Forensic team to testify in Koh Tao murder trial

[thailandchilli]

Well, good luck with that:

Thailand's top cop warns of legal action over critical Koh Tao social media posts

BANGKOK: Royal Thai Police Commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang has warned of tough legal action against anyone posting false information on social networks criticising the handling of the Koh Tao murders case by the police.

He said such posts could cause rifts and be a threat to the Thai economy. Posting information which is inaccurate and false could breach Article 14 of the Computer Crime Act, which carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a B100,000 fine, or both.

And this is the same Somyot who said (commenting on the arrest of the BKK bombers) that the Thai police force are the best in the world. Maybe he should take a look in the mirror.

JoopJoop, you are taking a risk. At best they'll humour you.

Humor, as in being laughed out of the door, yes, best case scenario.

You guys really, really need to have a reality check before you end up hurting yourselves.

Some people are prepared to take risks for the sake of real justice and they are to be commended in the face of draconian and abused laws.

[joebrown]

"Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has said "nobody would dare" go after the wrong suspects because the case was so high-profile."

There is not one logical sentence that guy has spoken whenever he opened his mouth in regards to the case. The worst ever was his babble about sexy girls wearing sexy dresses and bikinis (Hannah was properly dressed and wearing a skirt) being at fault themselves if they get raped and killed. I believe that quote should have driven more attention and condemnation worldwide, thus it should be repeated whenever possible to show what kind of person is ruling this country with his iron fist...

It appears a lot more money, time and effort is being put into finding the Erewan bombers, than ever was applied to the Koh Tao murders. Here's an example : -

"Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang has instructed his adviser on forensic science, Police General Jarumporn Suramanee, to work with the Metropolitan Police for digital 'superimposition' of images to determine whether Karadag is the bomber, whose image was caught on security cameras.

Somyot said an ally country and a company with the necessary equipment had offered to help with the digital superimposition, but he declined to identify them."

Looking at both atrocities, almost a year apart I am drawn to the conclusion that from the very early days an agenda was created to divert the public's attention away from the real KT murderers, because they are Thai and/or police, or both. I include the police directly in this scenario because there is one individual on KT who has a fascination/fetish for blonde hair, and who according to his own comment on Facebook is "now beginning to love himself again". I'm left wondering what happened to stop loving himself, because I thought it was a pre-requisite of being a Thai policeman that one should always love oneself, (and more importantly defend/protect one's colleagues, no matter what it involves).

Is there any chance of such high grade technological 'superimposition' technology ever being applied to the CCTV images of the 'running man'? Slim to non is my guess.

[thailandchilli]

"The murders on an idyllic beach shocked the UK and Thailand due to their brutality."...quoted from the Guardian.

I don't about the UK but as a resident here, Thailand is not "shocked". Perhaps Thai Gen Y are aware but ask anyone else, it's a shrug of the shoulders.

I understand Thai media and broadcasters may be bound by Article 44, but they really need to take this case by the balls, so to speak. Deplorable.

I'm with you on this JoopJoop ... Regularly I read on this thread statements like 'they better get it right because the whole world is watching' ... and I wonder about the guys who write such phrases. Where do they live ? On TVF Planet, most likely, because that's the only 'world' where effectively, a whole bunch of people are concerned (and rightly so) with the Koh Tao murders and the ensuing legal rigmarole.

In the UK, obviously, some citizens are also following the story, albeit from a distance, because the victims were British so the British newspaper do write episodically about it.

As for the rest of Europe, the US, and the rest of the world including South East Asian countries, sadly, it must be said in all honesty that 99% of the people don't even know about it. Even those who do don't care much because they feel it's just one more bad news in an ocean of bad news : disasters, wars, massacres, mounting racism, terrorism ...

That's the truth of it. I'm not saying it's right, but pretending that 'the whole world' is watching the Koh Tao murders investigation and trial is nothing short of delusional.

With respect, people use that term as a figure of speech, its also used by the media in this particular case. I could mention the alternatives but I won't bore the thread with those.

[thailandchilli]

"Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has said "nobody would dare" go after the wrong suspects because the case was so high-profile."

