Thai islanders offer reward for clues on Brit tourist killers

BANGKOK, September 19, 2014 (AFP) - Residents on the Thai island where two British tourists were brutally murdered have pooled their funds into a reward for clues about the killers, an official said Friday, as police hunted for fresh leads.

The search for suspects continued on the southern diving island of Koh Tao after David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found naked and beaten to death near a beachside bungalow early Monday.

The police investigation appeared to have stalled after post-mortem examinations of the victims' bodies in Bangkok failed to find DNA links to key suspects questioned so far.

"At this point we offer 50,000 baht ($1,500) for anyone who can provide clues which lead to the arrest of a suspect," Koh Tao mayor Chaiyan Turasakul told AFP. "The money comes from donations from the people of Koh Tao."

The murders have rocked the normally laid-back island and landed a new blow to Thailand's image as a tourist haven, battered by months of political protests that ended in May's army coup.

Several dozen Koh Tao residents held a religious ceremony to offer prayers for the dead on Thursday, Chaiyan said, with many more assisting police in the search.

On Friday regional police commander Panya Maman said around 160 officers were hunting for clues on the small island, which neighbours the more-visited Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.

"I have deployed police in nearby islands as well as on the mainland," he said.

With no arrests and an apparent lack of new leads, it is unclear where the police investigation can turn.

Earlier this week comments by Thailand's military ruler Prayut Chan-O-Cha, suggesting tourists in bikinis could be more vulnerable to attack, triggered an international outcry, leading the premier to apologise.

"They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere," Prayut said in off-the-cuff remarks to government officials, two days after the murder of the British pair.

But "can they be safe in bikinis... unless they are not beautiful?"

On Thursday, in a rare public moment of contrition from the army chief, Prayut said he was "sorry" his remarks hurt people.

According to an official source, Prayut will Friday send letters to the British prime minister and the families of the two victims offering his condolences over the deaths and explaining his recent comments.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-09-19

I suspect some ' locals ' have a few ideas but is 50,000 Baht enough ?

Make a million and then maybe, just maybe some people will think it is worth speaking out. 50k with a chance of upsetting someone influential ain't going to be enough.

Keystone Kops should be replaced by local vigilantes.

I suspect some ' locals ' have a few ideas but is 50,000 Baht enough ?

Yes for a poor Cambodian/Laos worker it is.

TVF sent me two emails today -- the first said "The killers will be found" a quote from some government spokesperson, then the second email said "Police running out of ideas on killers."

Amazing Thailand.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Maybe because the offender is one of their relatives ??

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Perhaps that question answers itself.

How about 50,000 baht and a British Passport? Be well worth it.

Name the wrong name, and a new identity in a different country may be in order.

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Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Maybe because the offender is one of their relatives ??

BOOM!

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

On Friday regional police commander Panya Maman said around 160 officers were hunting for clues on the small island......

Disturbing of course every schred of evidence or clue .....

I suspect some ' locals ' have a few ideas but is 50,000 Baht enough ?

Yes for a poor Cambodian/Laos worker it is.

Most of them are really poor... but, i suspect, not completely stupid.

Too too late. The culprets are already long gone.

This is just another ROYAL TP <deleted> up.

I understand that for many of the locals 50´000 Baht is a lot, but it sounds rather ridiculous for us.

Maybe TAT could spare a few millions of their huge budget which is squandered for so many useless projects/purposes?

The PM lost the chance to showing off......The islanders gave him a lesson. Good for them!

If the criminals were a gang of poor laborers, and just a witness or "confident" still on the island....this move may work....Wll see.

If the criminal was a lone individual.....and already is out of the island.....already is out of the country too.....

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

Maybe you should read a little about Koh Tao. A collection of families making enormous sums of money from tourism. Now your little island paradise is the subject of terrible news around the world. So aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do, would I pony up a large reward to protect my interests? Yes.

The government should be slamming 2 million baht down on the table shown all over national TV someone will talk then.

