Myanmar says workers innocent of murdering Britons on Koh Tao

[alfalfa19]

Whatever happened to the guy who was beaten and offered 700k to provide false testimony? Is he even alive?

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Standoff!

They still can be witnesses just protect their identityas they would a rape victim.

[xygote]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

[thailandchilli]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

JTJ has been here already and then promptly departed, I took a screenshot of his vile comment however http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/?p=8821563

[catweazle]

Here's the video link to the press conference

Well well, considering Burmese and Thai relations were supposed to of been strengthened now that their governments are so...similar (in some respects) this is very surprising. Burma straight out calling it BS and that their boys are innocent.

I'm a bit sad that my home nation won't also divulge their own investigations findings, I guess it is a matter of 'diplomacy' but I think that there's more to gain for Thailand through close relations with their immediate neighbors than there is with Britain.

Maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope for these boys. But, sadly, less closure for the families of Hannah and David.

The families of David and Hannah don't deserve a closure that has been ridden out on innocent peoples' backs!

It is their own fault that they won't get closure because they have been silent throughout the whole mayhem, when even a blind person could see that the investigation is going south with the true murderers walking and two burmese patsy children being beaten to confession in a "safe house". It would be the duty of any concerning parent to fight for the truth, not push for "closure" leaving alone announcing in public that they were satisfied with this absolutely unbelievable mess of an investigation!

Like I posted many times - if I were the father of David or Hannah, I would have been there myself, turning the island inside out along with my own private investigation team and good friends from Nakhon Si Thammarat. After that, the true murderes would have been brought to a "safe house" in the suburbs of Bangkok, where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories to watch and calm me down whenever grief and sadness about my child being killed would set in. That would be my closure!

Edited December 19, 2014 by catweazle

[JOC]

Why should it not be possible to bring the Burmese workers who fled to Burma back

under protection of their government and then back to Burma.

May be even some money could be found as a substitute for their loss of income in Thailand.

Would it be a total fantasy that the Thai government can guarantee the safety of these witnesses.

I say if the PM it's sincere, he needs to send in DSI into KT and expose any corruption. Jail those breaking the law, including police who have been extorting illegal migrant workers permission to stay, in the name of the royal kingdom. If these figures are out of the picture, witness would not be so intimidated. I know powerful families made many enemies and there are plenty of folks ready to snitch on them whenever they get a chance.

The main problem with your idea is, that the very top dog within the RTP is probably the mastermind behind the "scapegoat-solution"

All to protect investments/cashflow on the islands. So IMO the powerful family on Koh Tao is merely his employees. And don't forget there is a powerful politician lurking in the shadows!!

BTW. Khun Somyot has gone very quiet lately. Maybe he reads Thaivisa and decided to keep a low profile?? Or more likely he is busy counting Pongpats money and planning new investments on the SET !!

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

I see only two possible ways out of this:

1. Thai court decides evidence are not strong enough and let's them walk free

2. Thai court sentenes them for murder and a few months later they are handed over to Myanmar authorities who do whatever they like afterwards.

The second option is more possible as the first one will be a loss of face for our lovely BIB.

[EyesWideOpen]

Here's the video link to the press conference

Well well, considering Burmese and Thai relations were supposed to of been strengthened now that their governments are so...similar (in some respects) this is very surprising. Burma straight out calling it BS and that their boys are innocent.

I'm a bit sad that my home nation won't also divulge their own investigations findings, I guess it is a matter of 'diplomacy' but I think that there's more to gain for Thailand through close relations with their immediate neighbors than there is with Britain.

Maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope for these boys. But, sadly, less closure for the families of Hannah and David.

The families of David and Hannah don't deserve a closure that has been ridden out on innocent peoples' backs!

It is their own fault that they won't get closure because they have been silent throughout the whole mayhem, when even a blind person could see that the investigation is going south with the true murderers walking and two burmese patsy children being beaten to confession in a "safe house". It would be the duty of any concerning parent to fight for the truth, not push for "closure" leaving alone announcing in public that they were satisfied with this absolutely unbelievable mess of an investigation!

