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

[3NUMBAS]

i am betting it will be another festering case like the chiang mai guesthouse murder case going on for years without any outcome or arrests or trial

[Iumentum]

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.

Also, motive for raping? Well would drunk and horny count? Motive for murder? would rape count?

[aTomsLife]

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.

Yet in the wake of his report, a couple of very influential Koh Tao residents had meetings with the police, and now there is one suspect in custody and another on the run.

Moreover, the guy gave up his life here and placed himself in a position where it might not ever be safe for him to come back.

You don't have to believe him yet, but to dismiss him outright in the meantime is plain wrong, in my humble opinion.

[JonnyF]

Here's hoping they don't just pin this on some poor guys to save Thailand's face!

If they were going to pin it on someone, I doubt they'd choose relatives of the village headman. Plenty of Burmese on the island if they needed a patsy...

[Eagle60]

People on here make me laugh NOT.

If the cops had screwed it up they would be all over them. If the cops do it right they are all over them.

People (TV members with brain cells) there is no difference between this case and a case in the western"civilized" world.

If a wealthy or well to do family is involved before the police can do anything they have to have a case that is air tight and has no means of the person getting away with it.

Therefore the [police may have known for a long time who was involved but had to go through the motions to get as much info without tipping off the Headman so that he was not concerned about running interference.

Think about all the cases in the US UK involving wealthy people.

It will be interesting to see who gets arrested for aiding and abetting and also if Martial (military) Law rules are invoked.

I could not agree more. Well said.

[Plutojames88]

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 after the murder 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.

Well , they are running with the story .

No mention in Thai media about his child porn conviction .

Trial might place light on matters

[Lukecan]

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?

[Fat Haggis]

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 after the murder 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.

nice troll, it's odd that quite a few expats who lived on the Island said it's a dark and seedy place, but there's some there now that say the opposite and that there's NO mafia, now, are you living in Koh Tao or have been there to be able to make similar judgements, or are you simply jumping on the denial isn't just a river in Egypt bus??

[beowolf2012]

they also can make some DNA test on the police officers on the island.

If they want to do this then they make them self innocent if they not want to do it then they make them self suspicious....

[Loles]

OK, OK but <deleted> are they waiting NOW ?

[churchill]

'Jonathan Head ‏@pakhead 10m

Arrests may come soon after DNA tests completed. Question is - if suspects r from AC bar family why were they not questioned & tested b4?'

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

One tourist murder suspect now arrested, another on the run

KOH TAO: -- The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are still hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok.

Eighth Region Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen identified the first suspect as Mon.

He is the brother of a village headman in Koh Tao.

He was arrested after evidence which police collected were examined and proved he was involved, he said.

He also said another suspect is also a son of that village headman. But he has already to Bangkok.

He said both suspects were captured by CCTV cameras and the police have gathered enough evidence to implicate them in the murders.

He said the southern police were coordinating with the metropolitan police to hunt him down, and expected to apprehend him today.

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.

He also dismissed any suggestion of local mafias or influential people that could twist the investigation with promise that local influence would pose no obstacle to the police investigation.

Instead the police will eliminate all these mafias, he said.

Meanwhile a police source said the police are also looking into the cooperation of those who helped to arrange the suspect to escape. They also will be arrested.

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

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-23

Congratulations!

'The police will eliminate all these mafia'....hmmmm....well the biggest mafia is the police itself, so maybe he wants to eliminate the police force?

[sweatalot]

Great success , well done and what a relief if this turns out to be true.

As painful as it certainly must have been for the families of the victims, it was 100 % the media attention that achieved the desired results.

The police chief admitted it himself (probably not even realising what he was saying) , that had it not been for the worlwide publicity,

some poor sucker would have taken the rap.

Now the world needs to continue monitoring the trial, and most importantly, the length of the sentence.

"Now the world needs to continue monitoring the trial, and most importantly, the length of the sentence."

Absolutely !

Until now being caught did not mean doing their jail time (Red Bull heir - disgusting)

[Iumentum]

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?

Influent people can make many things happen. It's also said that there was at least 2 men involved, so that wouldn't exclude Sean now would it?

[peecee]

One tourist murder suspect now arrested, another on the run

KOH TAO: -- The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are still hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok.

Eighth Region Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen identified the first suspect as Mon.

He is the brother of a village headman in Koh Tao.

He was arrested after evidence which police collected were examined and proved he was involved, he said.

He also said another suspect is also a son of that village headman. But he has already to Bangkok.

He said both suspects were captured by CCTV cameras and the police have gathered enough evidence to implicate them in the murders.

