Suspects in Koh Tao backpacker murders retract confessions, says official

[hobz]

I wonder if the brittish embassador still thinks this is a perfect job by the thai police.... he should get fired..

[Rykbanlor]

Are you really surprise by all the revelations and allegations? You shouldn't be. Are you really that enraged by all that has gone on which again only reinforces the belief that anyone that is not Thai is considered nothing short of cattle? You shouldn't be.

What you should be is righteous enough to do what is required.... LEAVE Thailand and leave now. I walked out after the second day and I won't return until this and other pressing issues are fixed. It's time the expat community did more than sitting on a bar stool moaning about the situation.

IMHO - all those who remain only fuel the continuation of the abuse and are in fact no better than the Thai authorities who continue abusing people's human rights for their own nationalistic agenda.

Is it lonely up there on your pedestal?

I jest, but try and remember we're not all titty-bar-flies and some people have lives businesses, homes and children to deal with. Not everyone can just march over the border the moment it goes pear-shaped.

And what about all the Thai people who have to put up with this shit. Should they all just leave as well.

I appreciate your point but think about it a bit before you get all high and mighty, judging everyone else.

It's easy enough if you don't have a proper job or any long term ties. I am disgusted with this investigation, but it's not a reflection of the majority of Thai people that I have met and know.

I'd prefer to just not visit Koh a Tao, and encourage people to consider if it is a place that they should go to.

Absolutely agreed Toad. Apparently contradictory to the great many posters on here the majority of my friends are Thai, they are educated, progressive and self-deprecating about their country and the problems it faces from corruption.

[Rykbanlor]

I wonder if the brittish embassador still thinks this is a perfect job by the thai police.... he should get fired..

Hobz, try and keep up with the news before you comment. This was identified as misinformation 2 days ago

[koele2]

http://liberez-somyot.over-blog.com/2014/10/koh-tao-un-membre-d-une-famille-mafieuse-locale-serait-il-le-responsable-du-meurtre-des-deux-jeunes-touristes-britanniques.htm

Interesting alternative theory. Came across it on CSI LA site

[fxe1200]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thailand-beach-death-parents-convinced-4410135

Another one

How many from other countries?

http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/thailand-polizei-nach-mord-an-britischen-touristen-am-pranger-a-996128.html

The German magazine "Der Spiegel"

[coma]

So these guys have gone from having a quiet drink, singing songs on the beach, peacefully away from the "scene", to turning feral and totally destroying two people's lives in such a brutal manner? They don't even look big / fit enough to do what they are accused of.

[brizzle]

What has begun to amaze me is that posters on here are coming together.Before this tragedy we would infight with each other about the daily events in Thailand. ( Too many subjects to list ).Can we all be wrong about this topic?

You are right but whatever the news we will always have the other RTP ...the Rosy specs, Thailand can do no wrong ,People who will continue to be in denial whatever they hear.

For the ''People'' part others may substitute less polite terms as they see fit.

For goodness sake, I am sure these people must spend their lives in Thailand for ever saying ''sorry my fault''.

[spermwhale]

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

I am very surprised that Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan now saying this before rope in at the crime scene.

"Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, head of Thailand’s forensic science institute, reportedly asked why an expert was not used to collect samples following the murders and why qualified experts seemed not to have been involved in the case, which involved police are were also relying on DNA evidence."

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.

The problem is that the police hate her because she has often contradicted their bumbling efforts to "solve crimes." She has been sidelined for years when she should be running the police forensics teams. CSI Thailand

[TTom911]

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.

[Number 3]

Koh Tao Suspects' Alleged Recantation 'Normal,' Police Officer Says

By Khosod English

SURAT THANI - A senior police officer has downplayed a news report that claims the two Burmese migrants accused of murdering two British tourists recanted their "confessions" this week.

"The suspects have every rights under the law to retract their testimony," said Pol.Col. Prachum Ruengthong, chief of Koh Pha Ngan Police Station, whose jurisdiction covers Koh Tao island where the murders took place.

"In many other cases, suspects also recant their confessions during trial. It's normal," Pol.Col. Prachum said.

His comment came a few days after a report from the Myanmar-based 7 Daily newspaper claimed the two Burmese suspects, named Saw and Win, retracted their "confession" to murdering the two Britons, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, on the popular island of Koh Tao on 15 September.

According to the report, a lawyer from the Burmese embassy said the two suspects told him they did not commit the murder, contrary to Thai police's claim that the men confessed shortly after they were arrested.

However, several other news reports quoted the lawyer as saying the two men did confess to the murder, although the details of their testimony remained murky leading him to believe the case may have been a "set-up."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1412922329

-- Khaosod English 2014-10-10

Many people will also confess their innocence when they are innocent. It is also normal.

