Killers of Britons may have fled Koh Tao - Police pin hopes on DNA test results

[webfact]

Police pin hopes on DNA test results
Somchai Samart,
Suchart Sritama
The Nation



Killers of Britons may have fled Koh Tao; rape seen as the only motive for attack

BANGKOK: -- Nearly two weeks since the gruesome murders of two British backpackers on Koh Tao, the killers are still at large. Worse still, police have pinned all their hopes on the DNA test results of samples they have collected from almost everybody on Koh Tao, to see if they match those found on the victims.

Police yesterday intensified their interviews with people on Koh Tao, off Surat Thani province, in a bid to learn about the last hours before the killings.

For now, police believe the murders were sexually motivated, as none of the victims' belongings were missing, Pol General Kiattipong Kaosam-ang, a provincial police commander, said yesterday.

"The motivation for the attack is rape, because we found the belongings intact on the victims' bodies," he said.

Referring to a cigarette butt found near the bodies of the victims, Kiattipong said the attackers might have been smoking when the victims walked by. The attackers, who probably used drugs, then followed them, raped the woman and killed the man.

He said about 50 per cent of the investigation had been completed. Police are now waiting for results of the DNA tests. If any matches are found, police can issue an arrest warrant for the suspect, he said.

As of yesterday, police had collected about 200 DNA samples from people on Koh Tao, mostly immigrant workers.

Meanwhile, a police source said that of the 200 samples, results of 34 were available and none of them were found to match those found on the victims. Police expect results of the other tests soon.

The DNA samples were collected from many groups of people on the island, including Thai employees who were near the crime scene, the victims' friends and those seen on security cameras on that day. There are still some people we are looking for, he said.

Among the difficulties in looking for the killers is that there are about 4,000 migrant workers from Myanmar on the islands and not all of them are registered. The killers may already have left the island, Kiattipong said.

Police have focused their investigation on migrant workers on the island and it is likely that some Thai superiors are involved. Fishermen were unlikely to be the killers as their boats were docked on the other side of the island, far from the crime scene. Tour boats were also not near.

An important piece of evidence collected from the scene was a condom that had the DNA of the female victim, Kiattipong said, insisting that police believe there were two or three attackers.

Meanwhile, Maj-General Theenanat Jindangern, Army commander of Surat Thani, said the Army would meet tourism operators today to discuss the registration of migrant workers to meet the legal requirements.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul will meet with tourists and tourism operators in Koh Tao this Sunday in a bid to restore confidence and seek prevention measures to avoid the re-occurrence of such crimes.

"The minister will spend the whole day on the island. She will also collect tourism information about the situation to find ways to revive business," a Tourism Authority of Thailand representative said.

Thailand's image as a tourist destination has been damaged by the murders, which made headlines in the international media. However, airlines operating between Thailand and Britain have confirmed that passenger numbers are continuing to increase.

In Japan, TAT and Thai operators are now joining "JATA Tourism Expo Japan 2014", where many were asking about the security situation in Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-pin-hopes-on-DNA-test-results-30244162.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-26

[Lukecan]

"May have fled"

LMAO

They're probably at some village in Cambodia by now

[Plutojames88]

This must send shrivers down the spines of tourists there and heading there.

Lets hope they are caught and the senseless brutal murders stop.

God knows where they could strike next?

[jaidam]

"Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul will meet with tourists and tourism operators in Koh Tao this Sunday in a bid to restore confidence and seek prevention measures to avoid the re-occurrence of such crimes."

Hard to reconcile this statement with the fact they are focusing their efforts on dna testing Burmese women and men, who clearly had nothing whatsoever to do with this crime.

When I read rubbish like this above news article, well they are not even trying to find the killers are they.

[traviss]

This must send shrivers down the spines of tourists there and heading there.

Lets hope they are caught and the senseless brutal murders stop.

God knows where they could strike next?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303910-i9415-k7811834-Should_we_still_go-Ko_Tao_Surat_Thani_Province.html

[NongKhaiKid]

" Police have pinned their hope on DNA test results from samples collected from ALMOST everybody on Koh Tao . "

Yes, almost everybody but just who have been excluded and why ?

[Lex Talionis]

"An important piece of evidence collected from the scene was a condom that had the DNA of the female victim, Kiattipong said, insisting that police believe there were two or three attackers."

I'm assuming all the DNA collected at the scene has been processed. How many different DNA types were found? Seems that would answer the question of number of attackers. I suppose it's possible but unlikely that someone took part in the murder but not in the rapes. Maybe this question has already been answered though, as I haven't read all the numerous threads that are running.

[Plutojames88]

This must send shrivers down the spines of tourists there and heading there.

Lets hope they are caught and the senseless brutal murders stop.

