British envoy meets Thai, Myanmar officials on murder probe

[webfact]

British envoy meets Thai, Myanmar officials on murder probe
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Britain's top envoy in Thailand met Thai and Myanmar officials in Bangkok Tuesday to discuss the investigation into the murder of two British tourists, as concerns mount over the handling of the probe.

Thai police have charged two migrant workers from Myanmar with the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, after the tourists' battered bodies were found on the southern island of Koh Tao on September 15.

Police have said the men confessed to the crime and their DNA matched samples taken from Witheridge's body.

But unease over the case has deepened amid reports that the suspects were tortured into confessing -- an allegation Thailand has strongly denied.

British Ambassador Mark Kent told AFP he was meeting with the Thai police, foreign ministry officials and his Myanmar counterpart, without giving further details.

Before the meeting an official from the Myanmar president's office in Naypyidaw told AFP he hoped the talks "would help bring a fair and genuine investigation" into the case, which many have accused Thai authorities of mishandling.

"We hope Thai authorities will act with balance and accuracy to prosecute the offenders according to the law and not take action wrongly against those who didn't commit the crime," he said, requesting anonymity.

On Monday the British government summoned Thailand's top diplomatic representative in London to stress "real concern" about the handling of the investigation.

In a statement junior foreign minister Hugo Swire "reiterated that the UK police stood ready to assist with the investigation and subsequent legal process".

It is unclear if Thailand has responded to the offer of help.

The arrests followed intense scrutiny of Thai authorities, which had been accused -- in criticism led by the British media -- of bungling the investigation in the days after the crime.

The grisly murders on the normally tranquil Thai island delivered a fresh blow to the kingdom's image as a tourist haven after months of political protests that ended in May's army coup.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-10-14

[Costas2008]

"It is unclear if Thailand has responded to the offer of help."

Everything is unclear on this case.

First they have to be sure they can cover all the tampering of the evidence they have done and then may be they will allow the British to contact an investigation.

And the outcome?

Due to loss of vital evidence the British police was unable to come to a conclusive decision.

[HeijoshinCool]

I normally don't speculate, but I'm guessing both these meetings might be a very diplomatic way of giving the Thai government a chance to save Face.

Quite possibly the British have done their own DNA workup, quietly done some other investigation, and have strong evidence of what really happened, and who did it.

So yesterday's "summons," and now this meeting, might be a gentle warning: Get your ducks in a row and arrest the right people ….

[dcutman]

British Ambassador Mark Kent told AFP he was meeting with the Thai police, foreign ministry officials and his Myanmar counterpart, without giving further details.

I will be expecting a Thai official reiterating how happy the British and Burmese embassies are about the handling of this case.

[evadgib]

FCO Minister summons Thai Chargé d’Affaires to Foreign Office

[SPB65]

It looks like the Brits have probably collected enough evidence behind the scenes to make a mockery of everything the Thais have been doing. This will a huge face saving exercise now. It's also about time Thailand had a proper dressing down from the international community.

[thesetat2013]

I keep reading the British initiated the complaints that the RTP were handling this case incompetently but i believe the Thai forums were complaining about this long before the British jumped on the badwagon

[bertty]

I keep reading the British initiated the complaints that the RTP were handling this case incompetently but i believe the Thai forums were complaining about this long before the British jumped on the badwagon

Lets not turn it into a 'My Dad is bigger than your Dad' debate, huh.

Edited October 14, 2014 by bertty

[AGareth2]

I hope they have a nice cup of tea

[lostinisaan]

Would be great to find out how they could one of the most important witnesses leave the island. The Scottish guy named "Sean."

Let's hope that Scotland Yard did its own research.

[Artisi]

I keep reading the British initiated the complaints that the RTP were handling this case incompetently but i believe the Thai forums were complaining about this long before the British jumped on the badwagon

That would appear to be true to some, but it is easy for Thai forum members to say, intimate, report what every they like. However the British government has a little bit more style and a few hundred years more experience in cutting off the legs of the riff-raff once getting all their ducks lined up.

Note . For interest- I'm not a Brit.

[Fred Flinstone]

If these Burmese are found guilty without the satisfaction of the western observers , e.g. Confirmation of DNA tests-

Then sentenced to 30-40 years or death *(most likely)

Or worse eliminated by a said angry inmate - or Suicide claims -

This case will escalate into an international spotlight that would damage tourism even more so.

