighth Region police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen this morning instructed the police investigators to now expand suspected targets to cover Thai fishermen in the island, and also a man who was captured by a CCTV camera near the place.

He said the police still could not locate him yet, adding that the renewed investigation could mean the police would explore the entire island to hunt down the killer or killers.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/six-migrant-workers-freed-briton-still-asked-stay/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-18

[Thailand]

A PR nightmare!

[EricBerg]

"He said the police have its goal in mind to restart the investigation which he declined to elaborate."

"The DNA test also did not match the British friend, Christopher Ware,"... "But the police asked him to remain in the country pending more investigation."

The goal being arresting a farang murderer, in spite of a failing DNA match? As stated before a Thai never could commit a crime like that. After all income from tourism must be protected.

[CiaranO]

A PR nightmare!

yes - agreed - caused by themselves and the inability of the police ti keep their mouths shut.

[siampolee]

The R.T.P. actions and comment's bring to mind the situation below.

Sad to say though ''the whole situation is indeed a tragedy of police ineptitude and cover ups, nothing more nothing less.''

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o9oz9X5i9w

[waynethor]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

[wdr]

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

The Royal Thai Police already told "NO THAI CAN DO THIS" and herewith no need to take a DNA from untouchable Thai!

You don't belief it? So we're in the same line.

[IamNoone88]

British or otherwise, spare them no quarter.

[NeverSure]

I still suspect this was a gang rape. Reports said there was semen in two of the woman's cavities and one of the man's.

Surely by now they now how many different DNA profiles there are in those 3 samples?

A Thai tool was the murder weapon?

Someone drowned or tried to drown the man before he was hacked?

[webfact]

Thailand murders: Still no suspects identified

(BBC) Police in Thailand say they have still not identified any suspects in the murder of two British tourists.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao on Monday.

Police said there was no evidence linking two friends of Mr Miller, brothers Christopher and James Ware, to the murder.

However the men are being asked to stay in Thailand to help with the inquiry.

Indication of struggle

Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29249129


-- BBC 2014-09-18

[daoyai]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

I think they have other evidence on the farang, maybe he knows something or just wasn't the donor? The Burmese were probably picked up with no cause, ...as one officer said in the latest update....." they would now explore the entire island to find the killer or killers..". <deleted> ?

[sweatalot]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

pleasant surprise that the result of the DNA test has not been swept under the carpet. Maybe next they will doubt it is correct5?

[Jack Mountain]

Maybe i missed it but i haven't seen any report yet which makes clear the semen they've found belonged to the male victim or not ...

Edit: Seen the BBC entry now (entry #11).

[markwhite]

Maybe i missed it but i haven't seen any report yet which makes clear the semen they've found belonged to the male victim or not ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29249129

"Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends."

[Thai at Heart]

Maybe i missed it but i haven't seen any report yet which makes clear the semen they've found belonged to the male victim or not ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29249129

"Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends."

Didn't the stupid pathologist conclude yesterday that there was no semen present and that she had had intercourse but hadn't been raped.

What the hell are these people up to. That was pulled from a daily telegraph report I put up. So either the pathologist lied, or someone else did. Why can't they get their stories in a row?

[halloween]

"He said the police have its goal in mind to restart the investigation which he declined to elaborate."

"The DNA test also did not match the British friend, Christopher Ware,"... "But the police asked him to remain in the country pending more investigation."

The goal being arresting a farang murderer, in spite of a failing DNA match? As stated before a Thai never could commit a crime like that. After all income from tourism must be protected.

"He also made clear that David’s friend Christopher Ware could now return home as the Thai police have no authority or could not stop him because he is now not a suspect, but merely a witness."

Comprehension problems or agenda?

[waynethor]

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

The Royal Thai Police already told "NO THAI CAN DO THIS" and herewith no need to take a DNA from untouchable Thai!

You don't belief it? So we're in the same line.

There's been so many report about these murders that I missed that little gem.

There are many situations in Thailand where Thais have murdered another Thai in cold blood over something so trivial as singing a karaoke song when Somchai wanted to sing it first or because somebody was dancing "arrogantly" (Check it out. It's true) so how could people who are so in control of their emotions possibly do it, right? Is there a contest going on with the Thai police to see who can say the most absurd thing?

[NeverSure]

Thailand murders: Still no suspects identified

(BBC) Police in Thailand say they have still not identified any suspects in the murder of two British tourists.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao on Monday.

Police said there was no evidence linking two friends of Mr Miller, brothers Christopher and James Ware, to the murder.

However the men are being asked to stay in Thailand to help with the inquiry.

Indication of struggle

Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29249129

-- BBC 2014-09-18

"Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends.

Police said blood stains had been found on the clothes of some of the 11 Burmese migrants who were being questioned.

Post-mortem examinations showed Ms Witheridge died from head wounds and Mr Miller from severe blows to the head and drowning.

Police said Mr Miller also suffered wounds on his hands, which indicated a struggle had taken place."

[waynethor]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

I think they have other evidence on the farang, maybe he knows something or just wasn't the donor? The Burmese were probably picked up with no cause, ...as one officer said in the latest update....." they would now explore the entire island to find the killer or killers..". <deleted> ?

Can you tell us why you think that? And what do you mean "or just wasn't the donor"?

