Key witness says foreigner kills British tourists

[mataleo]

I Doubt it Sean that skiny boy on his own.

[mataleo]

The link in OP is deleted from website

[MJP]

The link in OP is deleted from website

Works for me.

[wilcopops]

Thai culture doesn't like conflict or accept being criticized. So a solution has the be found that avoids both, rather than one that relentlessly seeks out the truth. Add to that the influence of wealthy, powerful people, under the patronage feudal hierarchies that exist and you get more of an appreciation. Those with money, power, influence or from the right families are treated very differently than those who aren't. Non Thais receive very different treatment,

The fact that a very senior policeman can publicly state that evidence proves it was two Thai nationals, one of whom is arrested and the other on the run, and then a few days later the very (almost too) quick DNA test on one, and sudden appearance of witnesses claiming the other was in BKK at the time completely clears them. The bother/father of them then offers the police ThB 1m if they can prove his family was involved - nicely restoring family face and cementing his control over locals by showing his ability to directly challenge police authority. Gives an idea of some of the games being played - all driven by money. You think this is good in a society?

This forum is a discussion forum - not your personal forum where you set the rules, and decide what is acceptable or not. Learn some manners,

"Thai culture doesn't like conflict or accept being criticized. So a solution has the be found that avoids both". In other words it is an immature culture where anything can happen yet no one is ever held accountable. When westerners start accepting this morally dubious rubbish as normal behaviour the game is over. In Thailand "Thainess" trumps absolutely everything. Even from the outset before details were know the Thai PM no less stated that "Thais could never do this". This is the arrogant rotten mindset they have and all foreigners here are up against it. How much respect does Thai culture have for anything that isn't Thai ??? Learn some respect indeed !!!

This post is the closest I have read to absolutely true here so far.

It's sad .

Shocking .( to some)

But for many of us ...it's just knowledge we knew deep down ...for the more faithful a realisation.

Yes, this for me is a watershed moment in my relationship with Thailand. Of course, I have known all about corruption being a part of life here and I understand the concept of face being so important to Thai people.

But what we have here is a crime of monstrous proportions that could have been so easily been dealt with justice and fairness to the families of the victims. The perpetrators of these crimes are no big shakes in the greater scheme of Thailand. The island and the mafia who run it are fairly insignificant when considering Thailand, it's culture, it's economy, it's history as a whole.

But what we have witnessed is an obfuscation from the very top all the way down to the bottom of Thai society. A PM who thinks pretty women should not wear bikinis on a beach, though non-pretty women may. A police general claiming a Thai couldn't do this. An investigation where alleged perpetrators are allowed to mingle freely with police officers at the crime scene. Statements of fact declared to the press, only to be contradicted the next day. The hunt for a scapegoat. That some high-ranking mafia can refuse to be DNA tested. The heat put on Sean McAnna by heavies and the planting of incriminating evidence in his room. The chase through Bangkok streets of foreign witnesses. And finally to cap it all off we have the Minister for Tourism arriving on the island bearing gifts of better electricity supplies and grand tourist 'events' in order to reimburse the mafia families for the expenses they have incurred to make this crime go away.

It's really sick. The old politicians may have been swept away but the ugliness just gets worse. Don't expect any help from the embassies. They are there to look after business interests and it's a system which exists to make money for the powerful. Don't pin your hopes on the press, too much either. They will be there when there is a story to tell, in time no new revelations will come out and the press will move on to other outrages across the world.

We as individuals are the only people who can make a difference. We can choose whether or not we want to support a corrupt and barbaric system or not, through our spending. There are alternatives. None of us are forced to be in Thailand, even if we are married and living here with families. Thailand won't change, and will continue to get worse, until they get hit in the pocket. It's the only thing the rich and powerful understand. It's the only thing we can do.

I must admit that even before this crime i've been considering whether Thailand is a place I can in all conscience stay in. i work here and have to wonder whether I should be contributing to this corrupt and undemocratic system. In over a decade I've built up some serious connections both emotional and financial with the country, but there are limits, it's just a matter of soul-searching to find where those limits are.

[euroflash]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

[green job]

Very well expressed, NCFC..........excellent post.

Sorry I dont agree on with one word ,,,,,, Most I think is concocted bull.....The only way,,, And I mean the Key is Sean Sean do this for your consceince Get of your ass and come clean, It will only get worse for you.

So If you want a boot in the backside I for one think you did it,and I am sure a lot of other people do as well. So now prove me ( us ) wrong.

There isn't even clues that Sean met David (or Hannah) the whole night?

The DNA found inside H was of 2 Asian men.