He said the southern police were coordinating with the metropolitan police to hunt him down, and expected to apprehend him today.

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.

He also dismissed any suggestion of local mafias or influential people that could twist the investigation with promise that local influence would pose no obstacle to the police investigation.

Instead the police will eliminate all these mafias, he said.

Meanwhile a police source said the police are also looking into the cooperation of those who helped to arrange the suspect to escape. They also will be arrested.

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

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-23

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.

so it takes the attention of the worlds media to stop the police fitting up scapegoats?

Yes, sadly it actually does. And it seems that with the media attention on this case, we will finally see the real murders being brought to justice. This is a very rare but good moment for Thailand. Now we just need convictions and the responsible being put in prison. That also will require media attention and pressure to happen. But good to see that there is finally some kind of end to this.

Prison; no way, it's gotta be the needle!

[bendywire]

Well said that man

[northernjohn]

"If there are mafias"

The police denying there even are mafias on Koh Tao is a sure sign this is a cover up. Have they even bothered questioning the ones in the bar brawl or the ones chasing the remaining witness? This is a joke.

Forgive me. I have never been to Koh Tao. I live in Chiang Mai. We have Mafias here also tuck tuck Mafias and songthaew ones. No jet sky mafias as we are not on a beach. I know in Bangkok they have taxi mafias and motorbike mafias.

What kind of mafias do they have on Koh Tao?

[Lukecan]

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.

Yet in the wake of his report, a couple of very influential Koh Tao residents had meetings with the police, and now there is one suspect in custody and another on the run.

Moreover, the guy gave up his life here and placed himself in a position where it might not ever be safe for him to come back.

You don't have to believe him yet, but to dismiss him outright in the meantime is plain wrong, in my humble opinion.

Why would they try to frame a western guy when the DNA retrieved in the crime scene belongs to an Asian. Why would they threaten to hang him instead of going on with it immediately. If these guys are the influential mafia, how did he run away from them in such a small island, you seriously think "mafia" can't take him out of 7/11?

It is BS, the expats living in Koh TAO confirmed it.

[richusa]

They believe that any foreigners murdered will be reincarnated into an angel.

Thats the Thainess way.....

Every time I come here, I stay shorter and spend way less...Hit Thailand in the pocketbook....let these 2 headed monsters suffer a bit.

[Sueemily]

I really hope that they are right,but why not get them first do their DNA then charge them if it all fits.

There's no point in saying we know who it is,arrest them,do the DNA and the find a negative result.

As for a pm on the two victims I really hope the families get one done in the uk also check for anymore DNA on thm.

The uk is far more advanced in DNA than Thailand and in case anything goes wrong with this last quote from the BIB then the uk police still have a full DNA profile of the murderers.

Believe me if the BIB could have made a scapegoat then they would have ,it's only DNA that saved some poor immigrant from taking the blame,it's all about saving face never mind getting the right guy.

And there is usually some one high up the social scale involved,must not upset those with the money....

[Always18]

I distinctly remember the original police chief in this case saying that they didn't need to investigate Thais as Thais would not have committed these terrible crimes.....................so, it looks like it can't be these suspects after all...............!

[aTomsLife]

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.

Yet in the wake of his report, a couple of very influential Koh Tao residents had meetings with the police, and now there is one suspect in custody and another on the run.

Moreover, the guy gave up his life here and placed himself in a position where it might not ever be safe for him to come back.

You don't have to believe him yet, but to dismiss him outright in the meantime is plain wrong, in my humble opinion.

Why would they try to frame a western guy when the DNA retrieved in the crime scene belongs to an Asian. Why would they threaten to hang him instead of going on with it immediately. If these guys are the influential mafia, how did he run away from them in such a small island, you seriously think "mafia" can't take him out of 7/11?

It is BS, the expats living in Koh TAO confirmed it.

Think you meant to reply to someone else. I never said, nor do I believe they'll try to pin this on a westerner. (Thank god for DNA)

[Pattaya46]

He is also mafia - anyone who tells you he is not has their own agenda

You probably have your own definition of "Mafia", as the many other posters who use it indiscriminately, because a rich family that has a lot of influence in a village or island is not enough to make it a "Mafia". To get a "Mafia" you need at least organized crime and racketeering. Do you have any proof on that at Koh Tao ?

[IAMSOBAD]

I've said from day one...DNA test the local bosses and the local police. Third world justice...Third world investigation... They just don't care about life ,only money.

[Rykbanlor]

People on here make me laugh NOT.

If the cops had screwed it up they would be all over them. If the cops do it right they are all over them.