RIP Burmese lads your courage and strength will be a shining example to us all.

A shadow of shame hangs over the bib. Cowards of zero moral standing. More respect for criminals.

Criminals in uniform that profess to be something other than criminals make me vomit. I do not vomit easily but you all are disgusting. You disgust me.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

This is just not egg on RTP face, it's the whole (deleted) Thai omelette. What a huge loss of face for them.

[TTom911]

We all know that absolutely no Thai authority will look into any "pattern". They dont know how, and, more importanly, they simply dont want to....

[razer]

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.

Nick Pearson, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller ...All at Choppers Bar and Grill the night they were murdered

[mrtoad]

The BIB continue to shame the nation. The R should certainly be removed from the RTP

[freedom4life]

"Thailand’s most prominent forensic investigator has questioned why an expert in the area was not used to collect samples following the discovery on 15 September of the murdered Britons, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, on Koh Tao island."

So are they saying the DNA evidence is not valid?

That looks to me like what what the lady effectively just said yes.

i dont see how it can be anything than invalid if it wasnt handled under strict expert forensic supervision when collected

That was no accident by the way...

[IAMSOBAD]

Put the two Thai suspects in the box with real cops and get to the truth. Forget the DNA...these Thai punks are sissies and will sing like a bird without Daddy there.

Typical Mafia Family Cover up..

The new soap opera idea for you know who to write.

Edited October 10, 2014 by IAMSOBAD

[klauskunkel]

State prosecutor advises police to fix some flaws in the tourist murder case before court trial

This must confusing to the BiB who clearly thought that the fix was in already

[sgtsabai]

Interesting, both the links littlebw posted are blocked by some official looking symbol.

[12DrinkMore]

Mr Banana Pancake the Rohingya 'interpreter' who participated in the beating and confessions in action from the Irrawaddy FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=853663321344488

At 4:00 Mr Pancake asserts that that Wyn started off the killing spree by hitting David over the hit with a large wine bottle. So that's another murder weapon. He also says Hannah and David were having sex, in spite of no DNA evidence supporting that theory.

He speaks Thai with a heavy Indian accent. I wonder what his Burmese sounds like and how good is written Thai was to read back and translate the Thai confessions they were forced to sign. I also wonder what his work permit and visa look like, since Rohingya's are stateless.

He did seem to take his job very seriously.

He is accused of joining in the alleged beatings handed out during the interrogation. Wonder how that went?

"Whack" as a Thai kick lands in the groin.

"Just a second, I'd better translate that"

"Whack" as a Pancake kick lands in the groin.

"Now do you understand?"

[Dogmatix]

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

I am very surprised that Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan now saying this before rope in at the crime scene.

"Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, head of Thailand’s forensic science institute, reportedly asked why an expert was not used to collect samples following the murders and why qualified experts seemed not to have been involved in the case, which involved police are were also relying on DNA evidence."

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.

The problem is that the police hate her because she has often contradicted their bumbling efforts to "solve crimes." She has been sidelined for years when she should be running the police forensics teams. CSI Thailand

She has recently been reinstated as D-G of the Central Institute of Forensic Science. That is part of the Justice Ministry, not the police. The police have their own central forensic science unit in Bangkok and call on a very small number pathologists working in government hospitals on a case by case basis. They are not obliged to call in the CIFS. It is like the DSI which is also part of the Justice Ministry which can be called in by police, if they can't handle a case or think they have a conflict, or can be ordered in by the PM or a DPM.

Obviously none of those things happened in this case for obvious reasons. However, Pornthip is not complaining that police didn't call her dept, although that would have been a good idea. She is complaining that they didn't even follow their own basic procedure by calling in the nearest pathologist from the government hospital in Surat Thani and not sealing off the crime scene, allowing tourists and local mobsters to prod around at the evidence. The police just collected evidence themselves as they saw fit. Hence the lack of finger prints, DNA disappeared from the inside of the condom etc etc.

I met her some years ago during Thaksin's war on drugs. She described how police disturbed corpses and put guns and bags of drugs in their hands and how police pathologists in the provinces sign crime scene reports prepared by police the next day without having to get out of bed or ever visiting the scene. She is a cancer survivor and a very courageous woman. She says she has no doubt she would have been murdered at that time, if she was a man.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Dogmatix

[brizzle]

This is just not egg on RTP face, it's the whole (deleted) Thai omelette. What a huge loss of face for them.

Yes and they chose to lose face on the biggest stage of them all....it's called the World. Amazing really amazing.

[darren84310]

I am very surprised that Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan now saying this before rope in at the crime scene.

"Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, head of Thailand’s forensic science institute, reportedly asked why an expert was not used to collect samples following the murders and why qualified experts seemed not to have been involved in the case, which involved police are were also relying on DNA evidence."

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.

