Koh Tao murders: Thai police bureau ignores NHRC summons

[webfact]

KOH TAO KILLINGS
Police bureau ignores NHRC summons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police officers failed to show up before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to answer questions related to the alleged torture of two Myanmar suspects, who are charged with murdering two Britons on Koh Tao last month.

The two suspects last week told a team from the Lawyers' Council of Thailand that they were tortured into confessing to murders they did not commit.

As a result, the NHRC's subcommittee on civilians' rights and political rights summoned representatives from the National Police Office (NPO) to provide information yesterday. However, the NPO told the NHRC that investigation into the case was already in the hands of the public prosecutors and that it needed to seek prior approval from the prosecutors before providing any details on the case to the NHRC.

NHRC commissioner Dr Niran Pitakwatchara, who chairs the subcommittee on civilians' rights and political rights, said yesterday that the NPO should realise that the NHRC is not "investigating" the murder.

"We are looking into the alleged abuse of human rights," he pointed out, adding that his subcommittee will summon the police again and will lodge a complaint if there is no response.

"Police must come before our subcommittee to provide information at 1.30pm on November 3," Niran said.

Meanwhile, the Koh Samui Court yesterday approved a police request that the suspects' detention be extended by another 12 days, as more time was needed to complete the investigation.

Public prosecutors have instructed investigators to gather more information for the third time, and police will work further into the case.

The judge said the suspects could be detained for up to 84 days.

An informed source, meanwhile, said British police had already started gathering information on the case. The British team stepped in after word spread that the 'real' culprit in the case might evade the long arm of the law.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-bureau-ignores-NHRC-summons-30246391.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-28

[terryp]

everything about this case STINKS..typical of Thai police work (or lack of it)

[Bluespunk]

"An informed source, meanwhile, said British police had already started gathering information on the case. The British team stepped in after word spread that the 'real' culprit in the case might evade the long arm of the law."

Gathering information? Sounds like an investigation to me.

[jaidam]

LOL at the NHRC. If you had just extorted huge sums of money from dreadlocked backpackers carrying around a roach end in their pocket, had a huge binge on meth and your eyeballs were darting around like a starving ferret dropped into the cast of watership down, would you turn up to some meeting about rights of Burmese? Burmese are good for extortion only, what planet are the NHRC on?

[Prbkk]

This just adds fuel to the fire and leaves the impression that they have something to hide. Also, it's not very bright: at the very least they could have sent a representative and advised that they needed to seek further advice from prosecutors prior to any detailed information being given/questions answered. Simply not turning up is not going to make this go away.

[primary tiff]

This case is a complete mess. Either the investigation and/or reporting is completely skewed. I just the MET is guiding them straight towards that long dark alley.

[NongKhaiKid]

"An informed source, meanwhile, said British police had already started gathering information on the case. The British team stepped in after word spread that the 'real' culprit in the case might evade the long arm of the law."

Gathering information? Sounds like an investigation to me.

Is this questionable reporting as it's been made abundantly clear that the team were only to observe and nothing else would be permitted ?

[webfact]

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
X-ray results on Myanmar suspects show no traces of assaults

BANGKOK: -- Latest X-ray results on the two Koh Tao suspects found no unusual indications, said Dr Nirund Pitakwatchara, National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) member said Monday.

However, the results were not unexpected, he said, as the suspects were arrested on October 1 and the x-ray took place on October 13 and 20, many days later. "Therefore, it is difficult to find anything unusual," he said.

Police yesterday did not show up to meet NHRC members who invited them to discuss about the police investigation into the Kho Tao murders that resulted in arrests of two Myanmar nationals.

Nirand quoted police as saying that they could not meet the commissioners because they have to ask permission from public prosecutors first.

Nirand said police are misunderstanding as his agency did not want to discuss about the details of the case but it has to look into the suspects’ claims that they were violated of human rights and police assaulted them.

The NHRC will invite police again to meet it again on November 3, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/X-ray-results-on-Myanmar-suspects-show-no-traces-o-30246350.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-28

[thesetat2013]

Maybe the NHRC needs to get a different interpreter as it seems thr police failed to understand that they just wanted to be questioned about the claims of torture by the Burmese men.

Either that or the police don't want to give details about how they obtained their confessions for fears it would hurt their case against the men amd show the world their interrogation methods.

No matter what the RTP do now this act of ignorance\defiance to the NHRC ruins any positive thought about how they dealt with the case. I can imagine that in the next few days the men who interrogated the suspects are being grilled as to how to answer the NHRCs questions before their deadline

[Lozza]

I'd say the police are running scared right now they never anticipated this and do not know what to do next. There'd be infighting for sure.

[Bluespunk]

"An informed source, meanwhile, said British police had already started gathering information on the case. The British team stepped in after word spread that the 'real' culprit in the case might evade the long arm of the law."

Gathering information? Sounds like an investigation to me.

Is this questionable reporting as it's been made abundantly clear that the team were only to observe and nothing else would be permitted ?

What is said to save face and what is really happening often are not the same thing.

Though yes, you could well be right.

Strange days indeed.

[Bluespunk]

"Nirand said police are misunderstanding as his agency did not want to discuss about the details of the case but it has to look into the suspects’ claims that they were violated of human rights and police assaulted them."

Insert the word "deliberately" before "misunderstanding" and you have a more accurate assessment.

