Southern police chief: Enough evidence in British tourists' murder case to make arrest now

[Rykbanlor]

Hopefully this will stop the embarrassing belly-aching by fellow-members about the competence of the Thai Police. The arrogance and lack of respect for Thailand has been very apparent in these baseless assertions. Why on earth would anyone expect the Thai Police to be as skilled and resourced as the FBI or London's MET. These comments serve no real purpose other than to damage the reputation of foreign visitors to this great and welcoming country. Go away if you can't hack it.

Most of my Thai friends hold the same scathing opinion of the Thai Police force. It's common knowledge that they have their hands in every dirty pie you could imagine, take bribes, harass and extort people for money. Nobodys asking them to be as advanced as the FBI or the MET, but the Thai Police have set the bar for corruption and misconduct extremely high, so people are gonna hate!

[slygeeza]

Imagine you're the owner of AC BAR, or IN TOUCH.

Some pedophile from scotland comes and accuses you of murder from Facebook.

What would you do?

Make him hang himself to make it look like suicide as a part of framing him for the murder they have committed?

Well I would seriously beat the hell out of him If I was innocent and he tried to frame me for murder. You cannot accuse someone of murder without having decent evidence., it is slander, and has very serious consequences. And you gotta take a look at the character of the guy who's making the accusation, he's a convicted pedophile.

Why did the take the FB posts down if he was sure that they were the murderers, If I had witnessed the murder, or was damn sure that they were murderers, nothing in the world would make me take down those posts.

yeah sure, we get that your a legend in your own head but your boring as hell

[Iumentum]

Imagine you're the owner of AC BAR, or IN TOUCH.

Some pedophile from scotland comes and accuses you of murder from Facebook.

What would you do?

Make him hang himself to make it look like suicide as a part of framing him for the murder they have committed?

Well I would seriously beat the hell out of him If I was innocent and he tried to frame me for murder. You cannot accuse someone of murder without having decent evidence., it is slander, and has very serious consequences. And you gotta take a look at the character of the guy who's making the accusation, he's a convicted pedophile.

Why did the take the FB posts down if he was sure that they were the murderers, If I had witnessed the murder, or was damn sure that they were murderers, nothing in the world would make me take down those posts.

Well, i am not sure if you didn't really get my comment or not.

Like i stated before, i don't know much about the childporn case, beside that he admitted. For all i know is that me might have had photo of a 17 year old girl he thought was 19. But no matter what, then whatever that case has to do about, doesn't fully discredit Sean. The incident at the bar/7-11 should be a part as the investigation, because that could and maybe actually did lead to new suspects in this case. I thought this case was about finding the right murders, and not about flaming people who might actually be able to help the investigation.

Me hight actually have been asked by the authorities, media or whatever to take down those FB posts for his own good.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Iumentum

[Triplebank999]

I have been following this with great interest for the last week , is anyone able to confirm that the man on the left of SM 's 7/11 picture

is the same man seen hanging around with the police at the crime scene on day one ?

And , is there any truth in the statement that two men in SM's 7/11 picture refused to be DNA tested .

Refusing a DNA test doesn't indicate guilt.

Would you want the bib to have a sample of your dna?

It certainly doesn't indicate innocence either.

[Chutney]

That sean guy was full of BS, the expats living in koh tao said the information he gave is not factual and that he is a glory hunter. Bunch of guys who've never been to koh tao believe what he's saying. From his posts I can see he doesn't give a damn about his friends murder, 9 out 10 of his posts are about the scottish referendum.

There has to be a motive for murder, usually people who murder and rape are ones who got nothing to lose, why would someone who has a thriving business on the island murder and rape a girl. That sean guy should be put behind bars for slander IMHO.

Quite a few things in this case, does make it seem like Sean wasn't just making everything up. A lot does actually appear to be that Sean was right about some things, and could easily also be that the whole bar/7-11 incident is true and that he was about to be used as scapegoat which he would have been the perfect victim of.

Your point doesn't make sense either, DNA retrieved in the crime scene confirmed it was an Asian, why would they find a western scapegoat?

We've already been through all that ad infinitum. If you want to join in a thread it helps to read through first. Also check the relevant thread on here specifically about Sean Mcanna and you'll find your answers.

From the start the local police were harping on about 3 guitar playing singers on the beach ( supposedly) at that time of the FB Sean Mcanna media explosion some minor Burmese man and boat boy Thai were being held and questioned. If they were fitted for the rape and took that wrap and the surmise was they were with SM if he were found hanged in 'remorse' it could be said they raped and HE murdered. Because 1 dead flaky beach bum guitar playing farang + 2 disposable low Asians posessed of Asian DNA = 3 men making music on the beach.Case closed and a case of Chivas all round.We've all had to swallow far more unbelievable 'explanations' for crimes/deaths in LOS.

[schondie]

That sean guy was full of BS, the expats living in koh tao said the information he gave is not factual and that he is a glory hunter. Bunch of guys who've never been to koh tao believe what he's saying. From his posts I can see he doesn't give a damn about his friends murder, 9 out 10 of his posts are about the scottish referendum.

