Police promised cash reward to buy false testimony: Koh Tao taxi driver

[boomerangutang]

I believe this is the 2nd person to come forward claiming the police offered big money to testify falsely (the 1st person said he was also beaten by cops?).

There could be another side to this. Picture this: one or both did actually have pertinent info. However, when they came forward (hoping for a fat reward, perchance?) the scenario they're greeted with (by cops) is different than they expected. Similarly, when the village headman hears of a witness which may further incriminate his brood, then the plot thickens further. It was the village headman who this latest 'bogus witness' went to, according to the report. It would be interesting to know what sorts of conversations actually took place between all these players, all of whom, except perhaps the (false) witnesses, are agenda-driven. And the agenda doesn't appear to be: to find and prosecute the actual criminals.

There won't be any transcripts, because 'above board' is an alien concept to Thais.

[halloween]

Are there 2 kamnan on Koh Tao? Both Woraphan Tuvichian and, in this case, Korbchai Saowalak are cited as holding the position.

[chooka]

We will never know the truth now.

[boomerangutang]

I wonder if any of the police have been DNA tested?

good question, and the answer is: 'very likely not.'

If they start the investigation stating "A Thai person could never do this." Then it goes without saying, "A Thai policeman could certainly never do this sort of thing. I'm offended that you would even say such a thing. Quick, get my lawyer. I want to slap a defamation suit on you."

[kuiburi]

Are there 2 kamnan on Koh Tao? Both Woraphan Tuvichian and, in this case, Korbchai Saowalak are cited as holding the position.

Right , same i thought , village chief is a phuyai baan , district chief a kamnan . Or do I mis something here ?

[NeverSure]

An absolute disgrace .

That said, good on old cabbie for speaking up.

I thought you were done with it

I suspect he meant he was finished hoping for justice.

[chooka]

That's it. I'm done with it.

do not give up keep it in the media help to tear down those b.st.rds

and remove these police from the investigation. Even if they actually arrest the right guy thier credibility will already be under question in court and the suspect will probably walk.

[bunglebag]

If the police are are calling him in twice, they obviously think he knows something. Perhaps the village headman is encourageing the driver to be quiet.I dont think the cops just chose a random taxi driver and beat him up. There are two sides and i am standing by the police. The english police are known to give their suspects a beating now and then. I think the police are quite close to an arrest, but just need abit more information. If that guy was so innocent he would be sueing the cops a---s. All praise to the police, beat him up again and get his mouth relaxed

He wasn't a random taxi driver though. I believe he played for the same team as the three footballers the police planned to pin it on, hence him being the witness, and hence the police saying the other day that they were close to making arrests (they obviously had to backtrack once this guy didn't play along). Maybe part of the story they wanted him to give was that he was there and he didn't like the way it was heading? i.e. they could have switched more of it onto him once he had given his 'statement'.

May well have been caught between a rock and a hard place. Don't envy him, and don't envy the three footballers either *if* they were innocent as they would have been in massive doodoo just for walking behind the wrong person on cctv.

Now, will the new cop in charge of the investigation have the balls or integrity to DNA the family members? Me thinks not. Until that happens this will continue to stink.

[NeverSure]

I'll say it again. We need to quit thinking DNA. These guys want a cover up and the semen taken from the woman probably no longer exists. If they have semen, it probably came from Sakhon Wherever from some guys who've never been out of Isaan. No one on or near that Island will ever match that DNA.

The Brits have the real DNA from repatriating the body, but they'll never get verified samples of real suspects to compare.

The new government doesn't even seem interested. Is there no corruption in the military? I always understood there is.

[Fairynuff]

We will never know the truth now.

There was never any chance of that anyway

[bunglebag]

We will never know the truth now.

There was never any chance of that anyway

The truth may out one day, but I fear justice will never be served, at least not legally.

[falangjim]

Awwww...<deleted>. Just frame the Thai footballers and let's get this circus show over.

[khunpa]

That's it. I'm done with it.

So am I!

Actually, I think it is best to not read any local news about Thailand, when you live here. Reading these totally crazy news stories everyday, has begun to change my mindset about Thailand in general and make me a bit crazy.

Now I understand, why my girlfriends just smiles, shakes her head and says "Just forget it", when I comment on some of the things from the news. There is no point and thinking about it, will just make you go mad. Wanting to see changes or results here, is the same as asking children in a kindergarten to start behaving and thinking like adults. It's simply impossible.

So my conclusion is: If you want to be happy in Thailand and stay sane, then just keep focus on your own life and make as much money as possible. Because money is the only thing, that will solve any problems you get into here. Social awareness, moral, ethics and empathy towards others will not. That belongs somewhere back in a civilized world. Expecting and hoping for changes, is just an illusion. In other words: Do like the Thais do!

I feel really sorry for the victims and their families, but facing the facts, this is the risks of visiting this country. If you get killed here or know somebody who do, then justice should not be expected. So back to life and back to happiness, based on not focusing on problem solving, empathy for strangers, justice and what is right/wrong.

