PM vows crackdown on Koh Tao vices
The Nation


Worraphan Toowichien

Man regarded a suspect says he was in bangkok on the day of murders

BANGKOK: -- IN THE WAKE of the murder of two British citizens on Koh Tao, off Surat Thani coast, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

A fact-finding probe is needed to identify those involved but assigning soldiers to spearhead the crackdown would have been deemed a bit draconian, he said. However, this is the right time to launch the crackdown, as military personnel had been deployed on the island to assist the police in probing the murder, he added.

The Interior Ministry yesterday ordered provincial authorities across the country to work out urgent measures to ensure extra safety for tourists, including surveillance at tourist sites during the risky hours, setting up of road checkpoints and monitoring of people involved in suspicious activities.

The measures and the surveillance will be conducted jointly by the police, soldiers and civilian authorities, Interior permanent secretary Wibool Sa-ngaunphong said. Long-term measures would involve the installation of more surveillance cameras and lights in vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, a man who had allegedly left the island on September 14 morning after the double murders, spoke to Kom Chad Luek daily yesterday and pleaded his innocence. "I am not afraid [of being implicated], as I have done nothing wrong," said the unnamed man, 22, who is said to be a son of a village head and owner of a resort where the victims were seen drinking until late at night before they were found killed at Chor Por Ror beach at dawn.

Suspect 'not on the run'

The man was identified yesterday in media reports as Warot Toowichien, a son of AC Resort owner and former village headman Worraphan who has been cleared by the police. Warot came under the scrutiny of police, because he had allegedly left Koh Tao on the morning of the double murder.

Speaking to the Thai-language newspaper yesterday, Warot denied that he was on the run, but was in Bangkok - where he studied at a university - on Sunday when the crime took place.

"I have witnesses - university friends and lecturers who saw me at the apartment where I reside. They include the apartment residents. They are all ready to testify to help me. Also there is surveillance camera footage showing me staying at the university and the apartment," he added.

He added that he "could not comprehend" why his father had been interviewed and initially suspected by the |police, despite his cooperation and even assistance in providing police with leads and tip-offs.

Police have collected DNA samples from 300 Thai, foreign and immigrant men based on the island in an effort to match theirs with either semen found on the female victim's bodies, or other evidence found on the murder weapon or at the crime scene.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said Worra-phan and the other man, owner of Intouch Pub, were interviewed and had never been apprehended as suspects. He said police investigation into the murder had been plagued by rumours and unauthorised information spread on the social media.

He asked reporters to follow up progress into the investigation or seek interviews with Police Region 8 chief Pol Lt-General Panya Mamen, as the area commander directly supervised the police's work. Somyot added that there were certainly no influential figures on Koh Tao, as residents and business owners had been helpful in the police investigation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-vows-crackdown-on-Koh-Tao-vices-30244060.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-25

Warot if you are not guilty then provide DNA to clear your name. Simple !

Message to Prayuth: Don't mess about with this. This is now FAR bigger than the little "big time" players on this island. The world looks on in anticipation of the arrest of the right people and the charging of the police officers who are surely in the pockets of these players. It has become obvious to anybody with half a brain and it isn't just a bunch of Thai people saying "mai pen lai" this time. Come down hard, it doesn't matter if there is nothing left at the end. A clean start appears to be the best option out there.

No end in sight .

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

He added that he "could not comprehend" why his father had been interviewed and initially suspected by the |police, despite his cooperation and even assistance in providing police with leads and tip-offs.

With that being the case why has there been little or no progress in this case and the subsequent arrest of the offenders?

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said Worra-phan and the other man, owner of Intouch Pub, were interviewed and had never been apprehended as suspects. He said police investigation into the murder had been plagued by rumours and unauthorised information spread on the social media.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said Worra-phan and the other man, owner of Intouch Pub, were interviewed and would never be apprehended as suspects.

He said police investigation into the murder had been plagued by rumours (solid facts) and unauthorised (positive leads) information spread on the social media (the unpalatable truth).

Large bulky white envelopes were also suspected to be impeding the investigations process along with the insurance cover provided by certain families on the island to protect their self interests and kith and kin.

Somrot is either on the take or is a complete buffoon, or possibly both if he thinks there are no influential persons on Koh Tao. He is obviously incompetent so sack him.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

TIT, the hub of crackdowns and SSDD

There is a big difference between a crackdown and eradication, the former chases the culprits away to return another day , looks good unfortunately Thailand is cracking down on lots of things, but no eradication.

Thank you PM. The more investigating this horrendous crime the better. No one is above the law now.

He added that he "could not comprehend" why his father had been interviewed and initially suspected by the |police, despite his cooperation and even assistance in providing police with leads and tip-offs.

With that being the case why has there been little or no progress in this case and the subsequent arrest of the offenders?

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said Worra-phan and the other man, owner of Intouch Pub, were interviewed and had never been apprehended as suspects. He said police investigation into the murder had been plagued by rumours and unauthorised information spread on the social media.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said Worra-phan and the other man, owner of Intouch Pub, were interviewed and would never be apprehended as suspects.

He said police investigation into the murder had been plagued by rumours (solid facts) and unauthorised (positive leads) information spread on the social media (the unpalatable truth).

Large bulky white envelopes were also suspected to be impeding the investigations process along with the insurance cover provided by certain families on the island to protect their self interests and kith and kin.