There has to be a motive for murder, usually people who murder and rape are ones who got nothing to lose, why would someone who has a thriving business on the island murder and rape a girl. That sean guy should be put behind bars for slander IMHO.

Quite a few things in this case, does make it seem like Sean wasn't just making everything up. A lot does actually appear to be that Sean was right about some things, and could easily also be that the whole bar/7-11 incident is true and that he was about to be used as scapegoat which he would have been the perfect victim of.

Your point doesn't make sense either, DNA retrieved in the crime scene confirmed it was an Asian, why would they find a western scapegoat?

That's one of the reasons for my scepticism about Sean McAnna's story. Obviously the ones who committed this crime were aware that the police could match DNA from the victims to the perps so why try and fit up a westerner? Even if they have never heard of DNA, I'm sure the guilty party would be more than curious of how this could trap them.

The way the RTP work may be slightly different to what westerners are used to but I believe the the military wouldn't allow a snow job in this case.

It's all very confusing with reports of who's been arrested or released but I think the guilty parties will face justice. I hope this will bring a crumb of comfort to the families of these poor youngsters.

[SamuiAxe]

The southern police chief also assured the public that there was no arrest of scapegoats in this murder case as it now is a focal attention of the world.

Now, if I read this correctly then he says in a way that if the worlds eye was not on this case they would have brought scapegoats into play? Or is my understanding of English inadequate?

[phanangpete]

Well anyhow ,great news, although the Chief admits that they are not using scapegoats in this case ,as it was too highly profiled.

Does that mean we have in some locations hundreds of murderers walking amongst us, this would lead me to believe so, i mentioned in a previous post about a thai tatooist, who served only two yrs for murder of a German girl and has moved to Phuket a month ago, anyhow thats for another forum.

The Army, we have been told are heading for the islands after Pattaya, not before time.

I think were the police see the 'mafia' as part of life here, the Army will be looking at it rather differently, well they will have to, if they are to make any progress in the clean up.

[Lukecan]

And its purely a coincidence that someone with a child porn conviction in his homeland is vacationing in thailand.

[JohnTrove]

Investigators Tuesday interrogated Montriwat Toovichien, a 45-year-old bartender at AC Bar on Koh Tao

There's a facebook profile Intouch Kohtao Toovichien. So theToovichien family own that too?

This is a simple case of the press reporting the wrong venue and the wrong job. Mon is not a bartender at AC he runs In Touch

[MJP]

Well anyhow ,great news, although the Chief admits that they are not using scapegoats in this case ,as it was too highly profiled.

Does that mean we have in some locations hundreds of murderers walking amongst us, this would lead me to believe so, i mentioned in a previous post about a thai tatooist, who served only two yrs for murder of a German girl and has moved to Phuket a month ago, anyhow thats for another forum.

The Army, we have been told are heading for the islands after Pattaya, not before time.

I think were the police see the 'mafia' as part of life here, the Army will be looking at it rather differently, well they will have to, if they are to make any progress in the clean up.

Terrifying isn't it?

[coma]

What is everybody getting on their high horses for. It is seriously immpossible to take ANYTHING away from this report. It seems to have been filed by a 1st year journalist student studying his 2nd year English major whilst out on the sauce in Patpong or some other seedy location. Please !!!

[transam]

The southern police chief also assured the public that there was no arrest of scapegoats in this murder case as it now is a focal attention of the world.

Now, if I read this correctly then he says in a way that if the worlds eye was not on this case they would have brought scapegoats into play? Or is my understanding of English inadequate?

You can draw your own conclusion BUT, translation can be way off at times in LOS......

[Fat Haggis]

Imagine you're the owner of AC BAR, or IN TOUCH.

Some pedophile from scotland comes and accuses you of murder from Facebook.

What would you do?

Make him hang himself to make it look like suicide as a part of framing him for the murder they have committed?

Well I would seriously beat the hell out of him If I was innocent and he tried to frame me for murder. You cannot accuse someone of murder without having decent evidence., it is slander, and has very serious consequences. And you gotta take a look at the character of the guy who's making the accusation, he's a convicted pedophile.

Why did the take the FB posts down if he was sure that they were the murderers, If I had witnessed the murder, or was damn sure that they were murderers, nothing in the world would make me take down those posts.

How about the British Embassy? He was advised to take them down...and you have a reading comprehension issue, he never said they were the killers, he said they "knew" who done it, and stated that IF he was to meet an untimely death, then the ones in the photo he posted would be responsible..

You would seriously beat the hell out of someone who accused you of something you may or may not have been guilty of? You are aware that's actually classed as an assault.. man, you are one incredibly naeive and unbalanced individual, and you have the brass neck to talk shyt about McAnna??

[5times]

My verdict is that Sean has got considerably larger balls than LukeCan who for someone who claims to know everything.. Did nothing! Sit sown Luke

[JohnTrove]

Hoping these deaths can create some future positive outcomes for Thailand - something positive has to come out of all this.

[almafudd]

I have been following this with great interest for the last week , is anyone able to confirm that the man on the left of SM 's 7/11 picture

is the same man seen hanging around with the police at the crime scene on day one ?