DNA tests by UK refused?

Thailand doesn't want to do this for a very clear reason.

It is unsure or knows the results would draw a big blank.

That would be back to the drawing board with the season fast approaching -

So they are doing the unthinkable and ploughing straight ahead with all their eggs in this basket.

Thinking to kill these men will appease eventually-

How out of touch they are with western culture .

Its remarkable-

Now the situation has escalated to such a point that they must admit error - or allow proof that can beyond reasonable doubt conclude their guilt.

DNA tests by UK forensic people is the only path left open in such massive world glare.

This has gone way past social media frenzy-

Its now on an international level .

UK being the far greater player in this not so funny stand off.

Countries like America - New Zealand - Australia - and indeed parts of Asia including Thais themselves are focused on this case and its outcome.

Time is running out for them to come clean

Edited October 14, 2014 by Fred Flinstone

[Local Drunk]

I keep reading the British initiated the complaints that the RTP were handling this case incompetently but i believe the Thai forums were complaining about this long before the British jumped on the badwagon

The Thais were and are complaining on their own forums... Thing is that their comments and opinions are usually written in Thai really go no further than Thailand. It's the foreigners who have kept this case in the international spotlight. You should be old enough to know that western governments only react when sufficient public pressure is applied. And that begs the question of how will the Thai government respond to this? It seems to be well over the heads of the police at this point.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Local Drunk

[greenchair]

I can't seem to get on the csi website. Is it shut .down? Did anybody hear anymore the brits Having the Burmese dna.

[Expat Girl]

I keep reading the British initiated the complaints that the RTP were handling this case incompetently but i believe the Thai forums were complaining about this long before the British jumped on the badwagon

Diplomacy by it's very nature is a 'closed doors' affair which inevitably fuels the belief on said forums that 'the Embassy ain't doing nuffink', particularly among Brits. The truth is usually very different, as has become apparent this week. Posters should perhaps bear this in mind before taking to their keyboards...

Well said, so many people on here criticising the British Government for doing nothing, yet a lot of activity has been occurring in the background. I am sure Mark Kent did not decide just to have a meeting today, it will have been planned for several days. I am sure the British Government have information the Thai Police may not have been privy to and are looking for a diplomatic solution before it is released.

Ahhh makes you proud to be one her Majesties Loyal Subjects (just send over Daniel Craig aka James Bond now and i will be happy)

[love1012]

"It is unclear if Thailand has responded to the offer of help."

Everything is unclear on this case.

First they have to be sure they can cover all the tampering of the evidence they have done and then may be they will allow the British to contact an investigation.

And the outcome?

Due to loss of vital evidence the British police was unable to come to a conclusive decision.

"Everything is unclear on this case."

Not true............it is VERY clear that the Police will stop at nothing to protect Thai mafia killers - we know who did it - they went to University with scratches all over their arms on the Monday after the murders and took a day off after they had just taken an early morning speedboat from the Island so that they could be caught on camera - Thai people want justice for this as well - Boycott Koh Tao till mafia are arrested and sentenced.! An end to Chao Poh and police corruption in Thailand!!

http://mikeestravels.com/2014/09/25/the-dark-side-of-thailands-island-paradise/

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

Edited October 14, 2014 by love1012

[Sviss Geez]

FCO Minister summons Thai Chargé d’Affaires to Foreign Office

We know, it's in the OP.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Sviss Geez

[Neeranam]

I can't seem to get on the csi website. Is it shut .down? Did anybody hear anymore the brits Having the Burmese dna.

Do you mean the facebook site? I get on it. https://www.facebook.com/CSILA90210?ref=br_tf

[mrtoad]

The BIB totally underestimated the worldwide exposure this case got, the power of social media, and the outrage both of Thai and westerners.

Lot of stuff in the past got covered up, just by doing the investigation the way they started out - but tough luck for the incompetent dinosaurs, the world is a smaller place, and people rightly are questioning it.

Will Somyot be the sacrificial lamb for this mass screw up?

[love1012]

The BIB totally underestimated the worldwide exposure this case got, the power of social media, and the outrage both of Thai and westerners.

