Suspects in Koh Tao backpacker murders retract confessions, says official

[SteveFong]

sadly, a job at the top means a lot of people filter and screen what goes to the head man (headman used unintentionally)

however, in this case, it is being put to his attention directly, and he is showing, he does not have a full grasp of the growing problem

one things is for sure, we do.

he will either turn viciously on those who are causing him this tremendous loss of face,

or he risks an uprising in his country which brings him down.

Headman on Small Island destroys 40 year Legacy of General P

or, General P wipes Kho Tao clean of criminals

its one or the other, and he will soon see that

[geraldbradford]

I think many are writing off the General a bit early.

They may be right but his job is a big one and he said before the coup that soldiers do not make good politicians.....

....A lot of posters on TV, me included, gave a sigh of relief at the coup and welcomed the General as a potential new

broom with a sweeping agenda.

Soldiers have no place forming juntas and effecting (illegal) coups.

Why would the 'general' be a new broom. Was there no corruption in the previous 6 decades of military rule? Who controls the oil smuggling? Who controls the import and distribution of heroin, yaba, etc? Who has regularly massacred it's own citizens? Who has committed terrible human rights abuses that still continue?

And why would he go against one, Tuwichian, whom is a very big supporter of the amaart?

Me thinks you need a lesson in how democratic states work and what role militaries should take.

The murder cover-up here on Koh Tao, if bring down some high ranking cops may drag the 'general' down with them. Governments have fallen in other countries because of scandals of a lesser nature than this.

Cheers.

[salween]

sadly, a job at the top means a lot of people filter and screen what goes to the head man (headman used unintentionally)

however, in this case, it is being put to his attention directly, and he is showing, he does not have a full grasp of the growing problem

one things is for sure, we do.

he will either turn viciously on those who are causing him this tremendous loss of face,

or he risks an uprising in his country which brings him down.

Headman on Small Island destroys 40 year Legacy of General P

or, General P wipes Kho Tao clean of criminals

its one or the other, and he will soon see that

What about examples like this, where he did not need any two-legged filters, just those between his ears:

"Tourists think that Thailand is beautiful, safe and that they can do anything they want here. That they can put on their bikinis and go anywhere they want. I ask, can you get away with wearing bikinis in Thailand? Unless you are not beautiful?"

[SteveFong]

That is a good point, but

He has the ability to make every enemy disappear, and, because he holds the real power, he can force people to stay silent,

think of the failed hit on Michael Corleone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZhYJcXh2I

[SteveFong]

sadly, a job at the top means a lot of people filter and screen what goes to the head man (headman used unintentionally)

however, in this case, it is being put to his attention directly, and he is showing, he does not have a full grasp of the growing problem

one things is for sure, we do.

he will either turn viciously on those who are causing him this tremendous loss of face,

or he risks an uprising in his country which brings him down.

Headman on Small Island destroys 40 year Legacy of General P

or, General P wipes Kho Tao clean of criminals

its one or the other, and he will soon see that

What about examples like this, where he did not need any two-legged filters, just those between his ears:

"Tourists think that Thailand is beautiful, safe and that they can do anything they want here. That they can put on their bikinis and go anywhere they want. I ask, can you get away with wearing bikinis in Thailand? Unless you are not beautiful?"

Personally, I was delighted that he stepped into a huge pile of horseshit with that comment as, it put him squarely in the case, unable to deny knowledge of it,

He wishes he feigned ignorance on this, I am sure of it

[bigjules007]

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No surprise there.

Well its looking more likely the killers could still be out there, while the BIB are deciding what to do next,

May I suggest the possibility this may not be such a unique event as first portrayed, others have been raped and even killed on KT recently

Time to start digging and looking for any other deaths, suicides, drownings rapes or serious beatings etc on Koh Tao and surrounding Islands over the years.

Watch the reports of rapes over this months full moon party or anything else of late like people winding up dead,

I reckon its worth looking into, a pattern may emerge.

To me it is looking more like;y the killers will got off Scott Free.

Guess this is what happens when you get a team of lawyers to assist you for free and publication.

Worked for O.J.!

I cant believe your still trolling on thess threads, after all the discrepancies that have been found in this investigation, and your still Pro RTP, well either you are actually a member of the RTP or some kind of sad sympathiser, possibly with some kind of business interest with them. Then again you could be a bar owner on Koh Tao for all i know, stranger things have happened you know.