And , is there any truth in the statement that two men in SM's 7/11 picture refused to be DNA tested .

Refusing a DNA test doesn't indicate guilt.

Would you want the bib to have a sample of your dna?

It certainly doesn't indicate innocence either.

I think it's called civil liberty

[murphya33]

I feel a huge sense of relief that an arrest has been made for this dispicable crime. Maybe finally the police bashing will stop on this thread. It took British police over 6 YEARS to finally arrest Peter Sutcliff (the Yorkshire ripper ) in 1981. Thai police got a result in little over a week. The arrest of the other suspects is imminent. Good job guys.

[Oziex1]

Well I hope it is over now. hate trivialise but with hundreds of police involved its going to be one hell of a group photo with the accused.

[pjmansions]

This village chief should lose his position this cctv footage has been everywhere and he is trying to say he did not recognise his own brother

clean these position up they are only in power because of intimidation and people are afraid of being killed if they run against them in elections

[lensta]

The village headman is also the owner of a bar there, he can keep his bar open all night long why because he's the village chief.

Is that the AC bar that was mentioned in certain FB posts that were taken down? Anyone know who owns/runs the AC bar?

The village chief owns AC bar.

And the name of the village chief, his brother and son is???

[penoirz]

Investigators Tuesday interrogated Montriwat Toovichien, a 45-year-old bartender at AC Bar on Koh Tao

There's a facebook profile Intouch Kohtao Toovichien. So theToovichien family own that too?

This is a simple case of the press reporting the wrong venue and the wrong job. Mon is not a bartender at AC he runs In Touch

Ah okay, thanks. Misinformed press, conflicting reports, what's new I guess..

[Straight8]

The news is certainly great. I hope the suspect who is hiding in Bangkok is caught before he leaves the country. Anyway I still believe there are more than two people involved. It would have taken at least two Asian guys to overcome David and at the same time someone had to keep an eye on Hannah unless she was completely paralyzed by fear or whatever.

Exactly my thought. I said this to a friend the other day that there would have to be at least 3 or 4 of them.

We;ll see

[The manic]

Not Thai then - Mon. Not Mafia but people of influence - The headman and his family.

[JoeLing]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Posted 13 minutes ago

webfact, on 16 Sept 2014 - 08:55, said:

CRIME

Koh Tao 'sealed off' after two tourists brutally killed

THE NATION, AFP

Gruesome murders of British pair on island paradise shock locals and visitors

BANGKOK: -- POLICE have sealed off the resort island of Koh Tao off Surat Thani province to hunt down killers who brutally murdered a British couple and possibly raped the woman on Sunday night. The 24-year-old victims have been identified as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....itish-tourists/

this person in the black t shirt looks the same person put on the facebook pages and another newspaper we cant quote . this is dated 16 sept 14

StealthEnergiser You are correct!

Thailand was not at all serious about arresting any Thai citizens connected to this. It was the brave heart "Sean McAnna" who posted the Facebook 7-11 shop picture while hiding in the shop for this life gave a proper message and attention to the world. Now Thailand is forced to take action on own citizens now. The next step will be, they will appoint a lousy Thai lawyer who don't show any interest to convict or prove, and accused will deny going for DNA test. Then later they will announce there is not enough evidence to prove until and unless of Scotland Yoad, or FBI rope in for investigation or until if most countries give warning as Thailand bad destination for holidays. Let us hope the two young British youths will justice from Thailand.

If this guy is actually guilty, cops who let him near the crime area should be investigated as well....

Can't do. I'm sure that would open up a whole new can of worms.

[mrtoad]

Well I hope it is over now. hate trivialise but with hundreds of police involved its going to be one hell of a group photo with the accused.

Yep

[Thai at Heart]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

and expressed confidence they will be arrested and charged within this week, he added.

Why not today??

Wouldn't want them to get the wind up and abscond.

Yes, exactly - the whole point is you just do it, you don't make vacuous pronouncements of intent.

Thailand does so many things so very well, sadly policing and the application of the rule of law are not amongst them.

Now there's a challenging statement. What does Thailand do well.

[coffeeman]

these kids are gonna hang for this!

[transam]

I feel a huge sense of relief that an arrest has been made for this dispicable crime. Maybe finally the police bashing will stop on this thread. It took British police over 6 YEARS to finally arrest Peter Sutcliff (the Yorkshire ripper ) in 1981. Thai police got a result in little over a week. The arrest of the other suspects is imminent. Good job guys.

Hey, PRESSURE from here, abroad, and from many avenues got "sensible" police-work moving.

Thats it...........

[Fat Haggis]

Imagine you're the owner of AC BAR, or IN TOUCH, a person with decent reputation on the Island.

Some pedophile from scotland comes and accuses you of murder from Facebook.

What would you do?

That is your exact problem, you imagine too much, can you please tell us what if any connections you have to Thailand? I would haphazard a guess that you're probably between the ages of 18-25 as well, and wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you've never been to Thailand, let alone Koh Tao, and that the closest you've been to Thailand, is eating a Thai Green Curry!!

How would you know from a hypothethetical point of view that a Scotsman who walks into your bar, was a sex offender?