Like I posted many times - if I were the father of David or Hannah, I would have been there myself, turning the island inside out along with my own private investigation team. After that, the true murderes would have been brought to a "safe house" in the suburbs of Bangkok, where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories to watch and calm me down whenever grief and sadness about my child being killed would set in. That would be my closure!

Only a week ?? Too quick..... :-) A whole toolbox seems like a bit of overkill. I would think a battery powered drill with a 1/8 inch drill bit would do the job.... And yes I am somewhat stunned how quickly the parents of David and Hannah are accepting the " official" version of what happened, when even the Burmese government is voicing doubts about having two of their

citizens get stitched up for the crime....

Edited December 19, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[xygote]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

JTJ has been here already and then promptly departed, I took a screenshot of his vile comment however http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/?p=8821563

Unfortunately that just takes us to the place after his comments were deleted by the mods (well done mods!). I would have like to have seen what he/she/they said though.

[JOC]

The families of David and Hannah don't deserve a closure that has been ridden out on innocent peoples' backs!

It is their own fault that they won't get closure because they have been silent throughout the whole mayhem, when even a blind person could see that the investigation is going south with the true murderers walking and two burmese patsy children being beaten to confession in a "safe house". It would be the duty of any concerning parent to fight for the truth, not push for "closure" leaving alone announcing in public that they were satisfied with this absolutely unbelievable mess of an investigation!

Like I posted many times - if I were the father of David or Hannah, I would have been there myself, turning the island inside out along with my own private investigation team and good friends from Nakhon Si Thammarat. After that, the true murderes would have been brought to a "safe house" in the suburbs of Bangkok, where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories to watch and calm me down whenever grief and sadness about my child being killed would set in. That would be my closure!

Mr. catweazle

What a boring place Thaivisa would be without posters like you!!

"where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories"

Classy!!

Apart from that a good post and I agree with your sentiment 100%

[AleG]

The families of David and Hannah don't deserve a closure that has been ridden out on innocent peoples' backs!

It is their own fault that they won't get closure because they have been silent throughout the whole mayhem, when even a blind person could see that the investigation is going south with the true murderers walking and two burmese patsy children being beaten to confession in a "safe house". It would be the duty of any concerning parent to fight for the truth, not push for "closure" leaving alone announcing in public that they were satisfied with this absolutely unbelievable mess of an investigation!

Like I posted many times - if I were the father of David or Hannah, I would have been there myself, turning the island inside out along with my own private investigation team and good friends from Nakhon Si Thammarat. After that, the true murderes would have been brought to a "safe house" in the suburbs of Bangkok, where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories to watch and calm me down whenever grief and sadness about my child being killed would set in. That would be my closure!

Mr. catweazle

What a boring place Thaivisa would be without posters like you!!

"where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories"

Classy!!

Apart from that a good post and I agree with your sentiment 100%

Yes, torture, how classy.

[catweazle]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

JTJ has been here already and then promptly departed, I took a screenshot of his vile comment however http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/?p=8821563

Unfortunately that just takes us to the place after his comments were deleted by the mods (well done mods!). I would have like to have seen what he/she/they said though.

Reg. JTJ and his pal JDinasia or something, I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there who opt to believe official stories and statements just because they have been labeled as the "official truth" and who are reluctant to see the greater picture and ask uncomfortable questions... Disturbing to see is how agressively and relentless they defended the official version... as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights as these people make it easy for politicians and people in power to play us like puppets

The biggest downer ever for me though was to read that David's and Hannah's parents claimed to be satisfied with the horrifying blunders made during this stitchup. This, to me, is insane.

Edited December 19, 2014 by catweazle

[JOC]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

JTJ has been here already and then promptly departed, I took a screenshot of his vile comment however http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/?p=8821563

Unfortunately that just takes us to the place after his comments were deleted by the mods (well done mods!). I would have like to have seen what he/she/they said though.