The government should be slamming 2 million baht down on the table shown all over national TV someone will talk then.

Agree. If the major Koh Tao business owners (mafia) won't do it, then Dear Leader should.

The government should be slamming 2 million baht down on the table shown all over national TV someone will talk then.

Agree. If the major Koh Tao business owners (mafia) won't do it, then Dear Leader should.

Send in quietly a Few SAS guys from UK to meet and greet the locals at AC bar if the Thais don't sort them out-

Quietly Take care of business and square things up….

A vulgar flame post has been removed as well the reply posts containing that quoted post.

Are you <deleted> serious? Another c-unt without a conscience!

Simple question. If it happened in your suburb, town, village, whatever, would you put up a reward? I don't think you would. And if you did, why would you? Are you taking responsibility for the attack? Do you feel guilt? Do you have a guilty conscience... as you so elegantly put it? Do you want others to perceive a different side of you? Why would they offer a reward? Normally that is the domain of the state. So you can go shag yourself too you dimwit... I'm sorry if my perceptions seem to be a little too deep for you, I will try to keep it in simplistic terms for you.

OK, I'll play.

Firstly, as a human WITH a moral compass, yes I would want to make a difference and If my money could, then absolutely. Why would I? Well, simply because some evil bastard has murdered two young innocent people and they need to be caught ASAP!

Secondly, 'why would they offer a reward'? Because of the above? Because they give a shit when visitors to their island are slaughtered and raped? Because it will adversely affect their business? Because they have a family of their own and feel the devastation? Because their country has been shamed? Should I go on?

As for wanting others to perceive a different side: no idea what you are talking about there? I wouldn't give a toss what others think tbh! Last thing on my mind.

Oh, and dude, there is no depth in you at all so don't worry about that! I get you completely!

Yeah yeah "if I won the lottery and had billions of dollars I'd do this and that"... if you feel so strongly about it surely there is more you could do? Why don't you raise money amongst your family and friends to help bring the villains to justice. Or setup a petition? Bet you have already! You are foolish, because you interpreted my comments in a way that you think I don't give a $hit, and I do... I just have doubts about this type of bounty. Then you turn it into an idiotic slogging match...

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

Maybe you should read a little about Koh Tao. A collection of families making enormous sums of money from tourism. Now your little island paradise is the subject of terrible news around the world. So aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do, would I pony up a large reward to protect my interests? Yes.

Mojorison . . . Although we disagree on some aspects of what may or may not be happening on Kho Tao right now, you seem to have some knowledge that contributes to the debate--which is a worthwhile discussion of Thailand culture, farangs in Thailand, etc. despite the fact that we are all speculating regarding the murder at this point.

But you should at least be consistent in your arguments.

On another thread you said this:

"The local owners, whilst capable of doing bad things and getting away with "murder"... this is not the type of crime that we are talking about. They generally don't hang out in their own bars getting high and bludgeoning and raping customers. I know these people, the bar and resort owners, and they are far removed from the slime that work in their bars and resorts. Regarding getting away with crime, this is exactly the kind of case where justice will need to have been seen.... from a local and international standpoint."

The strong implication I take from these statements is that you believe the local land and business owners do really want the culprit caught, even if the murderer(s) are Thai.

If this is true, then of course the local business and landowners should be interested in putting up a substantial reward, because they as you say have a lot to gain (rather than to lose, as I believe--assuming the murderer is Thai) from the killer's capture.

And no, it is not the sole domain of the state to post a reward. It is very common for someone close to a victim or with a vested interest to put up a reward.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

Maybe you should read a little about Koh Tao. A collection of families making enormous sums of money from tourism. Now your little island paradise is the subject of terrible news around the world. So aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do, would I pony up a large reward to protect my interests? Yes.

Yeah, and 50,000 is on the money right? It is a token. It is not even one quarter of the bar take on a good night. What is wrong with you people, can you really be so naive?