Isn't that a little far-fetched? The only thing really connects Sean to this is that two locals tried to make him a scapegoat, and he came forward about it fearing for his life and fled.

There is possibility he might know something, or have a hunch of who did it.

There's a long trip for him being a prime-suspect given the evidence thus far.

That being said I do hope the UK authorities interview him. He probably went silent for death threats or such harassment on FB, and someone told in the board (rumor) that UK authorities would had adviced him to keep quiet profile in public, and handle it with the authority. Makes sense to me.

First who are you? a friend from Sean? In interest for Sean pull him out of the hole he has hidden in, I guarantee without him there will never ever be a conviction

[MJP]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

Oh Christ. My best friend lives on Samet.

[Neeranam]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

Oh Christ. My best friend lives on Samet.

Samet is owned by a nice guy, who happens to own Pat Pong too.

[green job]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

Just looked at pbs nothing

[dealthedice]

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First who are you? a friend from Sean? In interest for Sean pull him out of the hole he has hidden in, I guarantee without him there will never ever be a conviction

No, I have nothing to do with Sean. I'm just a forum user like you, a tourist who has visited Thailand previously and is annoyed how this case has been handled, and who hopes that justice will be served for the sake of the murdered and their families.

I agree that UK authorities should talk to Sean. Maybe they already have, it just hasn't been announced publicly?

By the way, not a biggie, but these murders have been recognized elsewhere in European media too. At least in Finland, where MTV has been reporting (though without many of the gruesome details) about the case since beginning. The latest came out today, which stated (roughly translated) that "the lack of finding the perpetrators in the brutal double murder in Ko Tao is getting people frustrated, since police has stated today that they are not any more close to make arrest than before.". I don't know if the statement of what they allegedly said "today" is true? Wouldn't be a surprise though, that they have nothing, or don't want to use it.

[chrisinth]

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

it is best for people here to take a few steps back and understand

there are real reporters on this case now

we only need to feed them what we know, and let them do their job,

this is what is needed most now, as only a CNN or other like them can apply the international pressure we need

we must all thank the CNN reporters and keep them on this case

So, we should all tell the reporters what exactly? Our thoughts on what happened? So they can report to the rest of the world?

Speculation sells newspapers, adds to tweets, facebook pages, etc, etc, etc.

100% facts solve cases, something that nobody on TV has......................

[slygeeza]

Very well expressed, NCFC..........excellent post.

Sorry I dont agree on with one word ,,,,,, Most I think is concocted bull.....The only way,,, And I mean the Key is Sean Sean do this for your consceince Get of your ass and come clean, It will only get worse for you.

So If you want a boot in the backside I for one think you did it,and I am sure a lot of other people do as well. So now prove me ( us ) wrong.

your not the guy that posed on facebook with the hoe are you?

[phuketandsee]

Google "To protect and self-serve"

Scroll down to the article in a well-known BKK newspaper.

An interesting read and good to see some critical journalism, albeit in the English language press.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts about a new incident on Koh Samet have been removed. I'm sure the News Team will have a lead soon.

[Wilsonandson]

Sean McAnna added: I loved you so &lt;deleted&gt; much brother. I know you tried to save her. You are the most honourable guy Ive ever met.

http://tab.co.uk/2014/09/16/tributes-pour-in-for-british-students-murdered-on-thai-beach-2/

Maybe he knows more. Family of David might know Sean and might have talked to him about this already. He's a key witness in this case and should be reinterviewed.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Eureka!! I have got it. The German beggar!!

"You help us, and you stay in Thailand for looooong time"

Case Solved.

[Wilsonandson]

No not just yey as tomorrow is the day we will see the case solved. DNA will be back from the lab and the tourism minister promise we would have the murderers arrested and the case solved so the island can have a big party.

[penwithcris]

There is a substantial reward being offered to the person who provides evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderers so it is little wonder that witnesses have now come forward to try to obtain this reward money

The problem is that evidence is likely to be concocted and, thereby, further muddying the already murky waters

It's becoming like the Liverpool edition of 'Cluedo' where they ALL did it!

[Wilsonandson]

There is a substantial reward being offered to the person who provides evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderers so it is little wonder that witnesses have now come forward to try to obtain this reward money

The problem is that evidence is likely to be concocted and, thereby, further muddying the already murky waters

It's becoming like the Liverpool edition of 'Cluedo' where they ALL did it!

There are 2 rewards 700,000 baht to catch the killers and 1,000,000 baht to hand them over to the chief of the southern police.

