French man found dead in Koh Tao – incident being treated as suicide not homicide

[sgtsabai]

HeijoshinCool, thanks for adding your insight. You've got the experience where as 99.9% of us don't. I was basically a "possum" cop that because of our remote area worked with all agencies and many crime scenes. Just too many loose ends and piss poor investigation again. I wonder just how well the crime scene was protected this time, about the same as the double homicide? Somehow I suspect the "pathologist" may have been somebody with some medical experience, maybe even a degree (maybe) that checked for pulse, breathing and then said, he's dead, there is a rope around his neck so it was suicide-case closed, burn the evidence, oops I mean the body. Open minds are few and far between in the RTP and their "apologists".

[Nemesis7]

Glad at least one expert took the stand to explain it.

[dirtycash]

if there was foul play, which i suspect off course there was , then why did the murderers not cut the ropes off his arms before leaving ? surely that makes sense ?

[micmichd]

Whoa! Slow down. Did this investigator use the word "Theory"? He better be careful if conspiracy gets in there he might be labeled a crack pot by people viewing this thread!

You don't know much about theory and falsifiable hypotheses, do you?

[micmichd]

If you are going away to kill yourself why bother to tie up your hands to many anomalies here to be an open and shut case, it would be nice if the RTP would spend some time looking into the case.

It's been said before: to commit yourself to suicide plan.

[SiBKK]

Another life lost in Thailand under questionable circumstances. Reminds me of the Russian who jumped several floors in central Bangkok earlier this year........nobody questioned if he was pushed.......?

[stephen terry]

Alternative suicide note for you guys in case you find yourself in a similar situation:

Rachael, everyone doesn't really understand me.

[KamalaRider]

if there was foul play, which i suspect off course there was , then why did the murderers not cut the ropes off his arms before leaving ? surely that makes sense ?

It wouldn't have been a suicide if they did.

[KamalaRider]

Police and physicians carried out an autopsy and believe the cause of death was asphyxiation, the case is being treated as a suicide and not as a homicide. The man’s body has been taken to Koh Tao temple.

Why would they return the mans body to KT?

I would assume they did not perform the autopsy on the island.

What autopsy ?

[Tredz]

banned Kho Tao !

RIP my wishes for the family !

[spidermike007]

It has more or less gotten to the point where if the RTP had at least a shred of credibility before, after both of these separate sets of murders committed on the dark side of Tao, there is not one iota of credibility remaining, I think it is safe to label the RTP a fraudulent organization, in that no truth can ever be expected to be found there, and there is ALWAYS an agenda other than simple law enforcement. The urgent need for a complete reorganization of their ranks, from top to bottom is becoming more obvious by the day. They hold the country back, on so many levels, be it the complete lack of traffic safety, the astonishing lack of discipline, the lack of credible forensic equipment or expertise, and the ease at which they are manipulated by power, money, or influence. How many countries of the world have less effective law enforcement than Thailand?

[Fullstop]

French man found hanged with hands tied

Criminologist doubts suicide theory

Is this guy's nickname "Sherlock" by any chance?

[april81]

Whoa! Slow down. Did this investigator use the word "Theory"? He better be careful if conspiracy gets in there he might be labeled a crack pot by people viewing this thread!

You don't know much about theory and falsifiable hypotheses, do you?

I'm agree very disrespectful and very insulting to the victim RIP

[micmichd]

Alternative suicide note for you guys in case you find yourself in a similar situation:

Rachael, everyone doesn't really understand me.

& buffalo not call me on phone.

[freedom4life]

No really??....

[kkup]

Any history on the guy? Nice to know more about his life on Koh Tao, friends, relationships, jobs etc. Plus confirmation from family it was his hand writing.

[whaleboneman]

if there was foul play, which i suspect off course there was , then why did the murderers not cut the ropes off his arms before leaving ? surely that makes sense ?

They forgot? Or the poor guy was kicking the crap out of them and they had to leave? Or perhaps the feeling of impunity on this scary little island is such that it doesn't really matter? After all, the police are predetermining it as suicide.

I will never return to Koh Tao.

[carter1882]

Once again the people on here supporting the expert are just as absurd as those who might denigrate him. In any case of sudden death anywhere in the world a defence team can find an expert to say one thing and a prosecution team can find an expert to say the complete opposite.