Whilst the Burmese workers heads are on the block, according to the police, the crime scene has not been compromised.... See how fast that all changes if they are cleared and they find evidence that it was Thai nationals.

[catweazle]

Let's all hope the corrupt cops will not hang the two or poison or beat them to death like announced in another article, "Koh Samui prison chief fears Koh Tao murder suspects may commight suicide." Given all the history of this case and other Koh Tao related killings and crimes it is clear that the police over there is covering permanently for one or more serial killers who believe they are untouchable. The Koh Samui (Samui, a corrupt and mafia-controlled cesspit like Koh Tao) prison chief's concern could basically be an order to his Koh Tao cronies in disguise telling them to "take the Burmese guys out" enabling them to wrap up the case...

Now, with the world watching and waiting I believe it is time for the army to step in and clear all three mafia islands (Koh Tao, Phangan and Samui) simultaneously and without warning. A Gen. PM stepping in front of cameras announcing to international media that he liberated three islands in Thailand from century old mafia structures over the course of a few days with all family members and corrupt officials in jail would be hailed a hero by all nations and tourism as well as confidence in Thailand would return. Difficult it will be though to prevent opportunists from taking over the empty mafia thrones. Best then to reshuffle police forces on a quarter year term and have a fixed army base on each island patrouling the beaches at night with officers in charge reshuffled quarterly or every half year to prevent corruption.

Said also should be that I have never seen almost each and everyone in this forum being in agreement by over 90%. This is the first time after over 1.200 posts that I feel TV is worth the time and effort to post here. Thank you to all TV members (also the ones who created dummies and posted through them) who continued to post infos and messages that opposed the official version of Hannah's and David's rape and murder desptite the threats of the RTP to punish social media users who dare to question the crooked official version. People still have power - the framed Burmese suspects retracting their confessions along with international media now questioning the investigation proofs it. And it feels great!

Edited October 10, 2014 by catweazle

[coma]

Mr Banana Pancake the Rohingya 'interpreter' who participated in the beating and confessions in action from the Irrawaddy FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=853663321344488

At 4:00 Mr Pancake asserts that that Wyn started off the killing spree by hitting David over the hit with a large wine bottle. So that's another murder weapon. He also says Hannah and David were having sex, in spite of no DNA evidence supporting that theory.

He speaks Thai with a heavy Indian accent. I wonder what his Burmese sounds like and how good is written Thai was to read back and translate the Thai confessions they were forced to sign. I also wonder what his work permit and visa look like, since Rohingya's are stateless.

I like how they report at the end that a some undercover police officers walked up to them as they were doing the interview and " listened " in. You can see the moment the police officer may have arrived when you see the interpreter's face light up like a Xmas tree at the 3 minute mark.

[IamNoone88]

If they are indeed guilty they may walk free given the balls up. And if they are in fact innocent, they could get hanged. Eitherway its a SNAFU.

[oneday]

The Thai authorities are way to quick to label falang deaths as either accidental or suicide. There are probably numerous murders covered up in this country or simply go undiscovered because of corruption or shear incompetence. It amazes me how many people fall from balconies of tall buildings in this country.

[McQwaid]

Has this made the Thai press yet?

That's what I'm thinking?

I've been reading that the Burma suspects have taken back their confession for a couple days now but other recent news reports suggest that this hasn't happened?

One press release from Aung San Suu Kyi requesting due process would be a life(s) saver!

Please someone - protect these two "Suspects" from harm before the trial

[Trentham]

Are you really surprise by all the revelations and allegations? You shouldn't be. Are you really that enraged by all that has gone on which again only reinforces the belief that anyone that is not Thai is considered nothing short of cattle? You shouldn't be.

What you should be is righteous enough to do what is required.... LEAVE Thailand and leave now. I walked out after the second day and I won't return until this and other pressing issues are fixed. It's time the expat community did more than sitting on a bar stool moaning about the situation.

IMHO - all those who remain only fuel the continuation of the abuse and are in fact no better than the Thai authorities who continue abusing people's human rights for their own nationalistic agenda.

"LEAVE Thailand and leave now" Easier said than done. Many of us have Thai wives and children. We have businesses here. We own our homes here. Better we try and inform and educate the Thais we are in contact with daily. A lot of expats packing up and leaving is not going to stop the corruption here.

[salan]

This needs intervention ASAP. RTP are too incompetent,

https://www.change.org/p/the-government-of-the-united-kingdom-independently-investigate-the-horrific-murders-of-hannah-witheridge-and-david-miller?recruiter=161962204&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

I mean for goodness sake they (RTP) are now bribing their traffic police not to take bribes.

[ffaarraanngg]

The BIB continue to shame the nation. The R should certainly be removed from the RTP

If what is in post 102 is correct then it is the Junta who are doing the cover up.