State prosecutor orders police to question more before indicting the murder suspects in court

KOH TAO: -- The state prosecutor today ordered the police to look into several unclear issues related to the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao island before the two murder suspects could be prosecuted in court.

Meanwhile the commissioner of the Royal Thai Police said the police are willing to allow British and Myanmar officials to observe the inquiry of the case by Thai police.

Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, the commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, assured that he was ready to allow British and Myanmar experts to observe in the probe of the murder in Koh Tao as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has pledged with the British Premier David Cameron during a recent meeting in Milan.

But he said that the observation would be within the framework of the Thai laws.

At the same time, the state prosecutor of the Eight Prosecution Region, Mr Thawatchai Siengjiew, disclosed that the working group of prosecutors have ordered the police to probe into more issues and to question more witnesses and find more circumstantial evidence before the state prosecutor could prosecute them in the court.

He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world.

Human Rights Office officials said they received complaints that the two Myanmar suspects were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

They said from the interview with the suspects also confirmed they were beaten.

However a cross check of the suspects’ claim with Koh Pha-ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong showed there was no beating as claimed by the suspect. The officer confirmed no beating or torture.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/state-prosecutor-orders-police-question-indicting-murder-suspects-court/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-20

Well if the police say they didn't do it then that's OK.

Happily it looks like they don't have enough"evidence" to prosecute two innocent men.

"He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

more substantial than a dna match and confession?!

is that evidence not rock solid anymore then?

Is that a picture of the three stooges in the OP?

This is good news. Big time.

Threre's no way this would have happened with out the Social media campaign and Cameron's talk with the General.

Confessions, DNA and witnesses aren't enough?

"He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

Otherwise, "hey, the guys we picked up are Burmese nobodies, so just sentence them to death quickly and be done with it."

"Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, the commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, assured that he was ready to allow British and Myanmar experts to observe in the probe of the murder in Koh Tao"

Like you have any choice, mate.

"But he said that the observation would be within the framework of the Thai laws."

Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

What happened to their blood stained clothing then??? , must have been a lot of spatter from the hoe!!!

Then of course if these guys where singing folk songs it seems natural to take a hoe along don't you think!!!

Then theirs the case of that other lad who allegedly fell 50 meters but found with no broken bones in the sea!!!

The British Consulate needs to be more vocal on these issues

"At the same time, the state prosecutor of the Eight Prosecution Region, Mr Thawatchai Siengjiew, disclosed that the working group of prosecutors have ordered the police to probe into more issues and to question more witnesses and find more circumstantial evidence before the state prosecutor could prosecute them in the court.

He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

So this investigation is then FAR from complete as stated. These are not minor details; all parts of the prosecutor's case need work.

++++++

"Human Rights Office officials said they received complaints that the two Myanmar suspects were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

They said from the interview with the suspects also confirmed they were beaten.

However a cross check of the suspects’ claim with Koh Pha-ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong showed there was no beating as claimed by the suspect. The officer confirmed no beating or torture."

So there are two contradictory "confirmations." Note that the Burmese can only make claims, while the Pol. Col. can "confirm" that beating them didn't happen. Isn't he just making a counter-claim?

Confessions, DNA and witnesses aren't enough?

Confessions extracted under torture? Worthless.

Witnesses who say what they are told is the new truth either for money or under threat? Worthless.

DNA? Now that is a different story, if it is confirmed independently, I'm on board with the BIB's case.

Independently though, independently.

Confessions, DNA and witnesses aren't enough?

"He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

Otherwise, "hey, the guys we picked up are Burmese nobodies, so just sentence them to death quickly and be done with it."

You and the poster above don't know the DNA matches. The witnesses have been unreliable. The Burmese-and-cop show of the reenactment was a farce, with a photo even showing how the Burmese had to be coached to get the facts right. The confessions were said to have been made under duress and there is mountains of evidence over the years that this is a regular occurrence, it could be called common knowledge thus confessions in MANY countries including the USA and Thailand are very often suspect. Never mind that confessions are traded for leniency and intimidation regarding punishment is also used.