Keep spouting your rubbish, we are used to it now, and most of us just ignore you, i just felt id put my 2 pence in this time because your comments are sickening.

This case is the total oppossite to OJ's case! Everyone new OJ was guilty, fleeing the murder scene, blood on gloves, blood in car and he got off because of bad police work and contaminated evidence, he also had a motive and a domestic violence history with his Ex Wife.

These boys are a couple of migrants plucked from the beach as scapegoats by the RTP who are trying to cover up something far more sinister then just these murders, i think who ever is responsible for the murders of Hannah and David are also responsible for other murders/rapes committed on Kao Tao too.

This is a bigger cover up then most of you think!

[DennisF]

I think many are writing off the General a bit early.

They may be right but his job is a big one and he said before the coup that soldiers do not make good politicians.....

....A lot of posters on TV, me included, gave a sigh of relief at the coup and welcomed the General as a potential new

broom with a sweeping agenda.

Soldiers have no place forming juntas and effecting (illegal) coups.

Why would the 'general' be a new broom. Was there no corruption in the previous 6 decades of military rule? Who controls the oil smuggling? Who controls the import and distribution of heroin, yaba, etc? Who has regularly massacred it's own citizens? Who has committed terrible human rights abuses that still continue?

And why would he go against one, Tuwichian, whom is a very big supporter of the amaart?

Me thinks you need a lesson in how democratic states work and what role militaries should take.

The murder cover-up here on Koh Tao, if bring down some high ranking cops may drag the 'general' down with them. Governments have fallen in other countries because of scandals of a lesser nature than this.

Cheers.

You make some valid points but this is Asia, not Bradford and there is a different mindset here.

Whether we agree with it or not is immaterial, some of us live here and live within the advantages and disadvantages of the Asian way of life and politics.

There may well be a line of command that affects the General, but that is supposition.

Tuwichian is small fry in the Bankok Elite mentality regardless of who he supports, if it comes down ( which it may) to him or the

PM then he is toast.

Many of us hoped, and still do, that the new leader is somewhat less corrupt than previous ones and that would be a step forward.

No one is saying he can clean up all the mess in a year for some of the reasons you outlined.

But there can be progress and this sad case and international attention may be just the what it needs to kickstart it.

[salween]

sadly, a job at the top means a lot of people filter and screen what goes to the head man (headman used unintentionally)

however, in this case, it is being put to his attention directly, and he is showing, he does not have a full grasp of the growing problem

one things is for sure, we do.

he will either turn viciously on those who are causing him this tremendous loss of face,

or he risks an uprising in his country which brings him down.

Headman on Small Island destroys 40 year Legacy of General P

or, General P wipes Kho Tao clean of criminals

its one or the other, and he will soon see that

What about examples like this, where he did not need any two-legged filters, just those between his ears:

"Tourists think that Thailand is beautiful, safe and that they can do anything they want here. That they can put on their bikinis and go anywhere they want. I ask, can you get away with wearing bikinis in Thailand? Unless you are not beautiful?"

Personally, I was delighted that he stepped into a huge pile of horseshit with that comment as, it put him squarely in the case, unable to deny knowledge of it,

He wishes he feigned ignorance on this, I am sure of it

He sure did not demonstrate such wishes today, but once again came out swinging:

“We must build foreign confidence and make Britain and other foreign nations understand. They might be a little surprised why the criminals were caught so quickly. I myself was excited. I want all Thais to stop and think that authorities have procedures in place. Nobody would dare catch the wrong person because this is a case of big international interest.”

[SteveFong]

sadly, a job at the top means a lot of people filter and screen what goes to the head man (headman used unintentionally)

however, in this case, it is being put to his attention directly, and he is showing, he does not have a full grasp of the growing problem

one things is for sure, we do.

he will either turn viciously on those who are causing him this tremendous loss of face,

or he risks an uprising in his country which brings him down.

Headman on Small Island destroys 40 year Legacy of General P

or, General P wipes Kho Tao clean of criminals

its one or the other, and he will soon see that

What about examples like this, where he did not need any two-legged filters, just those between his ears:

"Tourists think that Thailand is beautiful, safe and that they can do anything they want here. That they can put on their bikinis and go anywhere they want. I ask, can you get away with wearing bikinis in Thailand? Unless you are not beautiful?"