There is not one logical sentence that guy has spoken whenever he opened his mouth in regards to the case. The worst ever was his babble about sexy girls wearing sexy dresses and bikinis (Hannah was properly dressed and wearing a skirt) being at fault themselves if they get raped and killed. I believe that quote should have driven more attention and condemnation worldwide, thus it should be repeated whenever possible to show what kind of person is ruling this country with his iron fist...

It appears a lot more money, time and effort is being put into finding the Erewan bombers, than ever was applied to the Koh Tao murders. Here's an example : -

"Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang has instructed his adviser on forensic science, Police General Jarumporn Suramanee, to work with the Metropolitan Police for digital 'superimposition' of images to determine whether Karadag is the bomber, whose image was caught on security cameras.

Somyot said an ally country and a company with the necessary equipment had offered to help with the digital superimposition, but he declined to identify them."

Looking at both atrocities, almost a year apart I am drawn to the conclusion that from the very early days an agenda was created to divert the public's attention away from the real KT murderers, because they are Thai and/or police, or both. I include the police directly in this scenario because there is one individual on KT who has a fascination/fetish for blonde hair, and who according to his own comment on Facebook is "now beginning to love himself again". I'm left wondering what happened to stop loving himself, because I thought it was a pre-requisite of being a Thai policeman that one should always love oneself, (and more importantly defend/protect one's colleagues, no matter what it involves).

Is there any chance of such high grade technological 'superimposition' technology ever being applied to the CCTV images of the 'running man'? Slim to non is my guess.

Apparently they did carry out some form of this process, however it was obviously outdated technology they used seeing as their asking for help on the Bangkok incident.

On the 23rd Sept 2014 this was reported:

Police have used superimposition, a specialised forensic medical technique, to compare an image of a man captured by a surveillance camera with the pictures of suspects and expect to find the murderers of two British tourists on Ko Tao in a few days. The superimposition technique was applied to two of three suspects who allegedly molested Hannah Witheridge, one of the murdered tourists,on Sept 15, the night of the murder. A tourist had photographed them before the killings. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-use-superimposition-technique-to-identify-k-30243922.html

The following day the 24th this was reported:

Police have confirmed that Montriwat is the man appeared in the CCTV video footage near the scene and they still did not rule out a possible connection. http://www.chiangraitimes.com/police-release-suspects-in-murder-of-two-brits-in-koh-tao.html

Who knows?

[Fat Haggis]

Somyot is full of hot air, amongst other things, this is a man whose organisation has been the largest guilty party by far for spreading false information and he needn't worry about the damage done by others, the RTP are more than capable of doing this all on their own.

Anyone who has also been following the Erawan shrine bombings will also know how full of shit the RTP are with their constant statements that were in direct contradiction to what was happening on the ground.

Also interesting that there's a distinct lack of a group of posters giving off their "opinions" there, but here, well it shows that the death of tourists through horrendous acts of violence outwith Koh Tao means Jack shit to them, in other words this case is personal, a vested interest, and pretty much an agenda.

I've been lambasting the cops and their sterling investigative techniques there too, and very critical of Somyots handling of that case too.

The boo hoo boys here seem upset about the contents of the UK coroners reports and crying in their cornflakes about underhand techniques because the prosecution allegedly didn't get that document, but since day one, the defence have been denied documentation that backs up the RTP and their handling of any alleged DNA, and the boo hoo boys don't see that as wrong? To me that's withholding evidence, which in most other places would be considered a crime on its own.

It is the prosecutions job to present ALL the evidence they have to secure a conviction, it is the defences job to be able to counter ALL the prosecutions evidence, and to be able to cross examine said witnesses, even before this trial started the defence were complaint about not receiving the prosecutions evidence.

I just don't get how the boohoo brigade don't understand the role of both the prosecution and defence and that they both do everything within their power, and the confines of the law to either get the conviction or acquittal, do they believe that somehow these basic things are different because TIT and it's Koh Tao, and they have agendas ?

It's simple, the prosecution are suppressing their own evidence and failing to comply to requests for proof of existence really. You have a poster stating that maybe they just didn't have that stuff there with them on that day, like it was something simple like forgetting your car keys!!

