Terrified Briton flees Koh Tao after 'mafia' death threat

[harp73]

Sean McAnna story doesn't add up.

He could kill out of jealousy; that's just my theory.

A theory that has already been debunked days ago with the DNA samples confirming asian suspects. But don't let that put you off, Colombo.

Are we to presume that everyone who was / is involved left DNA? -

[Franky Bear]

Sean McAnna story doesn't add up.

He could kill out of jealousy; that's just my theory.

A theory that has already been debunked days ago with the DNA samples confirming asian suspects. But don't let that put you off, Colombo.

Are we to presume that everyone who was / is involved left DNA? -

You can't go into an empty room with out lkeaving DNA

[GOLDBUGGY]

Well........?

Me Thinks that I won't be going their for my next vacation.

[sweatalot]

Wow, there are a lot of cynics on this thread. To think that the people who live on Koh Tao want anything less than justice for the killers of these two people is mind-blowing. Keep in mind, we LIVE here and can't stand the thought that there are people living amongst who are capable of such an atrocity. We want these people caught for the families of the victims, for our own safety, and to a much lesser degree because we have built lives and businesses here and we will undoubtedly suffer from the negative attention.

All of the speculation and the actual reporting of this story in the media has been terribly insensitive and counter-productive. The owner of the resort was one of the first on the scene because he owns a business adjacent to it. Reports that he hasn't submitted a DNA test are false. He was one of the first to be tested.

Talk of a mafia-run island is also incorrect. Some of our local business people have more influence than others because they have more land, money, family interests, etc. These are the people that get elected into government on Koh Tao as well as in many other places in the world. We don't have any history of tourist murders on the island. Drugs are not as prevalent here as they are in many other places in Thailand, and all of the Full Moon party references apply to Koh Phangan, not Koh Tao.

Sean McAnna has not been here working as a barman for 18 months here. In fact, he only recently arrived. He spent some time here in the past and wasn't able to maintain employment anywhere for long on the island. He has been all over the place with his views of what happened. His first post since the tragedy occurred (since removed) was of how sad he was and that he was supposed to meet David Miller on the night of the murders, but he fell asleep in his bungalow. Now he somehow seems to have witnessed the killings and can ID the killers. And if he did witness the murders, why is he only just now speaking up? We have had literally hundreds of mainland police combing this island for a week. If he felt uncomfortable speaking about it because he feared for what would happen to him if he did, why not leave the island and contact the British Embassy who could then keep him safe while he spoke with police in Bangkok or even at home in the UK? Instead, he drunkenly walked into AC Bar at night, alone and made accusations against the owner. And why would he post such garbage on Facebook instead of speaking to the authorities? These are just a few of the reasons that we question his mental state. He seems to be quite illogical in his actions and more than a little bit disturbed. Hopefully, he gets the help he needs and the authorities will get back to searching for the killers...

I'm sure many other people would feel the same as the bar owner if they had been accused of these heinous crimes by a person without any proof.

All the people on here who feel he has been brave and found the culprits are clutching at straws in the same manner as Sean. Regardless of how well connected, influential or powerful he or his family are I'm sure the police would have charged him by now as the country's reputation needs a boost.

Do you really think the present government would allow the police to let someone else take the blame and see the case collapse in court in front of the world's media? I think not as the fall guys would have been charged by now. You can bet the military's breathing down the necks of the police to make sure this awful crime gets solved properly.

"I'm sure many other people would feel the same as the bar owner if they had been accused of these heinous crimes by a person without any proof."

in particular when the bar owner knows he is guilty

I am not saying that he is guilty, I just don't know - but can you be sure he is not?

[GOLDBUGGY]

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I think the OP is BS, he's trying to capitalize on the misfortune of others.

Look, if the local mafia would wanted him dead, so it would have been, there wouldn't have been the in depth conversations described in the OP, it's nonsense.

You are right about that.

But these days, any 3 guys who hang around together and bully other people, everyone calls them the Mafia. I witnessed that in Poland in the early days as well.

When it is the Mafia, you wouldn't know that, as they have much less talk and much action.

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Britons' Murder: Police Chief Dismisses Koh Tao 'Mafia' Allegation

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK —Thailand’s new police chief has brushed off media reports that there is "mafia" network on the resort island in Southern Thailand where two British tourists were murdered last week.

David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found bludgeoned to death on Koh Tao on the early morning of 15 September.