God knows where they could strike next?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303910-i9415-k7811834-Should_we_still_go-Ko_Tao_Surat_Thani_Province.html

They invent that data and dubious responses from make believe people to keep their travel sites going.

It's obvious your not going to print a response like "" banned my daughter from going ...others parents on mass did the same ...too risky ""

They are gonna print sun shining waters great , leave my door open at night and have no cares what so ever , cocktails in paradise anyone?""

Get it?

It ain't real.

In reality people are canning the place.

[siampolee]

Meanwhile, Maj-General Theenanat Jindangern, Army commander of Surat Thani, said the Army would meet tourism operators today to discuss the registration of migrant workers to meet the legal requirements.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul will meet with tourists and tourism operators in Koh Tao this Sunday in a bid to restore confidence and seek prevention measures to avoid the re-occurrence of such crimes.

"The minister will spend the whole day on the island. She will also collect tourism information about the situation to find ways to revive business," a Tourism Authority of Thailand representative said.

While of course the police farce force investigating this horrific crime will carry on with their ongoing massed debating theory practices and assorted other activities so as to further muddy the waters with the D.N.A.rhetoric.

Fatty Arbuckle lives.

Edited September 25, 2014 by siampolee

[Jeremy50]

This whole fiasco has been a shocking disgrace.

[Lozza]

Why are they still looking for suspects amongst the migrant workers. They know who the real suspects are, they're thai and a burmese. Lies, lies now blaming media for messing the investigation, We didn't need the media the BIB did all the talking.

"Hannah may have walked past her attacker while he was smoking"......what...is this supposed to be how her dna was on the cigarette.

Sean's photo of the 2 offenders clearly shows they weren't having a friendly discussion, look at their faces and why would they pick Sean out of a bar full of people. Anyone knowing the thai's know they do not sit at tables conversing with falangs they don't know. I believe him.

They will not shut up about the british friend who they tried to pin it on.

[JeremyBowskill]

"The attackers, who probably used drugs, then followed them, raped the woman and killed the man." how do you come to a conclusion like this without having any idea who it is? Do only people who use drugs rape and murder people? Total load of horsesh!t!!

It s a bit like, well if we have to pin it on a Thai (which apparently no Thai could ever do this) we will make him/them out to be off their t!ts on ice or something. Stop trying to protect tourism and start trying to protect people please.

Edited September 26, 2014 by JeremyBowskill

[Jack Mountain]

I don't think that migrant workers would let the belongings behind ... and that they have found a condom is new for me ...

[phuketandsee]

Ozzy, you keep referring to necrophilia. Where are you getting this from?

[phuketandsee]

I think it is becoming evident now (if not several days ago) that the BIB's credibility is totally shot. Without outside independent verification of all the evidence, who is going to believe their eventual conclusion?

I suspect many will only believe it now if it involves the so-called "powerful families"

[rametindallas]

Thai PBS says the police are waiting on the results from a hundred DNA samples that haven't been tested, yet.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/100-dna-samples-yet-tested/

[traviss]

This must send shrivers down the spines of tourists there and heading there.

Lets hope they are caught and the senseless brutal murders stop.

God knows where they could strike next?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303910-i9415-k7811834-Should_we_still_go-Ko_Tao_Surat_Thani_Province.html

They invent that data and dubious responses from make believe people to keep their travel sites going.

It's obvious your not going to print a response like "" banned my daughter from going ...others parents on mass did the same ...too risky ""

They are gonna print sun shining waters great , leave my door open at night and have no cares what so ever , cocktails in paradise anyone?""

Get it?

It ain't real.

In reality people are canning the place.

I don't disagree...And as identified on the latter pages of the attached site one will find that a greater percentage of comments have been removed. Possibly due to negative comments regarding island safety thus having a negative financial impact for the site. Speculation...

However, Trip Advisor has "More than 60 million emailable members worldwide, More than 170 million reviews and opinions from travelers around the world". This is documented, and yes it is real. Sure, a percentage of members, contributors, reviews and opinions are bogus but one would be hard pressed to provide data that would identify a majority as "make believe people".

Point being, it is human nature/belief that such a terrible thing would happen to me/us, only happens to others. Tourist will continue to travel to and stay on Koh Tao. I dislike island life, have a low safety risk tolerance and would like to see a negative impact to the islands economy due to the murders and perhaps subsequent failure bring the responsible party/parties to justice. Even with that said, I would not be deterred by the recent crime if considering a visit to the island.

This is the reality for many people...and yes perhaps others reality is "in canning the place".

Just curious, has the retreat of existing tourist from the island or cancellation of present and/or near term bookings attributed to the murders been documented? Have those numbers been compared to the previous three years numbers for the same period? If so, and if lower, what percentage can be attributed to the recent murders? "In reality people are canning the place." Is this a fact based statement or personal opinion? TAT numbers are questionable...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-c4-Fact_Sheet.html

Edited September 26, 2014 by traviss

[Crazy chef 1]

He said about 50 per cent of the investigation had been completed. Police are now waiting for results of the DNA tests. If any matches are found, police can issue an arrest warrant for the suspect, he said.