Then you have the police stating that they don't have the budget for storing pictures and other evidence which is pretty incredible to say the least, I carry a flash drive with all my personal details on me wherever I go, it cost me 200baht for 32GB that's an awful lot of info I can hold!!

So it's been delay and excuse after excuse over these documents, they are like the child who always makes excuses about not submitting his homework on time, not because he has a genuine reason, but because he hadn't don't it!!

The judges should have not requested, but DEMANDED they produce these documents within 24 hours, plenty of time to open a filing cabinet of your old school and don't have everything on e-files and send the stuff on the next flight to samui by courier!! But no, it's not coming, why?

If it's all on e-file, a quick attachment on an email and it's there within seconds!!

Simple, little Somchi hasn't done his homework!!

There is no documentation as its all been a total fabrication, I'm more than willing to be corrected on this by the boohoo brigade when the chain of custody documents and the paperwork that accompanied the DNA samples both before and after they were processed arrive on the defences desk, as per their request.

I'm not holding my breath they will ever get them, as its impossible as in my opinion, and many other here seem to agree..... They simply don't exist!!

[Dogmatix]

Andy Hall tweeted,

"Samui court judges & lawyers discussed today Koh Tao case judgement will be sent to director general region 8 for checking prior to release."

What civilised country allows police investigators to check a judge's ruling before it is released?

Clearly Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen is no longer commission of Region 8 any more. There is no news of him since he was replaced in the investigation for having the audacity to try to investigate influential Thai suspects who appeared far more likely to have committed the crimes than the 2B who were subsequently arrested and charged. I guess he is now swatting mosquitos in National Police HQ along with dozens of other police generals transferred to inactive posts for PC activities.

Edited September 26, 2015 by Dogmatix

[Trisha61]

Again we hear a prolific poster hold onto the DNA issue, when there is no chain of custody, results produced faster than even experts have stated, why wasn't the person who conducted these tests able to provide documentation and a schedule of events that took place the moment the DNA was handed over to them?

What were the instructions given as to the priority of those samples, also pretty sure that it was claimed that the samples actually went to Singapore as Thailand didn't have the ability to produce fast results.

Who signed for the samples on receipt of them, and who signed for the results after they were complete?

Far too many discrepancies with regards to simple hearsay that DNA was actually submitted, without any signatures and a chain of custody, these examples are the figment of imaginations, discrepancies in both autopsies should have been enough to make someone go " wait a minute, what's going on here" but nope, the results are dismissed immediately out of hand, that's not an opinion, that's an agenda pure and simple.

It is impossible to tell what the current position about the status of the DNA evidence actually is from newspaper reports of statements by "spokesmen" who do not know anything about what DNA evidence is, or how it is gathered , or how it is interpreted, made to reporters who are even more ignorant, and who are usually translating very badly and inaccurately into English.

I would say objectively at present there is no way of telling what DNA evidence there is, how it has been presented in the case, and what the future status of any presentation is going to be. I do not trust social media accounts, and I do not trust newspapers except in as far as they are directly reporting what has been said in court, not at second hand, but because the reporter has been present in court, and understands the language.

I think I believe at the very minimum that the defence has engaged one of the best known forensic DNA experts in the world, Jane Taupin, and that she has not testified, although she is ready to. I cannot believe that this has been made up, as this person is too well known to be the subject of false rumours.

The explanation given for her lack of testimony by Andy Hall is that the report on which the DNA evidence was based has not been made available, so she cannot give testimony on it. This also seems unlikely to have been made up, as it would be too easy to find out and report that it isn't true. In addition I remember reading that when the police forensic witness was on the stand giving testimony it was reported that she said the police refuse to make the DNA report available, citing a Thai law that prevents private information on individuals being circulated (!). This may well be false reporting however.

Now the verifiable fact that the defence have a world expert on DNA ready to testify and she has not been able to seems to require a LOT of explanation. If the police will not make available the report on which their entire case is based, that tells you something fairly significant. I have always thought that, even if the Thai police have fabricated every other item of evidence out of an arrogant and stupid desire to make their case better, then if this DNA evidence is true, they are probably on a safe and justified conviction.

It now seems to me more and more likely that this DNA evidence either doesn't exist at all, or is so compromised and inadequate that it doesn't even prove identity. What possible reason could there be to hide the only evidence directly linking the accused to the crime?

