Thailand agrees to British police help over murders

[Lite Beer]

Thailand agrees to British police help over murders
London, Royaume-Uni | AFP | Friday 10/17/2014

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has agreed to allow British police to help with the investigation into the murder of two young Britons on the holiday island of Koh Tao, diplomatic sources said Friday.

The head of the junta dropped his objections to a visit by British detectives following a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron on the margins of the ASEM summit of European and Asian leaders in Milan.

"What the prime minister secured this morning was agreement from the Thai prime minister that we can send some British police investigators to Koh Tao to work with the Royal Thai Police on this," a British diplomatic source said.

Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, after the tourists' battered bodies were found on Koh Tao on September 15.

Thai police have said the two suspects confessed to the crime and their DNA matched samples taken from Witheridge's body, but there have been accusations that the men were tortured -- something Thailand strongly denies.

"There are two areas we are particularly concerned about," said the diplomatic source.

"One is the verification of the DNA samples of the suspects, making sure there is further independent verification. And the second is the investigation into allegations of mistreatment of the suspects."

The source stressed that "obviously it is for the Thai authorities to lead and carry out that judicial process", but said it was important that it was "fair and transparent".

Britain summoned Thailand's top diplomat in London on Monday to lay out its "real concern" about the handling of the case and offer its support, while the British envoy in Bangkok also met top Thai officials to discuss the case.

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, when Prayut seized power.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-10-17

[Crossy]

About bl00dy time!

It remains to be seen just how much 'help' will be permitted.

[englishoak]

OH YEAA

This is what we wanted all along, objective reached.

BIG thanks to everyone who made a fuss and helped get the word out.

For once its one up to the good guys.

[draftvader]

I can't imagine they're going to get the access they require but rather be "hand held" around the evidence. Still they will know it is happening and be able to come back and tell their story!

[NeverSure]

Oh really? We'll see just how free they are to actually investigate.

[ScubaPhuket]

I don't think the thai police have the brains to play this game with the British. They will shoot themselves in the foot with every answer they give, every excuse/piece of evidence they produce & they won't even know they've done it until the British inquest is complete.

[MAJIC]

OH YEAA

This is what we wanted all along, objective reached.

BIG thanks to everyone who made a fuss and helped get the word out.

For once its one up to the good guys.

It's not over till the fat lady sings!

[draftvader]

OH YEAA

This is what we wanted all along, objective reached.

BIG thanks to everyone who made a fuss and helped get the word out.

For once its one up to the good guys.

It's not over till the fat lady sings!

She'll sing. Whether it will be the "the family did it!" song or "how corrupt was that?" song only time will tell.

[smedly]

My rating for both David Cameron and General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has just stepped up a notch, very sensible approach by both men - they have done the right thing and IMO Thailand has restored "face"

Lets see how this pans out

[smedly]

Lets try and keep the comments positive here no need for slander - this is a good result for all concerned

[SICA]

i don't get it..... I thought the investigation was "perfect" ! No? Not quite so perfect??

God help the poor British detectives who get to come out here. I'm sure that the red-tape won't tie them up, weigh them down and make them wish they'd never bothered. But at least it's something. Isn't it??

Edited October 17, 2014 by SICA

[Soiyamoto]

Many questions need answers. Man seen running away wearing victims shorts the mobile phone, certain peoples refusal for dna and many more maybe the brits can clear some of these up

[kaobang]

now even the telegraph calls Prayuth in a certain way...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11171148/British-police-to-fly-to-Thailand-to-probe-brutal-murder-of-two-young-tourists.html

[Somtamnication]

Well, by the time they get their work permits.......................................

[kaobang]

reminds me this movie

[daveAustin]

Pretty big deal in the scheme of things and doubtless some face lost, especially for the weak UK 'ambassador' to Thailand with his praise for the police's handling of the investigation. They'll get the runaround, no doubt, and it'll be like working with tetchy teenagers, but if the Thais do sandbag this (foregone conclusion) they could be looking at some interesting travel advisories.

[englishoak]

The UK police are well aware of this site, they will also be aware of the game being played.

Im satisfied that for the moment it looks like DNA will be getting a second look by professionals.

Best news about the case progressing since that tragic day.

[JeremyBowskill]

Guess the petition did some good after all....... Its a step in the right direction at least.