People (TV members with brain cells) there is no difference between this case and a case in the western"civilized" world.

If a wealthy or well to do family is involved before the police can do anything they have to have a case that is air tight and has no means of the person getting away with it.

Therefore the [police may have known for a long time who was involved but had to go through the motions to get as much info without tipping off the Headman so that he was not concerned about running interference.

Think about all the cases in the US UK involving wealthy people.

It will be interesting to see who gets arrested for aiding and abetting and also if Martial (military) Law rules are invoked.

I could not agree more. Well said.

If the police mess up in the west we will call them out for it just the same (as was done during the yorkshire ripper and moors murder trials - there were some botchs and the public made noise about it.)

Although some posters on here may be a little blunt or bald with their statements, the truth is the Police in Thailand have earned a reputation of incompetence, corruption, cover-ups etc in the past of many cases, small and large. There is no smoke without fire, so if you can ignore the overly nasty Thai bashing, you will surely concede that the Thai police may have earned themselves a bit of a name, and thats why so many posts are contemptuous of them.

[Commerce]

Posted Today, 13:51

Southern police chief says there is enough evidence in British tourists' murder case to make arrest now



BANGKOK: -- The southern police chief said at noon Tuesday that the police now have gained enough evidence to make arrest of more than one murderers in the murder of the two British tourists in Koh Tao.

Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen, commissioner of the Eighth Region Police Command, said the police have now detained all the suspects for questioning, and now have gained evidences of who are the murderer or murderers.

There is more than one, he said, and expressed confidence they will be arrested and charged within this week, he added.

Meanwhile Royal Thai Police acting commissioner dismissed news report that the two British tourists might be killed by local mafias after having heated argument with them.

If there are mafias, the police should have informed and local people might have told the police about it, said Pol Gee Somyos Phumphanmuang on Tuesday on the update of the murders.

He said local people gave good cooperation to give information, adding the report was not true.

The acting national police chief now said there was progress in the investigation, and more central forensic police were sent to Koh Tao to help examine and collect evidence.

He said earlier investigation did not make headway as the cooperation and coordination among authorities were not much with only the investigation police doing their work and no meeting with each other.

But now he said that they will sit down together to discuss and to work in the same direction.

He also disclosed that the two suspects who are speed boat employees have been cleared after DNA testing did not match those found at the scene and in the body of one British victims.

-------------------------------------------------

Let's open this up, assuming the reporting is correct.

No - foget it,...... too many compare and contrasts, that have nothing to do with each other. Good to see infighting, as that means at least one person is on the level!

In addition, what is a 'central' forensic police team? Guys who can look at concrete, and not sand 8 days after the event? BS.

It continues to display the ineptidude of BIB, and Thailand should be even more embarassed... there is not a simpler answer to that assumption!.............................................

Royal Thai Comissioner suggests Police should be aware of local mafia? ......... GET a life winker.

Now need to sit down, as DNA does not match those of the local non-existent mafia of the rich families, and discuss. (envelopes?)

Simply, it just becomes more ludicrous.........

[transam]

'Jonathan Head ‏@pakhead 10m

Arrests may come soon after DNA tests completed. Question is - if suspects r from AC bar family why were they not questioned & tested b4?'

Cessation of monthly "salaries" too...........

[penoirz]

"

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."

No scapegoats this time round.Departure from the norm eh?

[Richardbhh]

What took so long? Everyone knew it was the AC/In Touch crowd all along. That's what they're into. Police only had to ask anyone on the island who it was.

Mr W. will be next no doubt.

[Iumentum]

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.

Yet in the wake of his report, a couple of very influential Koh Tao residents had meetings with the police, and now there is one suspect in custody and another on the run.

Moreover, the guy gave up his life here and placed himself in a position where it might not ever be safe for him to come back.

You don't have to believe him yet, but to dismiss him outright in the meantime is plain wrong, in my humble opinion.

Why would they try to frame a western guy when the DNA retrieved in the crime scene belongs to an Asian. Why would they threaten to hang him instead of going on with it immediately. If these guys are the influential mafia, how did he run away from them in such a small island, you seriously think "mafia" can't take him out of 7/11?

It is BS, the expats living in Koh TAO confirmed it.

LOL, the expats on Koh Tao confirmed it!!

You know that the investigation clearly has stated that there would be at least 2 murders involved right? Hence, the DNA of asian wouldn't rule out Sean. Also, with influence you can make many things happen, and it wouldn't have been surprising if they would find a way to try to convince the world that the semen was planted.

Stop trying to frame Sean until we at least know wether or not he has been full of sh*t, he might actually be a hero in this case.