Excellent post partington, thank you for sharing.

[StealthEnergiser]

Why isn't the media questioning Prayuth about his statement that he was convinced the b2 did it and that it would be easy to understand once the evidence the rtp were holding was produced ?

[Trisha61]

It is impossible to tell what the current position about the status of the DNA evidence actually is from newspaper reports of statements by "spokesmen" who do not know anything about what DNA evidence is, or how it is gathered , or how it is interpreted, made to reporters who are even more ignorant, and who are usually translating very badly and inaccurately into English.

I would say objectively at present there is no way of telling what DNA evidence there is, how it has been presented in the case, and what the future status of any presentation is going to be. I do not trust social media accounts, and I do not trust newspapers except in as far as they are directly reporting what has been said in court, not at second hand, but because the reporter has been present in court, and understands the language.

I think I believe at the very minimum that the defence has engaged one of the best known forensic DNA experts in the world, Jane Taupin, and that she has not testified, although she is ready to. I cannot believe that this has been made up, as this person is too well known to be the subject of false rumours.

The explanation given for her lack of testimony by Andy Hall is that the report on which the DNA evidence was based has not been made available, so she cannot give testimony on it. This also seems unlikely to have been made up, as it would be too easy to find out and report that it isn't true. In addition I remember reading that when the police forensic witness was on the stand giving testimony it was reported that she said the police refuse to make the DNA report available, citing a Thai law that prevents private information on individuals being circulated (!). This may well be false reporting however.

Now the verifiable fact that the defence have a world expert on DNA ready to testify and she has not been able to seems to require a LOT of explanation. If the police will not make available the report on which their entire case is based, that tells you something fairly significant. I have always thought that, even if the Thai police have fabricated every other item of evidence out of an arrogant and stupid desire to make their case better, then if this DNA evidence is true, they are probably on a safe and justified conviction.

It now seems to me more and more likely that this DNA evidence either doesn't exist at all, or is so compromised and inadequate that it doesn't even prove identity. What possible reason could there be to hide the only evidence directly linking the accused to the crime?

I think the very fact that lawyers, experts like Jane Taupin and others are willing to assist pro bono in this case shows the very real concern of those able to judge the evidence (or rather lack thereof). It has often struck me that the most highly skilled experts in their fields are often those most willing to offer their expertise free of charge in a good cause. For all that this case has shown much of the worst of human nature, it is wonderful to see that good human beings will put themselves out to prevent injustice to two poor migrant workers.

Here Here BritTim, I'll second that!

[fab99]

Why isn't the media questioning Prayuth about his statement that he was convinced the b2 did it and that it would be easy to understand once the evidence the rtp were holding was produced ?

We know perfectly well how he would answer to that...

Convocation for an attitude adjustment

Throw a banana at the journalist (did you see this nice video?)

Threaten to shoot the journalists... Then say it's just a joke.

I guess the western media could ask such a question, but I highly doubt thai media would.

Unfortunately I also really think investigative journalism is not as good as it used to be.

[StealthEnergiser]

Yes BritTim and Partinton make it perfectly clear no need to read other posts that are long enough to make a fairytail book out of .

[BritTim]

Somyot is full of hot air, amongst other things, this is a man whose organisation has been the largest guilty party by far for spreading false information and he needn't worry about the damage done by others, the RTP are more than capable of doing this all on their own.

Anyone who has also been following the Erawan shrine bombings will also know how full of shit the RTP are with their constant statements that were in direct contradiction to what was happening on the ground.

Also interesting that there's a distinct lack of a group of posters giving off their "opinions" there, but here, well it shows that the death of tourists through horrendous acts of violence outwith Koh Tao means Jack shit to them, in other words this case is personal, a vested interest, and pretty much an agenda.

I've been lambasting the cops and their sterling investigative techniques there too, and very critical of Somyots handling of that case too.

The boo hoo boys here seem upset about the contents of the UK coroners reports and crying in their cornflakes about underhand techniques because the prosecution allegedly didn't get that document, but since day one, the defence have been denied documentation that backs up the RTP and their handling of any alleged DNA, and the boo hoo boys don't see that as wrong? To me that's withholding evidence, which in most other places would be considered a crime on its own.