[wackybacky]

That is the first time I have EVER seen David get his balls out.

I would imagine he dropped a few hints about how much pressure he was getting from the public and media, so you better play ball with me.... so to speak.

I don't know just how cooperative the RTP are actually going to be.... But one thing is for sure.... Somyat must be crapping his pants if he knows there has been a cover up.

[CNXTim]

Maintain a positive attitude and if you agree, sign the petition;

http://www.change.org/p/the-government-of-the-united-kingdom-independently-investigate-the-horrific-murders-of-hannah-witheridge-and-david-miller

[IslandLover]

I just had to post this, it's priceless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6xexu_wJY

Bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do?

Watcha gonna do when they come for you?

Thanks to CSILA for the source, and the laughs

Edited October 17, 2014 by IslandLover

[wackybacky]

Mind you..... There is still this difference of opinion between Prayuth and Somyat, because The Nation is spinning the opposite story.

Foreign investigators barred from Thailand: police chief

"No matter what laws are taken into account, be it Britain's laws or those of other countries, foreign investigators cannot take part in cases that take place in Thailand as this would violate the Kingdom's sovereignty," the police chief insisted.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webmobile/national/Foreign-investigators-barred-from-Thailand-police--30245741.html

So Prayuth is saying Yes, and his mate is saying no..... Are they still connected on LINE or what?

Unless Prayuth has been stupidly trusting Somyat all this time and the latter obviously knowing a bit more of what is actually going on.

[gerry123]

i will wait for all this to materialize if it does at all obviously the Thai government representation at that meeting were put on a spot and responded with a quick get out statement without thinking of the possible outcome of their agreement

could be wrong lets see

[NongKhaiKid]

About bl00dy time!

It remains to be seen just how much 'help' will be permitted.

Exactly. I'm sure they will only be shown as little as possible, especially the contentious material, and requests for access met with ' no have ', ' cannot ' and other suitably weak excuses.

If it doesn't go well I sincerely hope the visitors don't get bound up by diplomacy and if appropriate make it clear they were not permitted to operate as they would have liked so their report is not as comprehensive as it should be.

[Hisseho]

OH YEAA

This is what we wanted all along, objective reached.

BIG thanks to everyone who made a fuss and helped get the word out.

For once its one up to the good guys.

No,

The only legitimate purpose would be the discovery of a different truth than the official.

- 2 Burmese DNA matches that found in the body of the victim ... or not.

Everything else is just chatter sterile notte that both were probably scrambling to confess.

And if the results correspond to the facts, the Thais will proclaim our illegitimate suspicion and consider a little more than our comments and views are worthless. That is the real issue now.

For me, I do not see how could have prevented the police to conduct these simplistic audits, and if the Thais give agreement that they are sure of their conclusions.

[wackybacky]

So much for Local Drunk and his entire day of trying to convince everyone that the petition was useless and wouldn't make any difference here..... Lol

I suspect large servings of 'humble pie' for breakfast now that Koh Tao will soon have 'The Plod' sniffing around.

I would call that a massive difference.

I bet certain bums are going to be squeaking on that island when they read this.

I suspect certain people will be on the first boat off and onto the first plane to Cambodia.

The British police will quickly eliminate the two young lads, and then make a list of suspects. They will surely be picking up Mr McCanna to find out what he knows.

This is going to be like peeling a banana.

Edited October 17, 2014 by wackybacky

[Tatsujin]

Well, it's good that someone high up has seen sense and allowed this to happen. Thumbs up.

[Thailand]

My rating for both David Cameron and General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has just stepped up a notch, very sensible approach by both men - they have done the right thing and IMO Thailand has restored "face"

Lets see how this pans out

The general was backed in to a corner and this is huge loss of face on his part.

Probably one of the worst things that can happen to Thai elite and on the world stage!

[Chupup]

That is the first time I have EVER seen David get his balls out.

I would imagine he dropped a few hints about how much pressure he was getting from the public and media, so you better play ball with me.... so to speak.

I don't know just how cooperative the RTP are actually going to be.... But one thing is for sure.... Somyat must be crapping his pants if he knows there has been a cover up.

Cameron Has BALLS ?? Really not sure i believe you

[clockman]

They came before, Kirsty Jones murder. Still unsolved.!