Police have yet to arrest any suspects as none of the DNA samples taken from more than 30 people in the past week have matched the DNA traces found on Ms. Witheridge’s body.

According to a number of journalists on the island, locals say they are wary about speaking openly about the case for fear of reprisal from powerful island families that “run the show.”

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1411463212


-- Khaosod English 2014-09-23

[Fat Haggis]

The Daily Mirror stated that there is a "lot more story" here but so far they have not put anything further out. Either they are still developing it or there are some problems with it.

I'd put my money on the latter. Yesterday it sounded plausible but as more information has trickled out it looks like Sean has been a very silly boy.

What information would that be?

In the initial reports Sean only stated that the local mafia chased him without elaborating that he had gone into a bar and drunkenly accused the bar owner of rape and murder without a shred of proof. Later all his posts or accounts are deleted. It must have been the local mafia that forced him to delete those.

Things just don't add up with his timeline of events or accusations.

Where are these reports that he walked into the bar and accused the owner of rape mate? Is that speculation or have other "witnesses" come forwards to refute his claims?

His posts and accounts were deleted at the request of the FCO/Embassy/Media outlets I believe, again where is the reports about all of this?

I'm not saying they're untrue, but it's a well known fact that there was a confrontation in that club that night, this was reported VERY early on, but was dismissed by the BiB at first, as they were so determined that it had to have been a Farang that was guilt.

If McAnna has fabricated any part of his nightmare, then I'm sure the investigative journalists will be doing their part to refute all his allegations..

For sure there's things that don't add up, but that's been this case from HOUR 1, DAY 1..

[Chang_paarp]

BANGKOK —Thailand’s new police chief has brushed off media reports that there is "mafia" network on the resort island in Southern Thailand where two British tourists were murdered last week.

He must have a different definition of "Mafia" to the rest of Thailand.

[Leila30]

To all the 'experts' who have lived on the island or are still living on the island - who claim to know who the 'Big Families' are, are: Why don't you share your intimate knowledge with everyone? What are their names? Who are the crazy rich kids?

Who are the Bar owners? Who are the corrupt police?

Leave the island and tell all. If you are already in another country - tell us.

Here on this site? The press? The Thai Military? The Police?

So many people have already said that they know what goes on there because they have lived there.

But, - no one talks. Interesting. Yet you accuse the Thais of not talking.

If this is all supposed 'common knowledge', - then time to speak up!

Just druggies and misfits scum in Bangkok rotting with pet hatreds.

I am the first to be harsh on Thai authorities in their investigations

But rumours don't help ...if anything cause distractions .

The island is known for full moon functions that entail mind altering drugs.

It's not helpful here.

And though Yes most certainly powerful families exist the question begs ?

Who?

Really , someone?...,, nope ?

Just conjecture ?

And if this false lead goes no where who will be to blame?

Some smart arsed kid who sits limp wristed in a freezer ripped on drugs ?

Seriously , this is not cool.

It's pathetic that rat bags have used social media in this way and the whole criminal investigation pushed into an even bigger zero

I don't think there's ever been a full moon party on Koh Tao. There are however boats from Koh Tao to Koh Phagnan for the full moon parties. It's another island entirely though. Koh Tao is known for chillaxing and diving, and somewhere to go to chill after some time partying on Phagnan.

Put it this way, after the FMP on KPG, some 80% of the total tourists go onward to Koh Tao... there the partying continues. (Koh Tao is about 25sq km, KPG is about 250 sq km... receiving similar numbers of tourists, think about the logistics of that for one second...) Koh Tao tried for a long time to maintain the "leave only footprints and bubbles" routine, but alas the dark forces have introduced a full on party culture there too. I know this, because we are now getting many customers coming from Koh Tao, looking for relaxation on Koh Phangan, complaining of "too much noise and partying" on Koh Tao (and being thoroughly disappointed and surprised)... oh the irony. Especially on the Sairee stretch. It is well known to be loud 24 hours a day. doof doof doof. Now you can ignore the reality of this, or you could address it. On KPG now, we are choosing to address these issues, rather than putting the proverbial head in the sand.

Oh you are so wrong. Yes there is partying, but no it is nothing like KPG. Nothing. Not even close. Not even on Songkran on Sairee does it come close. Even on the beach stretch on Sairee you can find quiet accommodation.

[GOLDBUGGY]

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I just wish we could influence other TV members & holidaymakers to boycott this hellish place.

No Need!

