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Koh Tao murders: Thai police 'not embarrassed' by UK probe


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Koh Tao Murder: Thai Police 'Not Embarrassed' By UK Probe
By Khaosod English

14137902921413791570l.jpg
Thai police chief Pol.Gen. Somyot Pumphanmuang on Koh Tao island, 3 October 2014.

BANGKOK — Thai authorities say they are ready to cooperate with the British police delegates who have been authorized to observe their controversial investigation into the murder of two British backpackers in southern Thailand last month.

The United Kingdom decided to dispatch their own police to Thailand after a number of UK and Burmese officials expressed concern over Thai police’s inquiry into the murder of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, whose bodies were found on a beach on Koh Tao island on 15 September.

Thai police have accused two Burmese workers of killing the Britons, though many human rights organisations believe the men are "scapegoats" who have been forced to confess by police. Thai police have adamantly denied the allegation.

The arrival of UK authorities will not affect the credibility of the Thai police in any way, a spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police said in a press conference yesterday.

"We are not embarrassed," Pol.Lt. Prawut Thawornsiri said. "Both the UK and Burma are our friends. If they have any doubts about the incident, they can request for information from the Royal Thai Police, and we are willing to cooperate with them."

The UK government says its delegates will focus on two issues: whether forensic tests implicate the Burmese suspects as claimed by the Thai police, and whether the suspects have been mistreated while in police custody.

The Thai authorities previously stalled in responding to the UK's request to observe the murder inquiry, but junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is said to have acquiesced after UK Prime Minister David Cameron personally pressed him about the matter during an international summit in Italy last week.

According to Pol.Lt. Prawut, the police spokesperson, the principle of Thai sovereignty will not allow UK police to directly investigate the case on their own, but Thai police will happily provide them with any information they request.

Moreover, the Thai police are no longer involved in the investigation anymore because they have already finished the case file and sent it to the public prosecutor, Pol.Lt. Prawut said.

"This case is now beyond the police’s duty. We cannot violate the power of the Office of Attorney-General. We have to respect and honour their authority," the spokesperson told reporters. "When the Attorney takes up the case, police officers will serve as witnesses in the court ... and the court will deliberate whether the suspects are guilty as charged."

Nevertheless, Pol.Lt. Prawut added that Thai police will conduct any additional investigations per request from the British officers to "clarify any issues they don't understand."

Pol.Lt. Prawut did not say when the British delegates will arrive in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1413790292

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-- Khaosod English 2014-10-20

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Posted

Will the RTP re open the case if new evidence comes to light or if the current two suspects are exonerated by the court? Or does shut means shut and if current suspects are scapegoats it means the real perpetrators are scott free already, regardless what the courts decide or UK investigation will result in?

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Posted

Anybody know for sure why this case is getting so much attention? The fact that the PM Cameron requested personally makes me that the victim's family must be very connected politically. I have never seen a murder of a farang get this much focus. But it does sound like the court case is pretty set in stone and they don't even say if any new evidence can be brought to the court by these investigators... Also thinking that maybe these investigators are already here secretly, not yet revealing themselves to the authority.

Posted

"Nevertheless, Pol.Lt. Prawut added that Thai police will conduct any additional investigations per request from the British officers to "clarify any issues they don't understand."

so if the uk police requests the dna from Nom Sod,RTP will provide it?

probably they will bring a sample and say it's from him

  • Like 2
Posted

The arrival of UK authorities will not affect the credibility of the Thai police in any way, a spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police said in a press conference yesterday.

Sure it won't ... you don't have any to being with.

  • Like 2
Posted

Anybody know for sure why this case is getting so much attention? The fact that the PM Cameron requested personally makes me that the victim's family must be very connected politically.

You've been in Thailand too long. There's a general election next year and this is a safe vote-winner.

Posted

just one thing needs to be done otherwise it will not make any difference if the UK police are here or not

Number 1 - The UK police need to take their own DNA samples of the suspects to match it with the DNA found on the bodies which the UK police has.

Simple...and the uk police should be able to do this. They should also make a formal request to be able to do this...if refused then you know 100% that something is wrong. In the uk in DNA checks can be requested and independently done by any party if they request so. So stop them doing this would be sure sign of a cover up.

The tests here were not done independently.....the results were done independently but the samples came from the Thai police....plenty of time to frame, falsify evidence. The whole process needs to be done independently, simple as that.

  • Like 1
Posted

Moreover, the Thai police are no longer involved in the investigation anymore because they have already finished the case file and sent it to the public prosecutor, Pol.Lt. Prawut said.

So the police consider this case closed?

There is "0" chance of additional suspects?

These two Burmese kids did the hole thing by themselves?

I would never consider bringing my family to that island, most likely there are still murderers/rapists on that island.

I will be going to every single travel website I can comment on and warn people of the danger they are in if they go to KT, as well as KP and Samui just for the fact they are in close proximity. I would encourage everybody to do the same.

As soon as you place anything detrimental on Trip adviser ...they remove themrolleyes.gif Defeats the object really.

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