[metisdead]

A distasteful troll post has been removed as well as the replies.

[stephen terry]

Once again the people on here supporting the expert are just as absurd as those who might denigrate him. In any case of sudden death anywhere in the world a defence team can find an expert to say one thing and a prosecution team can find an expert to say the complete opposite.

That's how the defence of the Burmese will disassemble the prosecution's DNA evidence. In this case I would suggest bruises on the wrist and the absence of them on the neck needs a lot of explaining how the guy hung himself to death.

[englishoak]

if there was foul play, which i suspect off course there was , then why did the murderers not cut the ropes off his arms before leaving ? surely that makes sense ?

They forgot? Or the poor guy was kicking the crap out of them and they had to leave? Or perhaps the feeling of impunity on this scary little island is such that it doesn't really matter? After all, the police are predetermining it as suicide.

I will never return to Koh Tao.

If it wasnt suicide but actually a murder leaving hands tied is a message and a warning to others. Considering this is KT and someone actually offered a lot of money to be donated to the police fund if anyone could prove involvement of a certain family but nothing about using the money for a reward to actually catch the murderers. That wasnt a reward that was a simple statement about whos got the money, where the support lays and whos got the power on KT. dont be under any illusion where it lays and its not the police.

Lets be honest its probably not a great idea to be predetermining a suicide if the victim is found hands tied, not saying it wasnt a suicide just that to predetermine it is given the anomalies, place and regularity people die on this island it is pretty stupid NOT to have a full investigation to be certain.

Better to take the criminologists suggestion and get the investigation done properly, The police are some really dumb ***S if they dont realise the impact any doubt and lack of certainty this death will have on everything else KT related.

[sambum]

Ruling suicide saves time and is less work and there is no profit in investigating deaths under suspicious circumstances.

You're not wrong...

In fact; if the RTP on Koh Tao bang up the guy that keeps paying them to look the other way, the murders will stop and so will their paychecks!

Perish the thought...

While I normally take no joy in wishing harm, or death to someone I don't even know,,, Certain people just deserve such,,,, I'd love nothing more than to see the person I think many people suspect of most of this crap on that island, end up EXACTLY,, in a similar situation,, something along the lines of what he's most likely done to more than a few people on that island, and who knows where else ,,, I would truly enjoy following THAT thread on here, and watch the RTP, step, fetch, and jump through hoops to satisfy that persons family,,, very doubtful it'd be such an open and shut case as all the others we read about on here seem to be,,,

No one deserves a death like this, whether suicide or not.

You must be very desperate to commit suicide like this, and I think that many suicides (incl. suicide attempts) are also a result of unheard cries for help. Thailand (especially Pattaya) seems to be getting a magnet for Farang desperados. Any ideas why?

1. a desperate or reckless person, especially a criminal.

   synonyms:

   bandit, criminal, outlaw, lawbreaker, villain, renegade;

I have, but there are a group of posters on here that would immediately scream out "conspiracy theory" and to be quite honest, I am tired of their shenanigans in defence of anything amiss on Koh Tao.

However, you mentioned Pattaya, so maybe they'll keep their noses out of this post. The mere definition of the word "desperado" implies the criminal fraternity/mafia. Consequently, any "falling out" with this bunch will inevitably lead to unexplained deaths and suicides, and in the case of Pattaya, it is known world wide as a "playground" catering for sex tourists or unattached people who are often lonely people desperate for some attention (as you implied in your post). Unfortunately the latter are all too easily ensnared by the local mafia, hence the fatalities mentioned above - probably as a result of unpaid "debts" etc. And yes, many suicides are a result of unheard cries for help, but IMHO, a great number of "suicides" in Pattaya are actually not suicides at all, but a form of "debt collection" or "sending a message" to the customers.

So I would disagree with your statement that "Thailand (especially Pattaya) seems to be getting a magnet for Farang desperados." The desperados have been in Pattaya for a long time, and are not farangs!

[Vogele123]

Well, good for him, seems like an honest guy - guess his chances of job enrichment and any further promotion will now be well out of the window, poor bugger!