[IAMSOBAD]

There is a substantial reward being offered to the person who provides evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderers so it is little wonder that witnesses have now come forward to try to obtain this reward money

The problem is that evidence is likely to be concocted and, thereby, further muddying the already murky waters

It's becoming like the Liverpool edition of 'Cluedo' where they ALL did it!

There are 2 rewards 700,000 baht to catch the killers and 1,000,000 baht to hand them over to the chief of the southern police.

Thank you for clearing that up. We dontspeaka de engris well in dees heeer parts.

[Mooner]

Maybe that serve and protect article need to be sent to foreign news agencies to let them know this hideous murder can be covered up.

Hopefully this will help them not forget this incident and push the police to find the guilty parties

[RuthieB]

One of Sean's photos from Koh Tao. The man on the left looks remarkably like the man caught walking, and running in the CCTV. I find Sean's choice of words continually odd. Such as, wanting to kill us all one by one.

[boomerangutang]

No not just yey as tomorrow is the day we will see the case solved. DNA will be back from the lab and the tourism minister promise we would have the murderers arrested and the case solved so the island can have a big party.

I don't think testing a quantity of people at the island is going to crack this case. Testing the members of that bar-owning family (Mon and his brothers) as well as their friends - will be more telling. So, don't be surprised if the headline news tomorrow on this case is this: 200 people tested, but no matches. The next step after that, is officials may round up yet more people to test, and yield yet more non-matches. It's yet another stall tactic (orchestrated, at least partly, by the VIP family which, with their associates, should be the prime suspects) - all the while hoping the general public will either tire of this case and/or another big story will grab the headlines.

[MJP]

One of Sean's photos from Koh Tao. The man on the left looks remarkably like the man caught walking, and running in the CCTV. I find Sean's choice of words continually odd. Such as, wanting to kill us all one by one.

This Sean needs rounding up.

[slygeeza]

One of Sean's photos from Koh Tao. The man on the left looks remarkably like the man caught walking, and running in the CCTV. I find Sean's choice of words continually odd. Such as, wanting to kill us all one by one.

This Sean needs rounding up.

handing himself in and volunteering dna not enough for you?

[MJP]

One of Sean's photos from Koh Tao. The man on the left looks remarkably like the man caught walking, and running in the CCTV. I find Sean's choice of words continually odd. Such as, wanting to kill us all one by one.

This Sean needs rounding up.

handing himself in and volunteering dna not enough for you?

Guitar blood needs eliminating.

[penoirz]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

Just looked at pbs nothing

White male found, approx. 50 years old, height 167cm. head/neck injury

[MJP]

Is it even clear if Sean McAnna is still in Thailand or back home? The last thing I read was that the Thai authorities requested him to stay in Thailand, but I'm not sure if they actually forbid him leaving.

By the way, the Thai press is reporting that another foreigner - a Caucasian male - has been murdered and found in the water near Koh Samet.

Just looked at pbs nothing

White male found, approx. 50 years old, height 167cm. head/neck injury

Any links?

Fit's my friends description.

[bendejo]

Maybe they put the DNA evidence aside because it was hindering the closing of the case.

[Gang Warily]

Very well expressed, NCFC..........excellent post.

Sorry I dont agree on with one word ,,,,,, Most I think is concocted bull.....The only way,,, And I mean the Key is Sean Sean do this for your consceince Get of your ass and come clean, It will only get worse for you.

So If you want a boot in the backside I for one think you did it,and I am sure a lot of other people do as well. So now prove me ( us ) wrong.

I agree with NCFC and I don't agree with green job about Sean. If he was guilty of something serious, he wouldn't have voluntarily put himself in the middle of the whirlwind. He would have laid as low as possible. He may not be the kind of guy you'd want babysitting your daughters, but that's beside the point. It's not a popularity contest. It's about arresting, trying, convicting and punishing the rapists/killers. I do hope he gives testimony, even if it's in absentia.

If Thai officials were serious about apprehending the culprits (which doesn't appear clear they are, at this time) then they would send some officials to do a video-taped interview with Sean. If he's spooked by any Thais searching for him, it's completely understandable. Perhaps they could set up an interview at the British embassy somewhere. At the least, he should send a sworn affidavit to officials. In the US, they call something like that; "friend of the court." If so, he should also send a copy to the press corps, because Thai officials might act like they never received it - because it won't likely be pleasing for island VIPs.

Sean McAnna has already spoken to Embassy officials. If the Thais want to proceed against him (They could have stopped him leaving btw) then British police would have to do the interview - not Thai police. The British police should also, if they have not done so, request the DNA results on the suspected killers. It appears the independent forensic analysts are not being told the names of the people they are DNA testing. That puts the power into the hands of the local police.