I'm not trying to lock horns here, I'm just curious of your sources. It's not the typically mindless gossip of the village locals, I hope. If you are starting to buy into the great number of negative rumors and speculation about farang that flow freely from many Thais mouths, perhaps it's time to move. 555

[JOC]

The OP is as clear as 4 or 5 other threads running on the same subject. Clear as mud!!

Absolutely nothing new, just bait for all the conspiracy posters here!

[thesetat2013]

"He said the police have its goal in mind to restart the investigation which he declined to elaborate."

"The DNA test also did not match the British friend, Christopher Ware,"... "But the police asked him to remain in the country pending more investigation."

The goal being arresting a farang murderer, in spite of a failing DNA match? As stated before a Thai never could commit a crime like that. After all income from tourism must be protected.

Seriously! From day 1 they have insisted a foreigner commited this henious crime. Now they are back to square one starting over. A crime like this needs to be solved quickly since the longer it takes the harder it becomes to prove and the easier it is for the perp to have alibis and dispose of any evidence. Yet the polices own vanity that a Thai could never do this has caused them to waste their time looking at only foreigners.

Its bad enough their evidence is almost nill. It is also a shame the leader tried to make a point that it was the foreigners to blame citing their actions prior to their deaths.

Their own inability to determine even the time of death now that they announced they shipped the bodies frozen before the autopsy.

This case probably will never get solved. If they do pin it on someone then the evidence will never be enough to convict them.

Is it a well planned cover up?

The way things are looking its conveniently beginning to look this way.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tonbridgebrit]

It's a good thing that DNA can be used as evidence to convict AND clear people.

Back in the olden days, or the good old days, when they didn't even know what DNA was, well, I think they could have picked anybody who looked likely enough to have done it, and, hey presto, Bob's your uncle, we've got him.

And it would have happened anywhere on planet earth.

[waynethor]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

pleasant surprise that the result of the DNA test has not been swept under the carpet. Maybe next they will doubt it is correct5?

Yes, but for how long? Judging by the way the General's doing things and the shockingly ridiculous things he says, I expect to hear about a new law where DNA evidence is only admissible in criminal matters if is to be used to absolve a Thai from charges. "Sorry, we can't examine your DNA to clear you of suspicion, Mr. Farang. The General has disallowed it."

[thesetat2013]

Maybe i missed it but i haven't seen any report yet which makes clear the semen they've found belonged to the male victim or not ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29249129

"Forensic tests carried out on Ms Witheridge's body revealed traces of semen from two different men, neither of which matched DNA from Mr Miller or his two friends."

Technology exists to determine the origin of the DNA asian or caucasian. It can even narrow that down to a continent of origin. Why have they not determined this yet?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[halloween]

Technology exists to determine the origin of the DNA asian or caucasian. It can even narrow that down to a continent of origin. Why have they not determined this yet?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I have refuted this claim on other threads. Rather than some sales pitch, can you show a link to any police force anywhere that has stated they are seeking a certain race type based on DNA evidence alone.

[wellred]

The OP is as clear as 4 or 5 other threads running on the same subject. Clear as mud!!

Absolutely nothing new, just bait for all the conspiracy posters here!

Well that's not really true. We now know the 2 Brits didn't do it but are staying on to help out. The article also said the search will be expanded to Thai fisherman. I'm sure someone from Scotland Yard will want to get involved and determine the ethnicity from the DNA samples found.

[Tomtomtom69]

How is it that a DNA mismatch involving the Burmese workers releases them from any suspicion and clears them to walk away free from further investigation, but the same situation doesn't allow the British guy to also walk away?

Maybe the police were so hopeful that they could pin it on farang, and when the DNA evidence doesn't match they are just finding that fact hard to take and can't easily let their best chance of proving a Thai didn't it slip away. Have they actually questioned or taken DNA from any Thais yet?

Burmese aren't Thais. I don't think there is any cover-up to release Burmese in favour of implicating a Briton. Maybe the evidence just didn't match. The Thais certainly don't view the Burmese favorably, and should a poor, lowly migrant worker end up being implicated, it will make far less impact than if a Briton ends up being found guilty of the crime. No one will care about a Burmese murderer, who will be quietly imprisoned for life or even executed (although naturally everyone will still be outraged and scared, while the Thais will be able to pick out a scapegoat and say "hey look, we told you these Burmese are up to no good"), whereas a Briton would make major headlines back home and internationally, even though it's not unheard of for fellow travellers to murder each other. Just think of the case of the American exchange student accused of murdering a British? guy in Italy a few years ago.

[Expat Girl]

I would love to get involved in these debates, but i have no idea what is going on now, information overload

[wellred]

Technology exists to determine the origin of the DNA asian or caucasian. It can even narrow that down to a continent of origin. Why have they not determined this yet?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I have refuted this claim on other threads. Rather than some sales pitch, can you show a link to any police force anywhere that has stated they are seeking a certain race type based on DNA evidence alone.

Do yourself a favour and google Autosomal DNA.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130624135126AABjD92

[Sena Dave]

Two peoples DNA found from that poor girl , It doesn't bear thinking about that 1 person could do this randomly , but at least 2 people is scary. How could that possibly just happen "Off the cuff" so to speak. Those kids last moments must have been horrifying . I hope they hang the shits when the find them