Even if his post has disappeared, it doesn't take much of imagination, to figure out its content:

"Now even the Myanmar Government are part of the evil conspiracy theorists network"

[AleG]

Reg. JTJ and his pal JDinasia or something, I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there who opt to believe official stories and statements just because they have been labeled as the "official truth" and who are reluctant to see the greater picture and ask uncomfortable questions... Disturbing to see is how agressively and relentless they defended the official version... as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights as these people make it easy for politicians and people in power to play us like puppets

The biggest downer ever for me though was to read that David's and Hannah's parents claimed to be satisfied with the horrifying blunders made during this stitchup. This, to me, is insane.

"I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there..."

"as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights..."

Says the guy who fantasizes about torturing people.

[Soutpeel]

Hmmmmm.....I am being deafened by the silence from the usual RTP shills and apologists, JTJ, JDinAsia, SvissGeez etc. I would have thought they'd be scrambling to denounce this diversion from the script!

Maybe the fact that not one of them has posted in defence of the RTP case yet lends strength to the rumour that they are in fact one person working with or for the RTP?

Surely they/he/she will break silence soon and come wading in to defend the official version.

JTJ has been here already and then promptly departed, I took a screenshot of his vile comment however http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/?p=8821563

Unfortunately that just takes us to the place after his comments were deleted by the mods (well done mods!). I would have like to have seen what he/she/they said though.

Reg. JTJ and his pal JDinasia or something, I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there who opt to believe official stories and statements just because they have been labeled as the "official truth" and who are reluctant to see the greater picture and ask uncomfortable questions... Disturbing to see is how agressively and relentless they defended the official version... as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights as these people make it easy for politicians and people in power to play us like puppets

The biggest downer ever for me though was to read that David's and Hannah's parents claimed to be satisfied with the horrifying blunders made during this stitchup. This, to me, is insane.

Its not the fact that they are opting to believe the party line, its more of the fact these posters have a vested interest somehow in this whole case, and one could conclude its a financial or " friends" thing, and they have been bleating on about truth and justice in this case but in reality they are only interested in their "interests" what ever they maybe, so they are just as bad as the RTP

[JLCrab]

From Post #72 above: ... as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights as these people make it easy for politicians and people in power to play us like puppets.

From the screenplay to The Wizard of Oz (1939):

HICKORY All right, Mrs. Gale. But some day they're going to erect a statue to me in this town, and --

AUNT EM Well, don't start posing for it now.

[uty6543]

The families of David and Hannah don't deserve a closure that has been ridden out on innocent peoples' backs!

It is their own fault that they won't get closure because they have been silent throughout the whole mayhem, when even a blind person could see that the investigation is going south with the true murderers walking and two burmese patsy children being beaten to confession in a "safe house". It would be the duty of any concerning parent to fight for the truth, not push for "closure" leaving alone announcing in public that they were satisfied with this absolutely unbelievable mess of an investigation!

Like I posted many times - if I were the father of David or Hannah, I would have been there myself, turning the island inside out along with my own private investigation team and good friends from Nakhon Si Thammarat. After that, the true murderes would have been brought to a "safe house" in the suburbs of Bangkok, where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories to watch and calm me down whenever grief and sadness about my child being killed would set in. That would be my closure!

Mr. catweazle

What a boring place Thaivisa would be without posters like you!!

"where I would spend a week with them, my toolbox and a camera to record some nice memories"

Classy!!

Apart from that a good post and I agree with your sentiment 100%

Yes, torture, how classy.

In your eyes it is OK to defend the RTP torturers but denounce what a grieving father might do. Reprehensible.

What is your opinion of the Burmese governments statement? Or do you now accept that you and you cohorts where wrong all along?

[siampolee]

Interesting to note that jdinasia admits to the fact that there is corruption within the R.T.P.

The selection of officers from other areas, as opposed to locally, is better when combating corruption.

Now wasn't the ''outside '' investigation chief removed with indecent haste from the case when a certain family and its members were the focus of the then investigation team?

The explanation given was that the move was due to a promotion schedule.

Also it seems as if a certain person has taken a break from his studies at university in Bangkok and it is said that he has gone, or is on route to Satun to become a monk.

Seeking forgiveness through merit giving perhaps?