It is the prosecutions job to present ALL the evidence they have to secure a conviction, it is the defences job to be able to counter ALL the prosecutions evidence, and to be able to cross examine said witnesses, even before this trial started the defence were complaint about not receiving the prosecutions evidence.

I just don't get how the boohoo brigade don't understand the role of both the prosecution and defence and that they both do everything within their power, and the confines of the law to either get the conviction or acquittal, do they believe that somehow these basic things are different because TIT and it's Koh Tao, and they have agendas ?

It's simple, the prosecution are suppressing their own evidence and failing to comply to requests for proof of existence really. You have a poster stating that maybe they just didn't have that stuff there with them on that day, like it was something simple like forgetting your car keys!!

Then you have the police stating that they don't have the budget for storing pictures and other evidence which is pretty incredible to say the least, I carry a flash drive with all my personal details on me wherever I go, it cost me 200baht for 32GB that's an awful lot of info I can hold!!

So it's been delay and excuse after excuse over these documents, they are like the child who always makes excuses about not submitting his homework on time, not because he has a genuine reason, but because he hadn't don't it!!

The judges should have not requested, but DEMANDED they produce these documents within 24 hours, plenty of time to open a filing cabinet of your old school and don't have everything on e-files and send the stuff on the next flight to samui by courier!! But no, it's not coming, why?

If it's all on e-file, a quick attachment on an email and it's there within seconds!!

Simple, little Somchi hasn't done his homework!!

There is no documentation as its all been a total fabrication, I'm more than willing to be corrected on this by the boohoo brigade when the chain of custody documents and the paperwork that accompanied the DNA samples both before and after they were processed arrive on the defences desk, as per their request.

I'm not holding my breath they will ever get them, as its impossible as in my opinion, and many other here seem to agree..... They simply don't exist!!

Little Somchai did not need to hand in his homework. All he had to do was assure the teacher he had done it, and all his answers were perfect.

[fireplay]

Somyot is full of hot air, amongst other things, this is a man whose organisation has been the largest guilty party by far for spreading false information and he needn't worry about the damage done by others, the RTP are more than capable of doing this all on their own.

Anyone who has also been following the Erawan shrine bombings will also know how full of shit the RTP are with their constant statements that were in direct contradiction to what was happening on the ground.

Also interesting that there's a distinct lack of a group of posters giving off their "opinions" there, but here, well it shows that the death of tourists through horrendous acts of violence outwith Koh Tao means Jack shit to them, in other words this case is personal, a vested interest, and pretty much an agenda.

I've been lambasting the cops and their sterling investigative techniques there too, and very critical of Somyots handling of that case too.

The boo hoo boys here seem upset about the contents of the UK coroners reports and crying in their cornflakes about underhand techniques because the prosecution allegedly didn't get that document, but since day one, the defence have been denied documentation that backs up the RTP and their handling of any alleged DNA, and the boo hoo boys don't see that as wrong? To me that's withholding evidence, which in most other places would be considered a crime on its own.

It is the prosecutions job to present ALL the evidence they have to secure a conviction, it is the defences job to be able to counter ALL the prosecutions evidence, and to be able to cross examine said witnesses, even before this trial started the defence were complaint about not receiving the prosecutions evidence.

I just don't get how the boohoo brigade don't understand the role of both the prosecution and defence and that they both do everything within their power, and the confines of the law to either get the conviction or acquittal, do they believe that somehow these basic things are different because TIT and it's Koh Tao, and they have agendas ?

It's simple, the prosecution are suppressing their own evidence and failing to comply to requests for proof of existence really. You have a poster stating that maybe they just didn't have that stuff there with them on that day, like it was something simple like forgetting your car keys!!

Then you have the police stating that they don't have the budget for storing pictures and other evidence which is pretty incredible to say the least, I carry a flash drive with all my personal details on me wherever I go, it cost me 200baht for 32GB that's an awful lot of info I can hold!!

So it's been delay and excuse after excuse over these documents, they are like the child who always makes excuses about not submitting his homework on time, not because he has a genuine reason, but because he hadn't don't it!!