[Adeeos]

Once again the people on here supporting the expert are just as absurd as those who might denigrate him. In any case of sudden death anywhere in the world a defence team can find an expert to say one thing and a prosecution team can find an expert to say the complete opposite.[/quote

You're absolutely right.... and those cases actually do go to trial,,, to be decided by a judge and jury... But ONLY in Thailand... can a little $$$$$ ..and the assurance of.. those actually in charge of INVESTIGATING said crime can say.... "NO Thai could EVER do such a thing.. HAS to be foreigner.. OR bad spirit or Scaaaary ghost",,, be mentioned in the same sentence... and be reported on the news. As if it were actually FACT! and a majority of Thai's and those. certain TVF Farlang's will go along... defend that assessment to try and feel as if they're the Thai.. they'll, NEVER be... no matter how much they spend.... name.... show a SINGLE case where a Thai.. Hi.. or even lo -so... actually went to jail for murdering a Farlang.... try it.....

[maidee]

suicide, it is the least work for RTP

than they can go back to more lucrative activities

[sweatalot]

Criminologist doubts suicide theory of a tourist

BANGKOK: -- A criminologist has voiced his support for calls by media and relatives of a victim of suspected suicide by the police and forensic experts to look for more evidences to determine the exact cause of the death the victim.

The victim who was a tourist was found dead in his hotel room on New Year’s Day with his hands and neck tied to ropes. Police suspected he committed suicide by hanging himself.

But Associate Professor Charnkanit Krittiya Suriyamanee, a criminologist and lecturer at the faculty of social science and humanities of Mahidol University, said he doubted the suicide theory citing some irrelevant evidences.

He said that the victim had been drunk to the extent that he was unable to control himself, he would not have been able to tie himself up so tightly that he died of suffocation.

Had he hanged himself, the professor pointed out that the bruises should have appeared on the neck than on his wrists. Also, he noted that the several pieces of rope which were used in the suspected suicide appeared to be different which might suggest that the death was not caused by suicide.

The wound on the victim’s elbow could have been inflicted by someone else, he said.

He also suggested that it was not too late to check the level of alcohol in the body of the dead victim to find out if he was drunk or not.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/criminologist-doubts-suicide-theory-tourist

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-06

Hopefully the police did not mess up the crime site so nothing could be proven. Wouldn't be the first time

[Adeeos]

Criminologist doubts suicide theory of a tourist

BANGKOK: -- A criminologist has voiced his support for calls by media and relatives of a victim of suspected suicide by the police and forensic experts to look for more evidences to determine the exact cause of the death the victim.

The victim who was a tourist was found dead in his hotel room on New Year’s Day with his hands and neck tied to ropes. Police suspected he committed suicide by hanging himself.

But Associate Professor Charnkanit Krittiya Suriyamanee, a criminologist and lecturer at the faculty of social science and humanities of Mahidol University, said he doubted the suicide theory citing some irrelevant evidences.

He said that the victim had been drunk to the extent that he was unable to control himself, he would not have been able to tie himself up so tightly that he died of suffocation.

Had he hanged himself, the professor pointed out that the bruises should have appeared on the neck than on his wrists. Also, he noted that the several pieces of rope which were used in the suspected suicide appeared to be different which might suggest that the death was not caused by suicide.

The wound on the victim’s elbow could have been inflicted by someone else, he said.

He also suggested that it was not too late to check the level of alcohol in the body of the dead victim to find out if he was drunk or not.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/criminologist-doubts-suicide-theory-tourist

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-06

Hopefully the police did not mess up the crime site so nothing could be proven. Wouldn't be the first time

Weeell,, another TVF poster has already posted he was sent exclusive pics of at least the poor man's body... You could pretty well assume they're not... "official" pics. But maybe they are,,, either way.. exactly HOW secured/professional is that?.. So?... There's your answer.....

[brianj1964]

I have never believed this was suicide. Grissom would have cracked this one days ago

[condo62]

What would constitute a homocide invetigstion in LOS.... (Land Of Suicides)

[CapeThai]

It does not really take a Criminologist to figure this one out is it ?? Excuse me Sir, would you mind tying my hand behind my back after Im done comiting suicide ??

For Gods sake, it is what it is..... Simply Another Koh Tao murder.... on a farang.