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

If I were a powerful local family with multiple tourist dependent business interests ? oh yea you bet I would be offering millions, its a business investment as much as anything else.

Its good business to protect your business.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

Maybe you should read a little about Koh Tao. A collection of families making enormous sums of money from tourism. Now your little island paradise is the subject of terrible news around the world. So aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do, would I pony up a large reward to protect my interests? Yes.

Mojorison . . . Although we disagree on some aspects of what may or may not be happening on Kho Tao right now, you seem to have some knowledge that contributes to the debate--which is a worthwhile discussion of Thailand culture, farangs in Thailand, etc. despite the fact that we are all speculating regarding the murder at this point.

But you should at least be consistent in your arguments.

On another thread you said this:

"The local owners, whilst capable of doing bad things and getting away with "murder"... this is not the type of crime that we are talking about. They generally don't hang out in their own bars getting high and bludgeoning and raping customers. I know these people, the bar and resort owners, and they are far removed from the slime that work in their bars and resorts. Regarding getting away with crime, this is exactly the kind of case where justice will need to have been seen.... from a local and international standpoint."

The strong implication I take from these statements is that you believe the local land and business owners do really want the culprit caught, even if the murderer(s) are Thai.

If this is true, then of course the local business and landowners should be interested in putting up a substantial reward, because they as you say have a lot to gain (rather than to lose, as I believe--assuming the murderer is Thai) from the killer's capture.

And no, it is not the sole domain of the state to post a reward. It is very common for someone close to a victim or with a vested interest to put up a reward.

What I wrote there is in line with my views. I support Thais often through thick and Thin... but I know what this "reward" is... it is a token of regret. Almost like Tum Boon. It is not going to be the definitive part of the puzzle that nabs the killers. It is a gesture by someone who feels that there is an expectation on them to take some ownership, show some sorrow, help get the baddies, help get their business back in line.It is purely token, and to call it otherwise is wrong. Add a zero or 2 then it is real. And does offering it help, or does it cloud the situation even further? I'm just asking the questions.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

If I were a powerful local family with multiple tourist dependent business interests ? oh yea you bet I would be offering millions, its a business investment as much as anything else.

Its good business to protect your business.

Millions maybe... 50 thousand?? Token.

Why aren't the powerful local families offering up millions in reward money? 50,000 Baht is an insult.

Why should they? Would you?

Maybe you should read a little about Koh Tao. A collection of families making enormous sums of money from tourism. Now your little island paradise is the subject of terrible news around the world. So aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do, would I pony up a large reward to protect my interests? Yes.

Yeah, and 50,000 is on the money right? It is a token. It is not even one quarter of the bar take on a good night. What is wrong with you people, can you really be so naive?

Mojorison ... that's exactly everybody's point---50,000 baht is not the right amount of money, not even close. And if the rich land and business owners really wanted the murderer(s) to be caught, they'd not only be posting a huge reward themselves, they'd be ordering every one of their employees and relatives and friends to go speak to the police general who came from BKK and provide DNA samples. Now that would give people some confidence that they are not protecting anybody.

And yes, like you said in another comment, it does seem more like a merit offering than a real reward ... which could even have been suggested by monks. The reward, like the prayer ceremony at the beach, could actually have two purposes--neither of which is to catch the killer. One is to make merit without actually doing anything, since the reward is too small to make someone risk their life by giving info. The other is to give appearances to the outside world that the mayor is trying to help find the killer, again with no risk the tiny reward will actually make that happen.

Another interesting cultural point is the prayer ceremony. I accept at face value the good intentions of the locals praying for the souls of the two victims, which we all do, and their sadness and shock at the murders. But they were also for certain trying to propitiate the "ghosts" that most of them (probably all) believe will be bringing bad luck to the island. Again, this is not a judgment, it is just a fact of Thai culture and mentality.

dare i say its all about economics otherwise this reward wouldn't be offered