If Thais want to change their country, then they must do it themselves. And the PM said it himself very clearly from the start: "If you get killed in Thailand, it is your own fault". Now I understand why he said that. Because not accepting that things just are the way they are, will make you go mad. The victims biggest mistake, was not to wear bikinis, drink or have sex on the beach. It was to choose Thailand as their holiday destination. I hope they rest in peace.

[englishoak]

Be consoled its getting close to the tipping point

[khunjamesjohnson]

The cops are interested in a piece of the reward money and don't care who takes the fall.

[The Deerhunter]

Hmmmmm. Could be a version of the old "transferred to an inactive post."

[madmitch]

If any of this is proven, which of course is unlikely, the the police chief and officers involved should be sacked and possibly charged with fabricating evidence.

But we know this isn't going to happen. They probably won't even suffer the ignominy of being moved to an inactive post.

[janpharma]

THIS is "Thainess"...

[bangkokheat]

well that just about sums up thailand

[Tazwa]

I thought the village head man was offering 1000,000. Cheapskate

700,000 to the witness +

300,000 to the police pockets =

1,000,000

[jomcondo]

The cops have known who did it from day 1.

Do they know or even care how they look to the rest of the world when they do this?.......I guess not because they have done it multiple times.

Thailand is quickly gaining a reputation as the land of Rape & Robbery.

[GAZZPA]

If the police are are calling him in twice, they obviously think he knows something. Perhaps the village headman is encourageing the driver to be quiet.I dont think the cops just chose a random taxi driver and beat him up. There are two sides and i am standing by the police. The english police are known to give their suspects a beating now and then. I think the police are quite close to an arrest, but just need abit more information. If that guy was so innocent he would be sueing the cops a---s. All praise to the police, beat him up again and get his mouth relaxed

"the English police are known to give their suspects a beating now and then"?

What are you talking about? After that comment I can only assume everything else is not worth reading,, Yep just read it and i was right.

[allan michaud]

Football players it is then.

Foreign ones no doubt.

[recycled]

So, should one assume that because The Man's silence on this issue is deafening and he has no intention to re-model the police force, then one can believe he doesn't give a flying <deleted>.

[nanapong]

If the police are are calling him in twice, they obviously think he knows something. Perhaps the village headman is encourageing the driver to be quiet.I dont think the cops just chose a random taxi driver and beat him up. There are two sides and i am standing by the police. The english police are known to give their suspects a beating now and then. I think the police are quite close to an arrest, but just need abit more information. If that guy was so innocent he would be sueing the cops a---s. All praise to the police, beat him up again and get his mouth relaxed

"the English police are known to give their suspects a beating now and then"?

What are you talking about? After that comment I can only assume everything else is not worth reading,, Yep just read it and i was right.

He probably lives in Issan with nothing better to do than watch old Sweeny episodes all day while guzzling the Chang. He's also another one who's seen Elvis herding buffalo through the village every Wednesday morning.

[casindonet]

Promoted for being incompetent? Did they also award him with a medal for a job well done in KT?

[SOTIRIOS]

......is this the second case of attempted 'witness creation' we hear about....???

[Card]

Speaking later to reporters, Prasit said: "I don't want to take any action against the policemen, but want to demonstrate my innocence and I will cooperate with other requests in the future. Just don't force me to acknowledge [something] I never knew [about]," he said

Had a strange experience with a tourist police officer, who played good friend and helper, when an older German man past away last year.

He lied about everything, said that he'd used his "police credit" and payed 38 K for the hospital bill out of his own pocket, when we were trying to get the dead body out, to his house for the usual ceremony.

We gave him the cash paid the "rest" at the hospital, but later found out that he was just a freaking liar. 38 K for his pocket.

When talking to thew hospital superiors it was clear that I wouldn't be in the pole position to tell the truth.So, we just forgot about the money and moved on.

I'm pretty certain that they'd have found some drugs in my car/house, etc, or that he'd have found a witness saying that I raped a little girl. or anything else that you can think of.

I fully understand why the cab driver doesn't want his name to be mentioned. Completely. ...

You gave 38K to anyone and a cop of all people and without checking with the hospital? Are you in your right mind? You deserve to lose it.

[allan michaud]

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I'll say it again. We need to quit thinking DNA. These guys want a cover up and the semen taken from the woman probably no longer exists. If they have semen, it probably came from Sakhon Wherever from some guys who've never been out of Isaan. No one on or near that Island will ever match that DNA.

The Brits have the real DNA from repatriating the body, but they'll never get verified samples of real suspects to compare.

The new government doesn't even seem interested. Is there no corruption in the military? I always understood there is.

See Kirsty Jones case, British police that solved that using DNA (although the Thai police have so far failed to act of course). There is some hope, maybe some intrepid reporter or family member will try to get some DNA from one of the headman's family. Steal a glass from the AC bar maybe.

Thankfully Panya has gone now so I don't have to listen to his moronic remarks each day. Hard to believe they guy got a promotion for his work. TIT.

[Pii Kate]

I feel like crying I am so angry. I feel like I am watching 6 year olds playing a game of cops and robbers.

How can a country operate with these minds in authority? Now this is something the Hague or UN should get involved in. Human rights violations with no end in sight.