The judges should have not requested, but DEMANDED they produce these documents within 24 hours, plenty of time to open a filing cabinet of your old school and don't have everything on e-files and send the stuff on the next flight to samui by courier!! But no, it's not coming, why?

If it's all on e-file, a quick attachment on an email and it's there within seconds!!

Simple, little Somchi hasn't done his homework!!

There is no documentation as its all been a total fabrication, I'm more than willing to be corrected on this by the boohoo brigade when the chain of custody documents and the paperwork that accompanied the DNA samples both before and after they were processed arrive on the defences desk, as per their request.

I'm not holding my breath they will ever get them, as its impossible as in my opinion, and many other here seem to agree..... They simply don't exist!!

Boohoo brigade. I like the intensity of everybodies passionate posts coming out here.

[Aj Mick]

Why isn't the media questioning Prayuth about his statement that he was convinced the b2 did it and that it would be easy to understand once the evidence the rtp were holding was produced ?

Such impertinence…….. They probably dare not!

[BritTim]

Why isn't the media questioning Prayuth about his statement that he was convinced the b2 did it and that it would be easy to understand once the evidence the rtp were holding was produced ?

Well, in theory that could still be true. However, one might then ask when this evidence the RTP were holding was going to be produced. In the courtroom during the trial is traditionally held to be an appropriate time.

[Aj Mick]

I wont go into detail about this case if by any chance these two boys are exonerated will the rtp go after the real murderers ? ,I say murderers because there was more than one person involved one person was given the cold shoulder by Hannah witheridge, a likely suspect angry at losing face a motive for murder?

Fat chance of the real murderers being bought to justice. If the B2 are not convicted, it would likely become a cold case, with the evidence having been "used up", mislaid, or otherwise no longer available.

[beammeup]

I think many of us are waiting for this evidence to be presented. Does anyone know if or when it will be?

[BritTim]

Andy Hall tweeted,

"Samui court judges & lawyers discussed today Koh Tao case judgement will be sent to director general region 8 for checking prior to release."

What civilised country allows police investigators to check a judge's ruling before it is released?

Clearly Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen is no longer commission of Region 8 any more. There is no news of him since he was replaced in the investigation for having the audacity to try to investigate influential Thai suspects who appeared far more likely to have committed the crimes than the 2B who were subsequently arrested and charged. I guess he is now swatting mosquitos in National Police HQ along with dozens of other police generals transferred to inactive posts for PC activities.

Actually, it is the Director General of the Public Relations Department who is going to have his say on the verdict. In a way, that is only fair as he is going to need to handle the backlash when the verdict is announced, especially if it is a guilty verdict.

[BritTim]

I think many of us are waiting for this evidence to be presented. Does anyone know if or when it will be?

I have stated several times my fear that it will be presented to the judges shortly after the trial ends, when there is no opportunity for the defense to call witnesses to contest it.

[AleG]

I think many of us are waiting for this evidence to be presented. Does anyone know if or when it will be?

The prosecution evidence? I already has been presented, weeks ago during the hearings. The thing is that, unlike the defense, they chose not run a parallel public relations campaign to promote their work.

Now the judge agreed for one extra day for the prosecution and the defense, so they may add something more during their allotted time.

[evadgib]

I wont go into detail about this case if by any chance these two boys are exonerated will the rtp go after the real murderers ? ,I say murderers because there was more than one person involved one person was given the cold shoulder by Hannah witheridge, a likely suspect angry at losing face a motive for murder?

Fat chance of the real murderers being bought to justice. If the B2 are not convicted, it would likely become a cold case, with the evidence having been "used up", mislaid, or otherwise no longer available.

The 'tsunami' at the end of this trial will dwarf the one in 2004...

[JoopJoop]

Are you aware of Brazil's approval of "lynching"?

75% of the public condone the practice.

I recently returned from a BASE trip there.....and even the girls and lads I was with are aware of this atrocity and the subsequent ineptitude.

I said "tell your friends and family not to come here".

I've also told all of my Aus family and friends.

I'm tempted to hand out flyers down Khao San Road asking travelers to boycott Death Island.

Lynching...you catching my drift?

I must go to Chidlom Monday and plan to drop in to RTP Headquarters.