Do you think the hundreds of thousands of people who are suspicious of the conclusions about this case are daft? Conspiracy theorists?

I notice the ratio of doubters to true believers on this forum is huge, though the post count thanks to the trolls and possible shills is nearly even! But

the momentum is on the side of getting to the real bottom of this so carry on with your unfounded certainties but if justice is eventually served you'll be in for a surprise.

It's time the PM sacrificed some high ranking cops. Thailand knows the case is a cockup, the Western world knows it's a cockup, he still has time to regain the publics support while saving face.

Confessions, DNA and witnesses aren't enough?

Confessions extracted under torture? Worthless.

Witnesses who say what they are told is the new truth either for money or under threat? Worthless.

DNA? Now that is a different story, if it is confirmed independently, I'm on board with the BIB's case.

Independently though, independently.

Beat me to the punch and with a much more concise response!

The perfect investigation,although the prosecution haven't the confidence to win a conviction.

hahahaha, will let them look at the thai way only, in other words they will not be able to question anything or show that the thais are wrong plus once again the totally finalized case does not have the required amount of evidence, seems the prosecutors dont really believe what the police are telling them

At the end of the day the only thing that is really and only required to clear up this case is DNA sample matching of the semen found in Hannahs body. Who ever amtches to it then the case is over. However if some people can refuse to be DNA tested then the case will never really be closed I guess. Will the Brit Police and Myanmar officials have any influence in demanding that those refusing tests will and should be tested?? I very much doubt it, sadly.

Will our new great leader also have the balls to take the bull by the horns and as he says, rid this country and this case and others of the future and past corruption????. Will he demand that nobody has the right to refuse tests too?????. Doubt it.

Will the PM shout and demand that they allow the British Police and myanmar officials the right to demand that all suspects in this case be rightly DNA tested or are the Myanmarians and British Police just supposed to sit on a fence and watch a comedy show of errors and listen to excuses of lost evidence etc etc.

Why are the prosectuors now saying that this case is again full of flaws and holes ? Because they also know that the world is also watching them too.

If Thailand really wants to preserve its image for tourists and foreign investment, it has to be seen to be doing things correctly from now on and continue to so in the future, rather than let a few self important, hi so, rich folk dictate to the regime of the day, in order to admonish themselves of guilt.

As we all know, It is not only happening to Tourists but Thai to Thai also, what is going to happen to Prince Red Bull et al????????

Now is the chance to save real face and show one and all in Thailand and around the World , that nobody in Thailand is above the law, regardless of postions in society, political affiliations or how much dodgy money they have in the bank .

Confessions, DNA and witnesses aren't enough?

"He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

Otherwise, "hey, the guys we picked up are Burmese nobodies, so just sentence them to death quickly and be done with it."

You and the poster above don't know the DNA matches. The witnesses have been unreliable. The Burmese-and-cop show of the reenactment was a farce, with a photo even showing how the Burmese had to be coached to get the facts right. The confessions were said to have been made under duress and there is mountains of evidence over the years that this is a regular occurrence, it could be called common knowledge thus confessions in MANY countries including the USA and Thailand are very often suspect. Never mind that confessions are traded for leniency and intimidation regarding punishment is also used.

Do you think the hundreds of thousands of people who are suspicious of the conclusions about this case are daft? Conspiracy theorists?

I notice the ratio of doubters to true believers on this forum is huge, though the post count thanks to the trolls and possible shills is nearly even! But

the momentum is on the side of getting to the real bottom of this so carry on with your unfounded certainties but if justice is eventually served you'll be in for a surprise.

Some posters obviously don't understand the emoticons.

Maybe they didn't like the part about the condom that was found at the crime scene was irrelevant to the case.

Where is the banana pancake man now... I guess that's what u get when u get an unofficial, uncredited translator on the case who has no visa, no work permit and performing pancake making duties that is strictly a profession reserved for Thais. Deportation and blacklisted for this chap please. Thai immigration r u out there.

"At the same time, the state prosecutor of the Eight Prosecution Region, Mr Thawatchai Siengjiew, disclosed that the working group of prosecutors have ordered the police to probe into more issues and to question more witnesses and find more circumstantial evidence before the state prosecutor could prosecute them in the court.