Lot of stuff in the past got covered up, just by doing the investigation the way they started out - but tough luck for the incompetent dinosaurs, the world is a smaller place, and people rightly are questioning it.

Will Somyot be the sacrificial lamb for this mass screw up?

Its not a screw up - i believe there is a saying "what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceIve"! RTP & BIB know what they are doing - it is the only way they can protect the wrongdoing of Island mafia and take their cut!! They are so obviously wrong that they are only able to decieve - hit tourism and they will care - it could happen again very easily and if it did the Police would cover it up just the same - see Kristy in Chang Mai 14 years later

[Boxclever]

I suspect (very strongly) that the order to charge a non Thai came from El Generalissimo. Bringing happiness back to the Thai people my ass!

[Local Drunk]

The BIB totally underestimated the worldwide exposure this case got, the power of social media, and the outrage both of Thai and westerners.

Lot of stuff in the past got covered up, just by doing the investigation the way they started out - but tough luck for the incompetent dinosaurs, the world is a smaller place, and people rightly are questioning it.

Will Somyot be the sacrificial lamb for this mass screw up?

What it should do is hopefully to force a reform the RTP... The army or PM could shut down TV any time they want, but they aren't. They want the truth out. Revenge is a very patient game in Asia. To wit: there is no love lost between the army and the police.

[Local Drunk]

I suspect (very strongly) that the order to charge a non Thai came from El Generalissimo. Bringing happiness back to the Thai people my ass!

Rubbish! Please try to get a grip reality.

[iReason]

"... reports that the suspects were tortured into confessing -- an allegation Thailand has strongly denied."

Really? Everyone?

[TV7]

i am amused by the amount of faith shown in the British foreign office and embassy. i might ask why they didn't question the course of the investigation much earlier, like when the Thai police ruled out the possibility that the culprits could be Thais and took to randomly DNA testing Burmese migrants and even placed the victims' British friends under suspicion. And when the Thai police released graphic crime scene photos and evidence to the media, upsetting the victims' families in Britain and potentially leading to a mistrial. It's all a bit late now. Who knows how much DNA and other evidence has been tampered with to create the result the Thai tourism industry needs? Britain has only been stirred into belated action following a request from the Burmese government to involve Scotland Yard. Which suggests that the British foreign office is more concerned with regional diplomacy than getting justice for its citizens.

[dcutman]

This could be a very effective tool to get Thailand, its police and owners of shady establishments to clean up their act.http://www.kohtao.asia/food-and-drink/bars-and-night-clubs.html

Much more effective than these clowns diplomats tugging at each other. Who knows you might just save some lives.

Read the comments on this site, and post how you feel while you are there. And when you are finished there go to any of the hundreds of others and post there as well.

Edited October 14, 2014 by dcutman

[evadgib]

FCO Minister summons Thai Chargé d’Affaires to Foreign Office

We know, it's in the OP.

[/quote/]

The full text compliments the thread tho eh?:|

Edited October 14, 2014 by evadgib

[Baerboxer]

Would be great to find out how they could one of the most important witnesses leave the island. The Scottish guy named "Sean."

Let's hope that Scotland Yard did its own research.

Have you read his latest social media statements. He says he doesn't know who did it, and explains his former fb comments differently to how many of interpreted them. Makes it clear he was guessing the male victim went to try and rescue the lady, but only guessing.

Not really the key witness he's been made out to be - which he blames on the media inventing things.

[love1012]

I suspect (very strongly) that the order to charge a non Thai came from El Generalissimo. Bringing happiness back to the Thai people my ass!

Rubbish! Please try to get a grip reality.

Your name sums you up well Mister!!

[TV7]

Would be great to find out how they could one of the most important witnesses leave the island. The Scottish guy named "Sean."

Let's hope that Scotland Yard did its own research.

Have you read his latest social media statements. He says he doesn't know who did it, and explains his former fb comments differently to how many of interpreted them. Makes it clear he was guessing the male victim went to try and rescue the lady, but only guessing.

Not really the key witness he's been made out to be - which he blames on the media inventing things.

He was only made a 'key witness' by the conspiracy theory fantasists on here who want to make McCanna into a backpackers' hero despite all evidence to the contrary. He is/was an attention seeker who no doubt under the influence tried to make himself part of the story. At least he's now had the good sense to lie low.