I have the greatest respect for the positive contributors on this thread but now wish to act proactively myself and within the bounds of the law.....whatever the <deleted> that is.

Well, good luck with that:

BANGKOK: Royal Thai Police Commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang has warned of tough legal action against anyone posting false information on social networks criticising the handling of the Koh Tao murders case by the police.

Yes, I'm well aware of that however, incompetence is not "false information".

That's just one. Thanks for your concern AleG. Well noted.

[JoopJoop]

Are you aware of Brazil's approval of "lynching"?

75% of the public condone the practice.

I recently returned from a BASE trip there.....and even the girls and lads I was with are aware of this atrocity and the subsequent ineptitude.

I said "tell your friends and family not to come here".

I've also told all of my Aus family and friends.

I'm tempted to hand out flyers down Khao San Road asking travelers to boycott Death Island.

Lynching...you catching my drift?

I must go to Chidlom Monday and plan to drop in to RTP Headquarters.

I have the greatest respect for the positive contributors on this thread but now wish to act proactively myself and within the bounds of the law.....whatever the <deleted> that is.

Well, good luck with that:

Thailand's top cop warns of legal action over critical Koh Tao social media posts

BANGKOK: Royal Thai Police Commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang has warned of tough legal action against anyone posting false information on social networks criticising the handling of the Koh Tao murders case by the police.

He said such posts could cause rifts and be a threat to the Thai economy. Posting information which is inaccurate and false could breach Article 14 of the Computer Crime Act, which carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a B100,000 fine, or both.

And this is the same Somyot who said (commenting on the arrest of the BKK bombers) that the Thai police force are the best in the world. Maybe he should take a look in the mirror.

JoopJoop, you are taking a risk. At best they'll humour you.

Thanks Stephen and don't worry AleG, I'll have local support.

[Trisha61]

Ultimately the exact content of the report will be known, it can't be public for now as the inquest is not closed yet, but it was forwarded to the defense because it showed differences with the Thai report (which hasn't been made public either, and whose pictures have been denied to the defense for whatever reason).

We are talking here about a case where the B2 are facing the death penalty, so I think it is normal that anything credible (and I classify as so a report made by British coroner with verifiable credentials) that can show doubts about their culpability is receivable.

But I guess anything outside the "allowed" pieces of evidence and information showing a different scenario than the one presented by the RTP is difficult to accept.

The thing is this scenario is really no longer believable not only because of the coroner report but because of various other elements provided by the defense team, that we can all agree has done quite a good job so far with the limited resources they have.

Despite a couple of posters saying that the prosecution should have access to the full report to question it, the judges in the case do have the full report and so will make their own decision on this, lets hope its the right one.

On a point of information, the prosecution have also been given a copy of the UK autopsy report.

Glad to hear that.

Its a crime that the prosecution have not however given the defense or judges the chain of custody documents to the alleged DNA evidence against the suspects. Let alone all the other physical evidence that is extremely significant and has not been produced or tested.

Out of likes, but totally agree.

[thailandchilli]

I think many of us are waiting for this evidence to be presented. Does anyone know if or when it will be?

The prosecution evidence? I already has been presented, weeks ago during the hearings. The thing is that, unlike the defense, they chose not run a parallel public relations campaign to promote their work.

Now the judge agreed for one extra day for the prosecution and the defense, so they may add something more during their allotted time.

I'm not exactly sure what your implying here AleG

The defense asked for more time, not the prosecution. When the prosecution wanted more time they just took it regardless that it was due to be a day for the defense. Consequently the defense lost a day of their allocated time.

The judge has granted that extra time to the defense quite rightly so in view of that. Now that time is for the defense to finish their witnesses. The prosecution of course have their opportunity to cross examine but thats all. Its not their allotted time to present new evidence.

Edited September 26, 2015 by thailandchilli

[beammeup]

OK so the compelling evidence has been presented already at a hearing, I presume that the defence was present but this is not available to the public? This evidence was not contested by the defence? So the judge will make a verdict based on this evidence and we will never know what this evidence is?

[AleG]

OK so the compelling evidence has been presented already at a hearing, I presume that the defence was present but this is not available to the public? This evidence was not contested by the defence? So the judge will make a verdict based on this evidence and we will never know what this evidence is?