[Robby nz]

A small snippet (lie) from the cop in charge of the investigation from when the prosecutor first sent the case back requesting more evidence.

A panel of prosecutors had merely asked the police investigators to review the case and to maximise the punishment in light of evidence the suspects had tried to cover up their crime, he said.

The suspects were informed of the revised penalty recommendation, but police have not said how many years in prison they may face, he said.

The second sentence clearly states that the accused have been told that if they recant their confession they will face harsher punishment.

Could this be considered mental torture ?

[mojorison]

This just adds fuel to the fire and leaves the impression that they have something to hide. Also, it's not very bright: at the very least they could have sent a representative and advised that they needed to seek further advice from prosecutors prior to any detailed information being given/questions answered. Simply not turning up is not going to make this go away.

It suggests to me that they are in disarray. Literally cannot find one person willing to take some heat and answer a few hard questions. This suggests a complete breakdown in subordination Utter and complete lawlessness.

[SteveFong]

no one would believe this story as it has unfolded as being real

[Artisi]

no one would believe this story as it has unfolded as being real

The BIB cheer squad, when they turn up will straighten you out that nothing is unfolding except that B2 are guilty of all charges.

[NongKhaiKid]

"An informed source, meanwhile, said British police had already started gathering information on the case. The British team stepped in after word spread that the 'real' culprit in the case might evade the long arm of the law."

Gathering information? Sounds like an investigation to me.

Is this questionable reporting as it's been made abundantly clear that the team were only to observe and nothing else would be permitted ?

What is said to save face and what is really happening often are not the same thing.

Though yes, you could well be right.

Strange days indeed.

Although I suggested questionable reporting there's always the good chance too that Thai officials are, as usual, talking at cross-purposes.

It was hammered home that no outside agents can investigate anything in Thailand and maybe now someone thinks let's make this sound good and show we are assisting fully. Gathering Information, if it's really happening, sounds better PR than observing.

[greenchair]

The prosecutors have sent the case back 3 times. Maybe that DNA evidence is not so airtight after all.

We need a new petition, this time to prayut. We will write--

Let the innocent boys out.

[MaxLee]

The prosecutors have sent the case back 3 times. Maybe that DNA evidence is not so airtight after all.

We need a new petition, this time to prayut. We will write--

Let the innocent boys out.

Our PM aka former army general couldn't care less...

[SteveFong]

I didn't see where they sent it back for the 3rd time,

that sounds most "unusual"

in fact, it's bizarre,

I am now lost between the latest article that the police said it was turned over to the prosecutors which is why they didnt attend a hearing of the human rights commission,

and now these reports that the prosecutor doesn't have it,

where is the referee to call the double dribble already?

[Johnsen]

Nobody showed up. That's not good for the police case and surely suggests you have something to hide. Had the police not abused them you'd be banging the door down to prove your innocence...

Case given back for a third time. That's got to be some solid DNA they have... Its almost impossible now to believe the police version of events now. Their story has changed so many times only a fool would not question this case.

[ChrisY1]

I'd say the police are running scared right now they never anticipated this and do not know what to do next. There'd be infighting for sure.

Agree.....let's hope that maybe one of their own will say too much soon.......as is sometimes the case.

Ignoring the NHRC doesn't do the cops any favours at all.....

Edited October 28, 2014 by ChrisY1

[NamKAheng]

Banana republic!

[RustBucket]

Man this is so obviously an admission of guilt and the x-rays were always going to come back with nothing. They are not exactly stupid enough to leave broken bones or cigarette burns are they, there are may methods of torture that leave no traces but are brutal, and one is mental torture, another is suffocation and I will bet my house the police know every technique in the book.

They are however, very stupid to hide behind this lame excuse of the investigation being in the hands of the prosecutors which now must make them completely shielded from torture accusations. They are completely different things. But i a way I am glad they took the stupidity route on this issue, because they just succeeded in making themselves look not only imbeciles, but as guilty as sin also.

I hope the USA are watching.

[Johnsen]

Like some of the Thai locals have already mentioned on social media... ' Nobody ever fight back before.' The police are not used to this and are now certainly making things up as they go along. Even lawyers couldn't get credible alibis out into the public without stuffing up ie. The university photo that was actually a dorm photo. Still shots, not good ones, of video footage. The actual video footage would be a much better alibi but again they probably didn't think there would be to much fuss made. Wrong again.

[Manbing]

Why is it that the people with 'nothing to hide' in this case, are refusing to present themselves to appropriate authorities?

The son of the Koh Tao headland, now the police.

I would like to see a crackdown on avoiding authorities.

[templedog]

"The judge said the suspects could be detained for up to 84 days."

And when those 84 days pass, another 84 day extension.....they're banking

on the public's short attention span.....BUT, let's NOT forget, lest it happens again!

Keep the pressure on!!

[TTom911]

This just adds fuel to the fire and leaves the impression that they have something to hide. Also, it's not very bright: at the very least they could have sent a representative and advised that they needed to seek further advice from prosecutors prior to any detailed information being given/questions answered. Simply not turning up is not going to make this go away.

No surprise, its widespread, one might say typical Thai, to respond with arrogance to their own display of ignorance. You see it every day and everywhere...

[alantheembalmer]

There is just an overwhelming impression of a total lack of responsibility by those in the upper echelons of the RTP.

I wonder who in the RTP is going to be hung out to dry when the Met report is made public?

[Thaddeus]

A practical example of why the RTP wear brown trousers.