After all this world news coverage that part will take care of itself.

A long time ago during the High Season, there was some terrorists who attached a Tourist Bus full of Germans in Egypt, and many were killed. I was in Cairo about 2 weeks later. I never seen a place so dead. I was lie a Ghost Town for Tourist. I went into a Nightclub that was normally busy on the weekend and in which it seats at least 400 people and there were 5 couple in this huge place, including myself.

People will soon stop going there on their own as killing tourist is always bad for business.

[Plutojames88]

Although probably unrelated to the murder case, Sean has a darker side to him too:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/revealed-scot-who-fled-thai-4306609

Child porn seems to certainly tarnish him.

Lets see how he goes at the trial with evidence .

He may still have questions to answer about all this.

Dark side indeed .

[Fat Haggis]

He's not the one going on trial, so why the need to bring it up? I'm sure there's lots of skeletons in peoples closets here, but it's not about them, or their past.

If he was instrumental in bringing a swift response from the cops and making arrests, then instead of crucifying the bloke, cut him some slack, as the cops were as stale as a 4 week old sausage roll!!

It wasn't till the MacAnna incident that things suddenly started happening, and to an extent and degree, falling into place.

Fingers were pointed at the AC bar right from the get go, but you've had the apologists here lambasting everyone who isn't a long term dinosaur who had zero life before they came out to Thailand and even less now... and I hope they have the Cojones to admit they were wrong, but hell will freeze over first!!!

[iReason]

"Thailand’s new police chief has brushed off media reports that there is "mafia" network on the resort island"

Ludicrous.

Disingenuous at best.

And speaks a lot about change/reform.

Oxford Dictionary:

• (usu. mafia) any organized group using extortion and other criminal methods.

• (usu. mafia) a closed group of people in a particular field, having a controlling influence.

Naa, nothing like that going on...

Ok world press, how about an expose on this subject?

[Franky Bear]

People that have been charge with child related offences should ALWAYS be outted!!!

Stop making excuses for him....

[sepi69]

" A TERRIFIED British backpacker fled Koh Tao yesterday claiming he was going to be killed by the “Thai mafia.”

Sean McAnna, 25, a friend of murdered David Miller, insisted local “gangsters” wanted him dead. "

MAFIA and GANGSTERS ??

[ParadiseLost]

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I just wish we could influence other TV members & holidaymakers to boycott this hellish place.

No Need!

After all this world news coverage that part will take care of itself.

A long time ago during the High Season, there was some terrorists who attached a Tourist Bus full of Germans in Egypt, and many were killed. I was in Cairo about 2 weeks later. I never seen a place so dead. I was lie a Ghost Town for Tourist. I went into a Nightclub that was normally busy on the weekend and in which it seats at least 400 people and there were 5 couple in this huge place, including myself.

People will soon stop going there on their own as killing tourist is always bad for business.

Yeah, like the deserted island of Bali. I think their bombing episode was a lot worse, but tourists are back.

This is a horrible crime, but it was most likely random and is the only such crime recorded in a decade - hardly deserving of such spite.

[PaPiPuPePo]

One thing that seems to permeate this whole episode is drugs. Everyone knows these islands and the parties are a haven for drug users. It is known throughout the world that you can travel there and take drugs. The Thais and Thai police like it as they are cashing in on it.

I think it is high time for this new government to put an end to all these full moon parties and the drug scene and let normal people enjoy these places again.

It was only a matter of time for something like this to happen. Shut it down.

Look at Vang Vieng in Laos. That place got out of hand and they shut that down too and good on them. Too many peoples kids are coming here and not coming home.

Thailand doesn't need a bunch of drugged up and drunk kids dancing around until the dawn.

Definitely yaba is a problem everywhere, but the #1 most abused and most-dangerous drug because of its ubiquity is alcohol. It's also far and away the world's #1 date-rape drug.

[Lukecan]

how do you know it was child porn,

maybe it was his girlfriend who was 17

whatever the lad did back in Scotland has no relevance to his recent actions at Koh Tao. The lad is a Thai national hero, single handedly bringing down a local mafia syndicate and catching the 2 murderers. That he did this against a constant stream of character assassinations from farang business owners on Koh Tao is significant, and shameful. He well deserves his 700k reward, but in light of how facebook helped save hs life and catch the 2 connected murderers, he might want to share his reward with Mark Zuckerburg.