Certainly the authorities in Myanmar are to be congratulated on their actions concerning this horrific murder and their support and defence of the two accused scapegoats.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785090-matichon-dissolution-of-the-royal-thai-police/page-6#entry8823380

jdinasia post # 71

The main issue is going to remain, that is having both adequate pay and adequate training for non-commisioned police. (pay for commissioned officers is too low as well.)

Edited December 19, 2014 by siampolee

[JLCrab]

Reg. JTJ and his pal JDinasia or something, I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there who opt to believe official stories and statements just because they have been labeled as the "official truth" and who are reluctant to see the greater picture and ask uncomfortable questions... Disturbing to see is how agressively and relentless they defended the official version... as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights as these people make it easy for politicians and people in power to play us like puppets

The biggest downer ever for me though was to read that David's and Hannah's parents claimed to be satisfied with the horrifying blunders made during this stitchup. This, to me, is insane.

"I have to say that I find it very frightening to see that there are people out there..."

"as long as there are people out there like that, humanity will never have a chance to true freedom, democracy and human rights..."

Says the guy who fantasizes about torturing people.

...fantasizing... about torturing the swines that have raped and killed my daughter and who were not satisfied with just that but had to beat her head to a bloody pulp... Yes, I'd torture such a "person" (as you put it) to death and - if we would be living in a free world - a father would have the god given right to revenge the violent death and rape of his own child. An eye for an eye! I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees!

Great ... just be sure you have the right swines.

[webfact]

Myanmar probe team says it has witnesses to prove two Myanmar suspects are innocent



BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the Myanmar special committee said today that the committee now has some witnesses who were ready to prove the innocence of two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering the two British tourists on Koh Tao on September 15.

In a press conference held Thursday in Bangkok, the spokesman said the two Myanmar suspects, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun did not murder the two tourists, David Miller, 24, and Ms Hannah Witheridge, 23.

He said the two confessed to the murder because they were tortured and forced to confess. But he said they later retracted the confession because the Thai police imposed several serious charges upon them, one of which was the rape and murder conspiracy.

The Myanmar embassy has appointed a committee to investigate and so far it has questioned more than 40 Myanmar migrant workers in Koh Tao.

The committee has found a number of witnesses who could help to prove the two suspects were not involved in the murder.

But these witnesses said they were reluctant to testify as witnesses for fear of the Thai police, and their employers. But what they were most concerned about was that they could be laid off if they testify.

The Myanmar embassy’s investigation team was assured that they would cooperate to testify under condition that they must be protected.

Meanwhile the Samui provincial prosecutor Mr Tawatchai Siengjaew said that the press conference today by the Myanmar embassy was considered a normal judicial procedure to defend the suspects and have no impact on the evidence which the prosecutors have in prosecuting both of them in the court.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/myanmar-probe-team-says-witnesses-prove-two-myanmar-suspects-innocent


-- Thai PBS 2014-12-19

[AGareth2]

so we now know who the real conspiracy theorists are!

according to the Burmese Embassy anyway

[EyesWideOpen]

Oh boy.........Could be some serious loss of face coming around the corner for the RTP....

Well hopefully the Myanmar investigation team will not be killed like the Saudi Arabia

investigation team for the blue diamond affaire...

[siampolee]

BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the Myanmar special committee said today that the committee now has some witnesses who were ready to prove the innocence of two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering the two British tourists on Koh Tao on September 15.

Meanwhile the Samui provincial prosecutor Mr Tawatchai Siengjaew said that the press conference today by the Myanmar embassy was considered a normal judicial procedure to defend the suspects and have no impact on the evidence which the prosecutors have in prosecuting both of them in the court.

So it seems no matter what evidence is given that a verdict has been reached concerning this horrific crime. No impact at all on the accusations eh.

Indeed we now see that the agenda has been set and no doubt paid for in the outcome of this mater.

[atyclb]

Let them setup a live video conference attended by neutral country impartial observers and the international press. This way they can testify in realtime from myanmar without fear.

[lildragon]

"Sek acknowledged that no extradition of a wanted person could be made if the laws of Thailand and the relevant country did not recognise the same criminal offence and it was unlikely the country would extradite anyone facing a political charge."

Yes, so why bother and why make your self and the country look less relevant and foolish ?