Personally, I was delighted that he stepped into a huge pile of horseshit with that comment as, it put him squarely in the case, unable to deny knowledge of it,

He wishes he feigned ignorance on this, I am sure of it

He sure did not demonstrate such wishes today, but once again came out swinging:

“We must build foreign confidence and make Britain and other foreign nations understand. They might be a little surprised why the criminals were caught so quickly. I myself was excited. I want all Thais to stop and think that authorities have procedures in place. Nobody would dare catch the wrong person because this is a case of big international interest.”

He hasn't been embarrassed enough yet, to turn on the people who are destroying his credibility, because, like a cancer, he doesn't know he has been stricken yet,

this tumor is growing fast, but he doesn't feel it yet

but, that is coming

as we go into the weekend, there is more spreading of the story, and more people becoming incensed with this

Ultimately, someone is going to have to get Sean McAnna to make a statement with immunity

[Strangebrew]

Guess the beating wore off HUH RTP? and so suicide out of picture too there Warden.

[Strangebrew]

Police study but major is bribery and scamming 101. b-ll scratching was also taken.

[joecoolfrog]

If sites are now being blocked then it could be a sign that siege mentality is taking hold.

[DennisF]

If sites are blocked you are redirected to an official page.

That is not happening.

Too many unsubstantiated rumours are being fed by a few who cannot connect, probably duje to their service provider.

To the best of my knowledge the government has not instigated any blocking regarding this investigation.

[EnglishJohn]

It's funny that people are trying to use this to destroy the credibility of Prayuth.

I assume they are Pheu-Thai supporters. What do they think would have happened if they were in charge ?. Case closed after one week.

At least the General is trying. It must be a real shock for the BiB and their straining shirt buttons.

Alas I am now of the opinion that corruption is past the point of no return in Thailand. It will never change. This case stinks and that means important people have interfered.

[HerIndoors]

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan has a history of getting up the BIB noses...why? because she is fearless and usually correct. She would have been the last person they would have wanted near the scene.

[foxteen]

No surprise there.

Well its looking more likely the killers could still be out there, while the BIB are deciding what to do next,

May I suggest the possibility this may not be such a unique event as first portrayed, others have been raped and even killed on KT recently

Time to start digging and looking for any other deaths, suicides, drownings rapes or serious beatings etc on Koh Tao and surrounding Islands over the years.

Watch the reports of rapes over this months full moon party or anything else of late like people winding up dead,

I reckon its worth looking into, a pattern may emerge.

Yes you right

[flyingdoc]

I am concerned about official suggestions that the two accused could be susceptible to a possible suicide attempt.

Surely even in Thai prisons, they know how to conduct suicide watch and take proper precautions? If these two were to die now with so much doubt about the case awash throughout the world, it would be a very dark day indeed for Justice in Thailand.

[abitmiffed]

I am concerned about official suggestions that the two accused could be susceptible to a possible suicide attempt.

Surely even in Thai prisons, they know how to conduct suicide watch and take proper precautions? If these two were to die now with so much doubt about the case awash throughout the world, it would be a very dark day indeed for Justice in Thailand.

Dont you get it? They want the boys dead case closed.

[jomcondo]

Thailand will defend its mafia sons no matter what it seems.

It doesn't deserve one baht in tourist revenue.

What a way to treat the tourists!

[Number 3]

I am concerned about official suggestions that the two accused could be susceptible to a possible suicide attempt.

Surely even in Thai prisons, they know how to conduct suicide watch and take proper precautions? If these two were to die now with so much doubt about the case awash throughout the world, it would be a very dark day indeed for Justice in Thailand.

Dont you get it? They want the boys dead case closed.

Myanmar President Thein Sein and Chief of staff Gen Min Aung Hlaing are taking this case personally. They will send a team of Myanmar Federal Ministers and frorensic experts to Thailand. Britain may not intervene but the Burmese Gov will. Posted today on AD. Myanmar prepared to step in is astonishing frankly. Thailand may see this move as simply ignorant and disrespectful and causing a greater divide than has existed for hundreds of years already. Their three nationals are not dead yet but two British nationals are. Where is the FO, at least communicating with those nationals that are suffering through this along with the families. Kents an extension we need to all bear in mind, however it is now evident that the BE is failing us here. Wait a safe distance by all means then be seen as a puppet of a military junta. Humiliating.