He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

So this investigation is then FAR from complete as stated. These are not minor details; all parts of the prosecutor's case need work.

++++++

"Human Rights Office officials said they received complaints that the two Myanmar suspects were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

They said from the interview with the suspects also confirmed they were beaten.

However a cross check of the suspects’ claim with Koh Pha-ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong showed there was no beating as claimed by the suspect. The officer confirmed no beating or torture."

So there are two contradictory "confirmations." Note that the Burmese can only make claims, while the Pol. Col. can "confirm" that beating them didn't happen. Isn't he just making a counter-claim?

You're correct in the staement just being a counter-claim. Thing is, Thailand is under Martial Law and anything said by the authorities eg, police, military (especially!) and judges must be treated as 'fact'.

Failure to do so could prove problematic for any member of the press. I'm no fan of the far right stance of the Thai press, but do they have any choice?

But, on the other side of the coin...

Interesting to see a few of the 'top brass' contradicting the General. Prayuth said it was ''...a perfect investigation''. He even congratulated the cops. Now, these guys are saying it's anything but perfect. We've had a top cop seemingly contradicting the General too. Even the papers have had a few critical entries on the General in recent days.The tourist board have been moaning about the General's decision not to end Martial Law. What next? Oh yep. A satirical Thai TV show has been getting really close to the bone on the political situation in Thailand in recent days. It's on youtube (the dude looks half farang and another chubby dude). I've seen the version with subtitles and...well....brave lads, is all I can say. At one point they seemed to be doing a fake ad for visiting Thailand. The gist of it was 'Amazing Thailand..we've got Martial Law..come on in!'' They also went close to bone about Ko Tao (regarding the cops/mafia).

They're all either very brave or sense something we don't. I don't think all this is a coincidence.

Will the Brit Police and Myanmar officials have any influence in demanding that those refusing tests will and should be tested?? I very much doubt it, sadly.

Perhaps a certain someone might be outside of Thailand and taking a break from his BKK uni studies, perhaps furthering his studies with a uni in Malaysia, while the plod are over here.

Probably not though, why would he need to, the plod are never going to have any authority over such a matter.

The big men have declared the investigation was top notch, so if the current case collapses it will be due to 'prosecutors not understanding the case'.

SHHHHHHHH you lot.... you don't want to upset the likes of Nongkaikid, JOC or local drunk.

They are pinning their hopes on the rejection of British involvement and the conviction of the two Burmese...... they don't like the Brits you know.

They are very honest.

They're saying, essentially, everyone is watching us now, so we can't do things like we normally do them or how we would have done them in this case. So, please find more evidence.

Of course, the entire thing will be choreographed to make things appear that various groups are trying to do their parts. But, in the end, people high up on the food chain have already issued orders about how what the outcome should be.

Make these farangs believe that we did our best. Thais are experts at this.

The officer confirmed no beating or torture.

Well that settles that then.

Perhaps there is no DNA match and the RTP are trying to make a case from a collection of other things, confession, witness, phone, cigarette butt etc.... If there is a DNA match between the Burmese guys and that taken from the victim samples from the rape then I believe we have the killers and the rapists. If no DNA match then no case.

It was said in the beginning back around September 18th that everyone within 600 meters of the crime scene would be required to get a DNA test. That never happened ! We all know Why ...

Now I think no one wants their name attached to this so they keep throwing it back to the RTP.

Maybe there is hope ....

"At the same time, the state prosecutor of the Eight Prosecution Region, Mr Thawatchai Siengjiew, disclosed that the working group of prosecutors have ordered the police to probe into more issues and to question more witnesses and find more circumstantial evidence before the state prosecutor could prosecute them in the court.

He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

So this investigation is then FAR from complete as stated. These are not minor details; all parts of the prosecutor's case need work.

++++++

"Human Rights Office officials said they received complaints that the two Myanmar suspects were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

They said from the interview with the suspects also confirmed they were beaten.

However a cross check of the suspects’ claim with Koh Pha-ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong showed there was no beating as claimed by the suspect. The officer confirmed no beating or torture."

So there are two contradictory "confirmations." Note that the Burmese can only make claims, while the Pol. Col. can "confirm" that beating them didn't happen. Isn't he just making a counter-claim?

You're correct in the staement just being a counter-claim. Thing is, Thailand is under Martial Law and anything said by the authorities eg, police, military (especially!) and judges must be treated as 'fact'.

Failure to do so could prove problematic for any member of the press. I'm no fan of the far right stance of the Thai press, but do they have any choice?

But, on the other side of the coin...

Interesting to see a few of the 'top brass' contradicting the General. Prayuth said it was ''...a perfect investigation''. He even congratulated the cops. Now, these guys are saying it's anything but perfect. We've had a top cop seemingly contradicting the General too. Even the papers have had a few critical entries on the General in recent days.The tourist board have been moaning about the General's decision not to end Martial Law. What next? Oh yep. A satirical Thai TV show has been getting really close to the bone on the political situation in Thailand in recent days. It's on youtube (the dude looks half farang and another chubby dude). I've seen the version with subtitles and...well....brave lads, is all I can say. At one point they seemed to be doing a fake ad for visiting Thailand. The gist of it was 'Amazing Thailand..we've got Martial Law..come on in!'' They also went close to bone about Ko Tao (regarding the cops/mafia).

They're all either very brave or sense something we don't. I don't think all this is a coincidence.

Awww , Shame , No link ??? can you PM me a link please?

You're correct in the staement just being a counter-claim. Thing is, Thailand is under Martial Law and anything said by the authorities eg, police, military (especially!) and judges must be treated as 'fact'.

Well I don't believe a word of it.

"At the same time, the state prosecutor of the Eight Prosecution Region, Mr Thawatchai Siengjiew, disclosed that the working group of prosecutors have ordered the police to probe into more issues and to question more witnesses and find more circumstantial evidence before the state prosecutor could prosecute them in the court.

He said that case needed to have substantial evidence as it is closely watched by people around the world."

So this investigation is then FAR from complete as stated. These are not minor details; all parts of the prosecutor's case need work.

++++++

"Human Rights Office officials said they received complaints that the two Myanmar suspects were beaten by the police during the interrogation.

They said from the interview with the suspects also confirmed they were beaten.

However a cross check of the suspects’ claim with Koh Pha-ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong showed there was no beating as claimed by the suspect. The officer confirmed no beating or torture."

So there are two contradictory "confirmations." Note that the Burmese can only make claims, while the Pol. Col. can "confirm" that beating them didn't happen. Isn't he just making a counter-claim?

You're correct in the staement just being a counter-claim. Thing is, Thailand is under Martial Law and anything said by the authorities eg, police, military (especially!) and judges must be treated as 'fact'.

Failure to do so could prove problematic for any member of the press. I'm no fan of the far right stance of the Thai press, but do they have any choice?

But, on the other side of the coin...

Interesting to see a few of the 'top brass' contradicting the General. Prayuth said it was ''...a perfect investigation''. He even congratulated the cops. Now, these guys are saying it's anything but perfect. We've had a top cop seemingly contradicting the General too. Even the papers have had a few critical entries on the General in recent days.The tourist board have been moaning about the General's decision not to end Martial Law. What next? Oh yep. A satirical Thai TV show has been getting really close to the bone on the political situation in Thailand in recent days. It's on youtube (the dude looks half farang and another chubby dude). I've seen the version with subtitles and...well....brave lads, is all I can say. At one point they seemed to be doing a fake ad for visiting Thailand. The gist of it was 'Amazing Thailand..we've got Martial Law..come on in!'' They also went close to bone about Ko Tao (regarding the cops/mafia).

They're all either very brave or sense something we don't. I don't think all this is a coincidence.

I've seen the vid.It really is "Amazing",those guys have some balls.

Make these farangs believe that we did our best. ......

And you forgot to add, "then everything can go away , tourists will increase again and everything and everyone will be smiling again, as we will teach all our children the 12 core values of how to live a perfect life in peace and harmony with all.