The judge has to present a report detailing the reasons for his decision when passing the verdict, that, presumably, includes what evidence was taken into account.

[joebrown]

"Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has said "nobody would dare" go after the wrong suspects because the case was so high-profile."

There is not one logical sentence that guy has spoken whenever he opened his mouth in regards to the case. The worst ever was his babble about sexy girls wearing sexy dresses and bikinis (Hannah was properly dressed and wearing a skirt) being at fault themselves if they get raped and killed. I believe that quote should have driven more attention and condemnation worldwide, thus it should be repeated whenever possible to show what kind of person is ruling this country with his iron fist...

It appears a lot more money, time and effort is being put into finding the Erewan bombers, than ever was applied to the Koh Tao murders. Here's an example : -

"Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang has instructed his adviser on forensic science, Police General Jarumporn Suramanee, to work with the Metropolitan Police for digital 'superimposition' of images to determine whether Karadag is the bomber, whose image was caught on security cameras.

Somyot said an ally country and a company with the necessary equipment had offered to help with the digital superimposition, but he declined to identify them."

Looking at both atrocities, almost a year apart I am drawn to the conclusion that from the very early days an agenda was created to divert the public's attention away from the real KT murderers, because they are Thai and/or police, or both. I include the police directly in this scenario because there is one individual on KT who has a fascination/fetish for blonde hair, and who according to his own comment on Facebook is "now beginning to love himself again". I'm left wondering what happened to stop loving himself, because I thought it was a pre-requisite of being a Thai policeman that one should always love oneself, (and more importantly defend/protect one's colleagues, no matter what it involves).

Is there any chance of such high grade technological 'superimposition' technology ever being applied to the CCTV images of the 'running man'? Slim to non is my guess.

Apparently they did carry out some form of this process, however it was obviously outdated technology they used seeing as their asking for help on the Bangkok incident.

On the 23rd Sept 2014 this was reported:

Police have used superimposition, a specialised forensic medical technique, to compare an image of a man captured by a surveillance camera with the pictures of suspects and expect to find the murderers of two British tourists on Ko Tao in a few days. The superimposition technique was applied to two of three suspects who allegedly molested Hannah Witheridge, one of the murdered tourists,on Sept 15, the night of the murder. A tourist had photographed them before the killings. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-use-superimposition-technique-to-identify-k-30243922.html

The following day the 24th this was reported:

Police have confirmed that Montriwat is the man appeared in the CCTV video footage near the scene and they still did not rule out a possible connection. http://www.chiangraitimes.com/police-release-suspects-in-murder-of-two-brits-in-koh-tao.html

Who knows?

Sorry, I forgot about that CCTV identification process. Didn't Mon actually say at the outset it was he in the frame(s), which to most intelligent observers is untrue. Presumably he did so to protect the real 'running man', who is unlikely ever to be brought to account, due to the deflective, orchestrated actions of the police. No matter what people say about the Thai police, they remain the best that money can buy.

[Mooner]

OK so the compelling evidence has been presented already at a hearing, I presume that the defence was present but this is not available to the public? This evidence was not contested by the defence? So the judge will make a verdict based on this evidence and we will never know what this evidence is?

The judge has to present a report detailing the reasons for his decision when passing the verdict, that, presumably, includes what evidence was taken into account.

To whom does he have to present the report?...the public?

[StealthEnergiser]

Andy Hall tweeted,

"Samui court judges & lawyers discussed today Koh Tao case judgement will be sent to director general region 8 for checking prior to release."

What civilised country allows police investigators to check a judge's ruling before it is released?

Clearly Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen is no longer commission of Region 8 any more. There is no news of him since he was replaced in the investigation for having the audacity to try to investigate influential Thai suspects who appeared far more likely to have committed the crimes than the 2B who were subsequently arrested and charged. I guess he is now swatting mosquitos in National Police HQ along with dozens of other police generals transferred to inactive posts for PC activities.

Not sure if you were aware but the Autopsy report that you translated last year was put up yesterday some members pointed out a few discrepancies in relation to David and Hannah.

The report was deleted because of not being an official translation and another member got a little upset due to some of the wording so it was deleted.

Do you know if there is an official translation online ?