[scorecard]

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With some notable exceptions, Thai police are generally poorly educated and not very bright but their careers start with paying bribes to pass the police entrance exams. Those who get promoted to regional commands continue this trend but must also be aggressive and hungry with proven track records of passing enough money up the pyramids. They have to pay for plum jobs, followed by monthly fixed retainers. Jobs in tourist resorts are especially lucrative and command a premium. It is said that the Pattaya police chief job is worth B20 million a month in gross income before payment of the fixed retainer, so you can imagine how much the upfront premium might be for that job. Koh Tao and Koh Phangnan, which supervises Koh Tao, are not in the league of Pattaya, Phuket and Samui but they must also be lucrative posts. In addition to the daily crime busting work seen by the public police have responsibility to supervise a number of important businesses in partnership with local mafias, including protection rackets, illegal aliens, taxi scams smuggling of licquor, tobacco and oil, drug distribution, illegal lotteries and other forms of gambling, forest reserve encroachment, distribution of illegal cut wood etc etc.

Can you wonder that they are cosy with local mafias and resent being forced to do regular police work along with the intrusion of social media in their perfect little world?

An excellent post; those of us from West, if perhaps not exactly enamoured of the police in our own countries, at least expect a certain standard of selection, training and professionalism. In general nepotism and what one could call secular simony - payment for favours - are absent - a position of any authority has to be earned. By contrast, not just the RTP but almost any perceived lucrative profession in Thailand has the potential to be bought or 'donated'. Little wonder then at the mess that has been and continues to be made of this desperately sad murder investigation.

And it's not only the RTP, all Thai ministries are staffed by incapable people at all levels and it shows. Thailand is not moving forward on many fronts because of this factor. This is why I hope that one specific reform will be absolutely focused on this point, making nepotism and payment for promotions highly illegal and install regulations which state that promotion is based purely on the proven capability to do the higher job and specific previous high performance. And total reorganization of entrance exams, example entry exam for RTP conducted by an outside body with zero police involvement.

It will of course need a mechanism to make any new regulations work and to lock them into place. That could be through a six monthly review process whereby say 40% of all promotions, selected at random by an independent body must show, to that body, full evidence / proof that the promotions selected were based on the new criteria and with the independent body interviewing various people involved. Plus severe punishment for all people caught still engaging in this process.

Sure this is a lot of work but without something like this nothing will change.

[metisdead]

Posts in violation of fair use policy have been removed as well as the replies:

14) You will not post any copyrighted material except as fair use laws apply (as in the case of news articles). Please only post a link, the headline and the first three sentences.

[BradWilkins]

Chances are the DNA evidence was corrupted too .The ideal outcome for Thailand was always that the murderers were foreigners and it seemed from the start the police and officials were always wanting that outcome so as to not damage Thailand's reputation and tourism.

[phuketandsee]

"it is now evident that the BE is failing us here"

Sorry, not enough coffee yet. Who is BE?

[phuketandsee]

CSI LA Working again this morning. Must have just been busy last night, not blocked.

[MK1]

Sadly, the main reason why cases like these fall apart is because of the lack of expertise in forensic science is almost nonexistent in Thailand. This is also because the RTP expect the people who are highly educated in this area to work for a pittance until the case is concluded. It’s only when cases like this don’t stick, do they ever bother calling the likes of Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan. By then; it’s all too late. Moreover, RTP also fear people smarter than them in particular women exposing their poor work.

[phuketandsee]

Maybe the UK government is stirring:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security

"Western tourists including British nationals have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by individuals and gangs in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (the Samui archipelago)"

TAT is going to love this!

[phanangpete]

.

She is award winning forensic scientist, she resolved many murder cases in Thailand, should have volunteered to investigate the case to save the Thai's reputation. Probably someone don't want her to be investigating the case ? This raises million questions. Now I would be surprised if they can prove the right culprit ??? or case is now compromised after two guys commit suicide after the Thai police predictions now ?? It is time for Interpol to take this case by asking a report through International Human Rights commission.

Apart from being an Award winning forensic scientist, she is also another corrupt Thai official!!

She made a substancial amount of money by giving the green light for the useless "bombdetectors" bought for the South!!

She couldn't care less if this case is solved or not, but is lured out of the woodwork for another 15 minutes in the limelight.

And why come forward after almost 3 weeks??

After all she is Thai , therefore if no financial reward in it for her , she would not get involved.

The Police did not want her to give her expertise ,cause it would have blown their case !

[phanangpete]

What will RTP do now?

Murder them in prison. Avoids the embarrassment of a trial they might lose. They can leave it like that implying the suspects were guilty, leaving the real killer/ rapists at large to strike again.

Yes so true, that bar on Koh Tao, is where they hang out !

[phuketandsee]

Maybe the BIB can learn from the US police: