UK cops 'to only observe'

[Lite Beer]

KOH TAO MURDERS
UK cops 'to only observe'
The Sunday Nation,


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha makes a point while talking to reporters at Suvarnabhumi Airport following his return from Italy yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Prayut says Cameron was fine with Thai probe, but British public sceptical

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reiterated that British observers will be permitted in the police investigation into the Koh Tao murders, disputing foreign media reports from London that stated British police were "allowed to help" with the probe.

General Prayut said yesterday that British Prime Minister David Cameron had spoken to him at the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) that concluded in Milan on Friday about the recent murders of the two Britons on the resort island.

Prayut said Cameron told him that he saw nothing wrong with the Thai justice system, but that many Britons had suspicions about the police investigation.

"I told him that there is no problem with this case because we follow the law. We agreed that England will send in observers," he said, adding that the British Embassy and Thai police and the Foreign Ministry were working together on this matter.

Prayut was speaking during his press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport following his return from Italy. Asem attracted leaders of many Asian and European nations.

He also told reporters that Cameron expected the British public to "take some more time to understand this matter".

The prime minister also rejected claims that the police had arrested scapegoats for the murders.

He said he did not think the police would dare do such a thing in a high-

profile case like this.

Two workers from Myanmar have been arrested and police said they admitted to the crime.

The BBC reported earlier yesterday that British police would travel to Thailand to assist with the murder investigation.

It reported that Prayut, who had previously objected to inviting British investigators, changed his stance after meeting with Cameron in Italy on Friday.

"There are two areas we are particularly concerned about," the BBC quoted a diplomatic source as saying. "One is the verification of the DNA samples of the suspects ... the second is the investigation into allegations of the mistreatment of the suspects."

The Myanmar suspects said they were forced to confess to the September 15 murders of backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24. But the police said the confessions were valid and denied reports of a retraction.

"What the [british] prime minister secured this morning was an 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.

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 offered its support, while the British envoy in Bangkok also met top Thai officials to discuss the case.

In London on Friday, a group of campaigners handed a petition with more than 100,000 signatures calling for the UK prime minister to launch an independent investigation into the murders.

The petition was submitted at Cameron's office at Number 10 Downing Street.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/UK-cops-to-only-observe-30245770.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-19

[Thai at Heart]

I love how pooyais love to speak on others behalf.

Its so ethical and honest.

[Somtamnication]

A few points are out of place:

1. Now he speaks for Cameron. What he says and what the UK press is saying are like, 1000 km apart.

2. Bobbies are here to only observe. UK police are never happy to only observe. They are prolific in their hunting and gathering. They will go nuts just observing.

3. Thai police follow the law. No scapegoats. I seriously doubt that. Not their modus operandi to NOT have scapegoats.

[sustento]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

[chooka]

He loves to speak for others.

What are the British going to observe, the BIB said the investigation was complete and airtight.

[The stuttering parrot]

*Edited*

What he should be doing is shirt fronting him in front of the world by upping travel warnings to Thailand and forcing insurance premiums up so people won't travel there until the British people get satisfactory answers and assurances that the investigation is above board and free of interference .

Edited October 18, 2014 by Scott

[Thai at Heart]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

It wi be interesting to see what they are going to do to prove to these police that this case is tight.

If there is a fix up, these coppers wi find holes in the story very quickly.

[NongKhaiKid]

Cameron could save the British taxpayer a lot of money if he gets rid of the staff in his press office as they are not needed, he's got the Thai PM to speak for him.

This arrogance and breach of diplomatic protocol really needs to be shot down. I know Thais don't care what foreigners think about them and adverse comments would not be published here but there's always more than one way.

The Thai government needs to be called on their unauthorised comments in no uncertain manner and, for example, a travel advisory which goes beyond the usual notice of martial law etc but actually warns travellers their diplomatic representatives may not be able to help them because of restrictions and so on from the ' host ' government.

This would be passed on to the EU and picked up by other countries who may just follow suit. Nothing will scare LoS more than the loss of tourist revenue.

[MikePhuket1970]

Please don´t forget,

we,the world and most of the thais want the real

slaughtermen and rapists.

And there are these kind of rats who got paid for

to cover up the crime,lie and protect the murderers.

Keep on fighting,make posts,give informations,send links and never stop

questioning

until real justice prevail

[thesetat2013]

"I told him that there is no problem with this case because we follow the law.

I am most certain everyone in Thailand knows this statement is 100% true.

He said he did not think the police would dare do such a thing in a high-

profile case like this.

Implicating that if it was not such a High-profile case that thy would dare to do it.

UK cops 'to only observe'

So they may "NOT" make their own investigation. Which basically could mean the BIB will show them their evidence to support their charges. They can do anything to make their evidence fit the crime and the UK will have to accept it.

The only way really for the UK Police to know for sure these men are truly scapegoats will be if the BIB slip up somewhere and show contradictory evidence.

[Robespiere]

Is there any photos of these two meeting.

Looks like there not too many world leaders willing to be pictured with the General

[NongKhaiKid]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

It wi be interesting to see what they are going to do to prove to these police that this case is tight.

If there is a fix up, these coppers wi find holes in the story very quickly.

They can only find holes, identify a fit up and so on IF given access to all the evidence and I think it's very clear that's not going to happen.

The definition of ' help ' seems to be very confused and what Cameron may think it means will be very different to the Thai interpretation.

If police arrive from Britain arrive and are told ' observer status ' only it will mean you can only observe what we choose to let you see.

As Chooka pointed out the Thai investigation is finished so maybe the British police will be told you can read the final report which you will need to have translated and that's your lot.

If Thailand is prepared to risk condemnation by moving the goalposts and being obstructive, with a smile of course, then Cameron and the Foreign Office need to start banging the table and making it public.

No more Mr. Nice Guy and have a word in the ambassador's ear about that too.

[NongKhaiKid]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

It wi be interesting to see what they are going to do to prove to these police that this case is tight.

If there is a fix up, these coppers wi find holes in the story very quickly.

They can only find holes, identify a fit up and so on IF given access to all the evidence and I think it's very clear that's not going to happen.

The definition of ' help ' seems to be very confused and what Cameron may think it means will be very different to the Thai interpretation.

If police arrive from Britain arrive and are told ' observer status ' only it will mean you can only observe what we choose to let you see.

As Chooka pointed out the Thai investigation is finished so maybe the British police will be told you can read the final report which you will need to have translated and that's your lot.

If Thailand is prepared to risk condemnation by moving the goalposts and being obstructive, with a smile of course, then Cameron and the Foreign Office need to start banging the table and making it public.

No more Mr. Nice Guy and have a word in the ambassador's ear about that too.

[BSJ]

With the language differences it will be tough for the Britcops to get to the truth....unless of course the Britcops picked to come speak and read Thai!

[chooka]

Cameron could save the British taxpayer a lot of money if he gets rid of the staff in his press office as they are not needed, he's got the Thai PM to speak for him.

This arrogance and breach of diplomatic protocol really needs to be shot down. I know Thais don't care what foreigners think about them and adverse comments would not be published here but there's always more than one way.

The Thai government needs to be called on their unauthorised comments in no uncertain manner and, for example, a travel advisory which goes beyond the usual notice of martial law etc but actually warns travellers their diplomatic representatives may not be able to help them because of restrictions and so on from the ' host ' government.

This would be passed on to the EU and picked up by other countries who may just follow suit. Nothing will scare LoS more than the loss of tourist revenue.

I think it is all a ploy to win over the Thai people. My wife says the whole world loves the general. I told her that it is not true and she is sucking up the propaganda. He is treating the Thai's like mushrooms.

[Skip Tracer]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

I don't believe anyone is asking for Thailand to surrender legal authority to anyone. Perhaps I missed something?

[Johnsen]

Not much point them coming then. It didn't help in Chiang Mai case... Very sad to see Thailand, its leaders and it's police treat human life like this..

Only one way to get justice and that is for the people of the world to stop coming to Thailand, especially those islands.. That will remain to b seen if the people of the world are committed to justice. If human history is to be repeated the people will return. We simply forget overtime. Sad but true... Thailand knows this all to well.

2 more lives will b taken just to rub our noses in it....

I guess those islands are even more dangerous than we ever thought... If you think about it they have gone to a lot of trouble to clear Nomsods name. Of course it only takes 1 photo to show him on the island, one piece of his phone data, one leaked piece of CCTV footage, anything really to completely destroy his alibi and truly show the world how disgusting this cover up is. If I was Nomsod and the authorities I would b shitttting myself forever that that could happen. Someone somewhere holds Thailand reputation and this kids life in their hands. Just depends on when the info comes out and who wants to prove it.

Money can truly buy you everything and anything. Can it b reversed on his alibi.. Time to dig a bit deeper perhaps and fight fire with fire.

Edited October 18, 2014 by Johnsen

[JeremyBowskill]

I can't decide if this a face saving article, or a u turning article............. Time will tell I guess.

[NongKhaiKid]

Cameron could save the British taxpayer a lot of money if he gets rid of the staff in his press office as they are not needed, he's got the Thai PM to speak for him.

This arrogance and breach of diplomatic protocol really needs to be shot down. I know Thais don't care what foreigners think about them and adverse comments would not be published here but there's always more than one way.

The Thai government needs to be called on their unauthorised comments in no uncertain manner and, for example, a travel advisory which goes beyond the usual notice of martial law etc but actually warns travellers their diplomatic representatives may not be able to help them because of restrictions and so on from the ' host ' government.

This would be passed on to the EU and picked up by other countries who may just follow suit. Nothing will scare LoS more than the loss of tourist revenue.

I think it is all a ploy to win over the Thai people. My wife says the whole world loves the general. I told her that it is not true and she is sucking up the propaganda. He is treating the Thai's like mushrooms.

Very accurate. The propaganda feeds into what Thais want to believe about their status having been taught it from an early age.

The current tourist ad running on BBC World says it all ' Thai people see the world differently ... '. Unfortunately it means their world not the real world.

[Beng]

With nothing to hide, the RTP could lean back and let the Brits do their own investigation, couldn't they ??

That would put an end to all speculations and would help to restore the RTP's face as well.

But by preventing a transparent investgation, with all the background of corruption, no one in or outside the kingdom will feel that justice has been served.

[phutoie2]

"Call me Dave" could have saved the UK a few bucks by just inserting the Beebs J Head there. That man has a head for trouble.

[kriswillems]

"He said he did not think the police would dare do such a thing in a high-profile case like this"

So. that more or less confirms that in other cases it's common practice.
Only an independent DNA test can prove That police is not lying.
If that is not allowed observing the thing is useless.

[Beng]

"He said he did not think the police would dare do such a thing in a high-profile case like this"

So. that more or less confirms that in other cases it's common practice.

It does indeed.

[MaxLee]

He loves to speak for others.

What are the British going to observe, the BIB said the investigation was complete and airtight.

That's what you get, when you have an un-elected PM and government ,....

I told everyone who was vowing for the Shinawatra-quickfix-punishments by the PM aka former army general,.... be careful what you wish for... I mean, not that I vow for the former ruling party or anything, but the fact is, the quality of so called democratic process and justice isn't gonna get any better with the un-elected PM and the C****-sucking PAD Democrats.

The quick point is, both parties hate each other, and the leaders of each parties just want to destroy each other and exploit their followers, that's what it's all about. It was never about for the good of the people of Thailand, but who RULES the corruption and face of Thailand....

Back to topic, what did you expect? That the Thai authority would welcome the independent investigators with open arms and allow an independent investigation? Too much stubborn, influential face at stake. The elite in Thailand is so old-fashioned stubborn, that they do everything to save that sorry face, even though the majority of the world sees right through it, even a kindergarten kid can see the difference. The whole world knows, but the Thai elite aka mafia is just keeping its principles....

And part of history continues on Koh Tao, they treat the Burmese like a piece of scape goat crap, pay a few millions to the Thai judges in advance and call it quits behind closed doors and play theatre for the International communities....

[coma]

What an eye opener they're in for. 555

[NeverSure]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

Hold on a minute. I don't know how the British system works, but American law and court processes are based on English Law.

If they are the same, the Thais could bypass the UK government and go straight to the defense attorney who's allowed to use any experts he chooses. If they happened to be Thai, he could use them. They don't need to have "jurisdiction," they can be welcomed by the defense.

In Thailand I see a lack of not only transparency, but a lack of a proper defense. Where is the defense attorney and how much access does he have to all of the so-called evidence, and what opportunity does he have to call his own choice of expert witnesses to verify the evidence including getting their own DNA samples?

We certainly don't have apples and apples here. We have a lack of a proper judicial system and the ability to railroad people without being challenged.

[chainarong]

Possibly that's about what they could only manage, observe, They'd be pissin themselves laughin so much they would think that keystone cops are back in vogue.

[JohnThailandJohn]

So UK Media and/or authorities wanted to put to bed the conspiracy theories started by nonsense posts on Facebook without telling everyone they were being ridiculous but the Thai PM could care less about what these people choose to believe as it is now in the hands of the court.

It certainly did seem strange when the UK said they would participate -- being observers is not even common but generally the furthest one country is going to go to another on a criminal case like this.

[sweatalot]

The only place that British police have jurisdiction is in Britain. They have no legal authority at all in Thailand.

Imagine the hoo haa if a Thai was murdered in the UK and the Thai government expected expected the UK to surrender all legal authority to a couple of visiting members of the RTP.

Will never happen because the British police are doing a decent job, they are not known for using scapegoats and biased investigations

[JohnThailandJohn]

The Thai government needs to be called on their unauthorised comments in no uncertain manner and, for example, a travel advisory which goes beyond the usual notice of martial law etc but actually warns travellers their diplomatic representatives may not be able to help them because of restrictions and so on from the ' host ' government.

I think you'll find every informed traveler and country embassy advices citizens to leave their "we our more special" attitudes at home when visiting another country as they have absolutely no jurisdiction into criminal matters within other countries or much of anything else. Once you leave your own country you are bound by the laws and procedures of that country and highly doubtful your embassy will even provide an attorney without your paying ... they will however hold your hand for comfort from time to time but that is about it.