An (impotent) attempt to intimidate Thai expats into staying quiet? 'We know where you are, who you are. There is no escape...'

This politician in the shadows... is he fond of his whistles?

[Suffinator]

All the usual rhetoric from the expat community ... accusing the RTP and Government of being complicit in all the corruption, murder and other illegal activities ... and yet here you all are supporting the regime.

How many times have I heard people calling for change and yet refuse to take action that brings about that change. You should all be ashamed of yourselves but I guess there's no dragging you off that bar stool.

I've said it before, I'll say it again ... it is YOU, not the Gov, that holds the power to change. All you need to do is leave and then publicly state why you left ... yes change is possible but only if you initiate it otherwise anything you say here is mere hollow words that the Thai officialdom will laugh at.

It's not the RTP or the Gov that's just corrupt or inept ... it's the foreigners who live in Thailand.

[StealthEnergiser]

Now we are about to see the truth let's hope they are protected and given given new jobs , it takes a lot of courage it would be great if they could be told the story of Malala Yousafzai teenage Noble peace prize winner.

[JOC]

Myanmar probe team says it has witnesses to prove two Myanmar suspects are innocent

BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the Myanmar special committee said today that the committee now has some witnesses who were ready to prove the innocence of two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering the two British tourists on Koh Tao on September 15.

In a press conference held Thursday in Bangkok, the spokesman said the two Myanmar suspects, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun did not murder the two tourists, David Miller, 24, and Ms Hannah Witheridge, 23.

He said the two confessed to the murder because they were tortured and forced to confess. But he said they later retracted the confession because the Thai police imposed several serious charges upon them, one of which was the rape and murder conspiracy.

The Myanmar embassy has appointed a committee to investigate and so far it has questioned more than 40 Myanmar migrant workers in Koh Tao.

The committee has found a number of witnesses who could help to prove the two suspects were not involved in the murder.

But these witnesses said they were reluctant to testify as witnesses for fear of the Thai police, and their employers. But what they were most concerned about was that they could be laid off if they testify.

The Myanmar embassy’s investigation team was assured that they would cooperate to testify under condition that they must be protected.

Meanwhile the Samui provincial prosecutor Mr Tawatchai Siengjaew said that the press conference today by the Myanmar embassy was considered a normal judicial procedure to defend the suspects and have no impact on the evidence which the prosecutors have in prosecuting both of them in the court.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/myanmar-probe-team-says-witnesses-prove-two-myanmar-suspects-innocent

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-19

Best Xmas present in many years!!

Brave witnesses willing to testify.

Myanmar government standing up for its citizens.

Proof that the B2 are indeed scapegoats.

The RTP shamed again.

It doesn't get much better than that!!

[siampolee]

Suffinator post # 88.

All the usual rhetoric from the expat community ... accusing the RTP and Government of being complicit in all the corruption, murder and other illegal activities ... and yet here you all are supporting the regime.

How many times have I heard people calling for change and yet refuse to take action that brings about that change. You should all be ashamed of yourselves but I guess there's no dragging you off that bar stool.

?

I've said it before, I'll say it again ... it is YOU, not the Gov, that holds the power to change. All you need to do is leave and then publicly state why you left ... yes change is possible but only if you initiate it otherwise anything you say here is mere hollow words that the Thai officialdom will laugh at.

It's not the RTP or the Gov that's just corrupt or inept ... it's the foreigners who live in Thailand.

Well are you a Thai national?

If ''yes,''.

What are you doing that may be considered constructive about this matter if anything?

If you are a foreigner are you about to leave as a protest move in this matter?

If so, do you really think your departure is going to have a ground moving affect upon the Thai government, the country in general and its peoples?

[JLCrab]

From the body of ThaiPBS Story 19 DEC via the link at #82: The committee has found a number of witnesses who could help to prove the two suspects were not involved in the murder.

From the lead paragraph of the story as posted at #82: BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the Myanmar special committee said today that the committee now has some witnesses who were ready to prove the innocence of two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering the two British tourists on Koh Tao on September 15.

Edited December 19, 2014 by JLCrab