In the other newspaper's report the BIB have blamed social media for ' confusing ' investigators but they seem to be doing quite a good job of that themselves.

In blaming everybody and anybody except themselves the BIB don't mention all the irresponsible and insensitive statements coming from within their own ranks including the rush to announce more suspects then having to admit they're not linked.

So far this has been nothing like a textbook investigation unless the textbook's from the ' How Not To ' range.

Another Thai crackdown!! So now it official that the case is going nowhere!

And the seems like the mainsuspect for the Thaivisa Sherlocks was not even on the island, when the crime took place??

So maybe in this case social media has caused more harm than good, with the fixation on the island-"mafia", leading the investigation (if you can call it that) in the wrong direction?

Not matter how much police and army you send to the island, I doubt this case will ever be solved! Sadly.

Been waiting for such vows from the caretaker/PM/General, this is the exact twist that this whole case needs.

Mr. Prayuth i for one salute you!

Great detective work, when the cops know the identity of the prime suspect....and, as it appears, didn't bother to check out his BKK residence, university etc.....

All of course if this prime suspect is telling the truth that he wasn't on KT at the time.........

Hopeless situation to say the least.......!

Somrot is either on the take or is a complete buffoon, or possibly both if he thinks there are no influential persons on Koh Tao. He is obviously incompetent so sack him.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Exactly this, who does he really expect to believe this shit?The Thais?tourists?media?

If he believes what he says, he should be sacked for being dangerously under-qualified for his job, blimey i don't think he would be qualified for much, or secondly he is a bare faced liar.

Again! The criminal aspect will be saying "Thanks for the tip off".

Why does Thailand warn everyone BEFORE they have a crackdown or take criminal action?

Well he certainly needs to do something after his pathetic, insensitive comments. And this kid in Bangkok should be turning himself in for tests, words are meaningless son!

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

What has he cleaned up already?

Just when we thought that the BIB might actually be getting something right.

What a roller-coaster of emotions the UK families must be going through.

I really feel for them.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

What has he cleaned up already?

Is that a serious question? Did you even try to look a little into what have been done before you asked that question?

The Thai Koh Tao looks like he's more in charge than the Thai police. Hope that the general can marshall some authority to overcome this Thai big man and his inner circle. It's a shame that we have been reading for two weeks about the horrible bludgeoning double murder of two British citizen tourists with farm tools and also how powerful these Thai big men are.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

What has he cleaned up already?

Is that a serious question? Did you even try to look a little into what have been done before you asked that question?

Yes it is a serious question. There have been many soundbites, some good work, like clearing of beaches in Phuket, but this can hardly be classed as clearing a lot. I may have missed all the other things that have been done?

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Dear General P,

Unfortunately this ideal measure, is all too little and all to late, this is not just a problem in Kho Tao, but is infact a serious massive and major problem at every tourist destination in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

What has he cleaned up already?

Is that a serious question? Did you even try to look a little into what have been done before you asked that question?

All BS! The jet ski thugs are back on the beaches, taxi are back to their old tricks, no meters on Samui-don't even bother to ask.

Same old Thailand

Well he certainly needs to do something after his pathetic, insensitive comments. And this kid in Bangkok should be turning himself in for tests, words are meaningless son!

" turning himself in .."

For as long as I have lived in Thailand I'll never understand this idea that everyone with any link to a criminal matter should be presenting themselves to the police or is assumed they eventually will.

This in a country where people are permitted to U Turn in front of roadblocks!

Send police and military overseers with no affiliations to the island , to bring in the suspect and interview him and obtain swabs and DO IT NOW!!

Give him a chance, so far, I think he has managed to clean up a lot already

What has he cleaned up already?

Is that a serious question? Did you even try to look a little into what have been done before you asked that question?

All BS! The jet ski thugs are back on the beaches, taxi are back to their old tricks, no meters on Samui-don't even bother to ask.

Same old Thailand

Do you honestly think that everything will happen over night? Yes some of the things are back to "normal" more or less, but where i am, quite a lot still holds for now. But it's not just what you see of crackdowns in tourist areas, people having positions running the country have been held responsible for actions too.

All we can do at the moment is hope for the best, but don't come and say that everything is back to "normal", because it sure ain't around here.

About the jetski thugs, they had come to an agreement, however, we still have to wait and see how things will turn out in practice.

could this finally be someone starting something that will cut short what a lot of "mafia" families are doing in Thailand. Most of the problems with tourists stems directly from these families in their own areas, by coming down on them or removing them it will certainly stop a lot of the crap. Trouble is will they actually do it, this seems to be the bigger question, can they overcome all the corruption these people cause.

BP reporting that BIB are interviewing witnesses at Lotus Bar where Sean McAnna was allegedly seen asking some staff to help wipe bloodstains off his body

I think this is the wrong 'crackdown'

There's been alot of crackdowns lately, I think this crackdown however is misplaced. I think the crackdown should be on police incompitence.

Crac down on ineptitude and legal officials so tainted with corruption they lack the actual skills needed to do their jobs properly.

I'd like to see that crack down.

Why is it so difficult to solve this case? Just go to the Rohinga Community nearby, grab a few Illiterate guys from a boat who was drunk at the time of the murders and can't remember anything, Put them at a table with a few look alike murder weapons in front of them with number tags on them and add some farang pointing a finger at the Guys!

Voila! case solved, shut and closed.