How do you know the people arrested were the guys he accused? As far as I know the guys in the picture had been dna tested already. His story doesn't add up, why would the thai mafia try to frame him when the dna retrieved belongs to an asian. And he is a pedophile, no need to twist words.

[schondie]

Instead of bickering on this thread about who was right or wrong, it's better to move onto this thread;

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762739-southern-police-chief-enough-evidence-in-british-tourists-murder-case-to-make-arrest-now

[MJP]

Oh no he's a dirty fiddler!

So what's the crack now? I can't keep up with all this.

[DiamondKing]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

You be the judge.

and 50 seconds in 2 thai men approach the driver of the taxi, 1 seemed to have an iron bar over his shoulder........did they just miss him?

that interview seemed as genuine as all the girls outside bars telling me they love me. if i had to hide in a supermarket in fear of my life i wouldnt be filmed walking to a ferry with a £30 guitar under my arm and hugging people goodbye.........id be on anything that floats (including the guitar) with nothing more than a passport and out of there.

give it a rest now, they have arrested one person and are looking for the other...

And its my guess it will be the same 2 guys this scot photographed and who threatened to kill him

[Fat Haggis]

People that have been charge with child related offences should ALWAYS be outted!!!

Stop making excuses for him....

Nobody's making excuses for him, but his criminal past has no bearing on the case here has it?

I have the same tolerance for kiddie fiddlers like most fathers with kids has, but I have the same zero tolerance for &lt;deleted&gt; as well!!

[mrtoad]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

You be the judge.

and 50 seconds in 2 thai men approach the driver of the taxi, 1 seemed to have an iron bar over his shoulder........did they just miss him?

that interview seemed as genuine as all the girls outside bars telling me they love me. if i had to hide in a supermarket in fear of my life i wouldnt be filmed walking to a ferry with a £30 guitar under my arm and hugging people goodbye.........id be on anything that floats (including the guitar) with nothing more than a passport and out of there.

give it a rest now, they have arrested one person and are looking for the other...

And its my guess it will be the same 2 guys this scot photographed and who threatened to kill him

Maybe not, one is suspected of being BIB according to a certain blog site

[MJP]

^^Did I not say "Are the local police being DNA tested?"

I believe I did.

[Franky Bear]

People that have been charge with child related offences should ALWAYS be outted!!!

Stop making excuses for him....

Nobody's making excuses for him, but his criminal past has no bearing on the case here has it?

I have the same tolerance for kiddie fiddlers like most fathers with kids has, but I have the same zero tolerance for <deleted> as well!!

Yes it does. What if he was a convicted killer with a major criminal background? Would that be taken into account?

People like this scumbag have warped minds, so each and every step of the day night for eternity, this swines background should be taken into account when it comes to sex offences.

I bet i'm not the only expat who said, "Oh &lt;deleted&gt;" when we found out he's a pedo (doin't bother trying to tell me he's not a pedo, he obviously finds children sexually attractive so the hat fits) as yet again it shines a light on Thailand and it's attraction to scumbag pedos like this person

[umbanda]

Make sense to think that some island's people wants the investigation to be closed, to avoid encounters with the Police and problems with its "business". Island "mafia", will do anything to show the "criminals" dead or alive...and unfortunately..they may "creates" them.

I believe that he is telling the truth. He cannot be so stupid to invent histories. He knows that, If the investigation doesn't ends soon and successfully, the Interpol will intervene and he will be questioned and polygraphed.

[harp73]

So the two guys in the beach photos - are brothers...

[CantSpell]

BANGKOK —Thailand’s new police chief has brushed off media reports that there is "mafia" network on the resort island in Southern Thailand where two British tourists were murdered last week.

He must have a different definition of "Mafia" to the rest of Thailand.

Yes, he meant Italian mafia....

Definitely no Italian mafia in Koh Tao, the "influential locals" would not allow it

[harp73]

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-tourist-murder-suspect-now-arrested-another-run/

[joedot]

So what ! If the killers are caught on information he gave then best of luck to him. At least he had the balls to speak out when no one else did. And i hope they dont forget his reward and I for one would buy his book.

He didn't have the balls to speak out. He was afraid for his life and was trying to protect his ass. Now that he is far away he is silent and going about his life not saying another word. And deleting all the info from his facebook page. Doesn't strike me as some honorable guy trying desperately to help solve the crime. Simply self preservation. I'm not saying this info may not prove helpful in solving the case. But there is no need to defend this guy. Seems like a piece of trash to me