50 % of zero is still zero,isn't?

[culicine]

" Police have pinned their hope on DNA test results from samples collected from ALMOST everybody on Koh Tao . "

Yes, almost everybody but just who have been excluded and why ?

According to the article..."almost everybody" means just the migrant workers.....still no Thai could have done this, so no need to test them!

I'm sure there are more than 200 males on that island at any given time. Test them ALL and look for a link.

I hope all western tourists boycott this island, knowing murderers are still on the loose. I'm sure even backpackers thrills don't include 'might be raped or murdered'. Give this dump a miss.

[culicine]

Thai PBS says the police are waiting on the results from a hundred DNA samples that haven't been tested, yet.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/100-dna-samples-yet-tested/

Yet the resort owners were tested and cleared in world record time lol

[6NS]

"May have fled"

LMAO

They're probably at some village in Cambodia by now

I missed reading through yesterdays forum so this is probably been discussed but, did that little mother f that fled to Bangkok every give DNA? Or did the police (from orders from above) beleive his storry that took him over a week to set up and deliver funds to the bogus whitneses. I will not except any whitneses of his or his families. DNA buddy, only then he could be left alone. No one would risk his life like this Saun guy did.and make up lies. He didn't point his finger at the most influential family on the Island as a joke. Get real Thailand authorities, get that guy's DNA, demand it.

[trainman34014]

'Almost everyone has been DNA tested'....then goes on to say 200 have been tested. I make that about roughly 20% of the Islands inhabitants..hardly 'almost everyone'.

[traviss]

Thai PBS says the police are waiting on the results from a hundred DNA samples that haven't been tested, yet.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/100-dna-samples-yet-tested/

Yet the resort owners were tested and cleared in world record time lol

Does anyone know if all DNA samples are being processed in Singapore?

[NongKhaiKid]

"May have fled"

LMAO

They're probably at some village in Cambodia by now

I missed reading through yesterdays forum so this is probably been discussed but, did that little mother f that fled to Bangkok every give DNA? Or did the police (from orders from above) beleive his storry that took him over a week to set up and deliver funds to the bogus whitneses. I will not except any whitneses of his or his families. DNA buddy, only then he could be left alone. No one would risk his life like this Saun guy did.and make up lies. He didn't point his finger at the most influential family on the Island as a joke. Get real Thailand authorities, get that guy's DNA, demand it.

If i've got it right he ' proved ' he wasn't on the island at the time so wasn't tested.

[lucaswallachia]

"The motivation for the attack is rape, because we found the belongings intact on the victims' bodies," he said...

David was naked except for his left shoe and so they are saying that they found found Hannah's wallet and phone?

[kmj]

I just read on thaivisa news artice her phone is missing, here the report says nothing missing, what a farce, I thinks its more a case of corruption and not ineptitude...

[Loles]

this investigation a comedy, BUT two youths are lost!

[Albertosez]

If I us have read this properly : one poster is suggesting that one of the victims was actually shot " execution style " and then the face smashed up to destroy the bullet wound and entry / exit wound ? Then raped twice when she was already dead!!

I have never heard this said in any of the Press Releases.

Can someone who uses Social Media please ask the UK Press if they have heard of this - officially / unofficially ?

This is a " loud shout " and one would only hope that no one would make such a comment without something to go on??

[NongKhaiKid]

" Police have pinned their hope on DNA test results from samples collected from ALMOST everybody on Koh Tao . "

Yes, almost everybody but just who have been excluded and why ?

According to the article..."almost everybody" means just the migrant workers.....still no Thai could have done this, so no need to test them!

I'm sure there are more than 200 males on that island at any given time. Test them ALL and look for a link.

I hope all western tourists boycott this island, knowing murderers are still on the loose. I'm sure even backpackers thrills don't include 'might be raped or murdered'. Give this dump a miss.

A couple of days ago I posted a comment on publicity and said I hadn't seen tourist information for many a long year and then it was only about respect for the Royal Family, Buddhism etc and the correct dress when visiting certain locations.

Maybe other members will have up to date information but it wouldn't go amiss to warn tourists that Thai law and its application will likely be so far removed from their home country and in something involving Thais they have to expect they may have problems proving innocence so caution and circumspection is necessary. This does not mean everyone will read and act accordingly but at least the warning is out there.

However with Thai defamation laws, banning publications and reporters, blocking websites etc and travel correspondents who don't want to lose their freebies the message isn't so easy to get out.

[SOTIRIOS]

..on one hand they say 'they suspect the murderers have fled by now'....on another hand.......this......

...and how could you blame the media....who is feeding all of this information to the media....???