Senior police team to reopen death probe of Japanese girl in Sukhothai killed 8 years ago



BANGKOK: -- A senior police investigation team and investigators from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) were leaving Bangkok this morning for Phitsanuloke province to collect significant evidence that may divulge who was the murderer of the Japanese tourist.

The victim, Miss Tomoko Kawashita, 25, from Osaka, was found killed near the Sukhothai Historical Park on November 24, 2007.

Until today the murderer is still at large.

Today the senior police team led by Pol Gen Jarumporn Suramanee, advisor to the Royal Thai Police and a specialist in forensic investigation, and DSI deputy director general Pol Lt Col Pong-in Intarakao were making preparation to travel to Phitsanuloke to collect some key evidence.

The team also included specialists from the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Police General Hospital.

According to the DSI, investigators have gained significant evidence which is the DNA sample of a suspect.

They also found that Sukhothai police investigators had collected DNA samples of several several suspects and local government officials who worked in the area during the time of the murder, before the murder probe was transferred to the DSI for handling.

But DSI had found that local investigators had not collected DNA samples of all people suspected and the collected DNA samples did not match the suspect.

The DSI and senior police team had met to debate the issue on October 9 and it was agreed that they will go to Sukhothai to collect DNA samples of all suspects and all officials who happened to work near the place and at the time when the murder took place.

In addition, the team plans another trip to Sukhothai on October 29 to collect DNA samples and finger prints of state officials who were not collected for reexamination.

The opening of the case followed request by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to the DSI to handle the investigation murder.

Earlier the DSI met the commander of Sukhothai police and the commander of the border patrol police based at Ramkhamhaeng camp for cooperation in collecting DNA samples from 160 border patrol police officers who were commissioned at the camp at the time of the murder eight years ago.

DSI wanted DNA test because DNA test had not yet conducted on these policemen.

The test was intended to dispel public suspicion that the border police might be involved in the murder as earlier autopsy indicated that the knife used to kill the Japanese tourist was a bayonet used only in the military and border police.

Miss Tomoko Kawashita was found killed near the Sukhothai Historical Park on November 24, 2007.

She had been seen touring the park, a World Heritage site, on a bicycle rented the day she was killed

The DSI had come up with a new theory that the victim might have been killed by her murderer using a military knife and not a kitchen knife as earlier thought.

The deep knife wounds on the victim’s throat led the DSI to suspect that she was attacked with a bayonet.

The DSI has revived the case for renewed investigation after Japanese ambassador Shigekazo Sato in February 2014 raised the case with former national police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew.

The ambassador expressed concern for the safety of some 1.2 million Japanese tourists visiting Thailand annually.

For the past eight years, there has been no progress about the case although many dozens of suspects were rounded up and eventually released.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/senior-police-team-to-reopen-death-probe-of-japanese-girl-in-sukhothai-killed-8-years-ago


-- Thai PBS 2015-10-27

"According to the DSI, investigators have gained significant evidence which is the DNA sample of a suspect."

I'm sure the chain of evidence is perfectly intact. Most likely just a show too appease the Japanese ambassador. Note to all Burmese in the Phitsanuloke area: Go on a long vacation until this one is fixed...err...solved.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

Same here in Chiang Mai. Kirsty Jones killer is still at large! Another complete farce of investigation!

....and you've got a pack running a free for all on a Turtle of an island....

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

Sadly, no it doesn't. It only has an upside if they actually do their job properly. Given the propensity for ignoring the facts when it doesn't suit the desired outcome, the "upside" isn't guaranteed. Not by a long way.

At least there is hope of catching the actual killer or closing the case .... better late than never in this country as you can't expect anything to be done on time yet

Not worry about that

Reopen the disaster in Khao Tao

Catch that dirty Thsi

Let the innocent free you lost police officers

Been me up scotty

Hope they catch the criminal responsible for the murder.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

Sadly, no it doesn't. It only has an upside if they actually do their job properly. Given the propensity for ignoring the facts when it doesn't suit the desired outcome, the "upside" isn't guaranteed. Not by a long way.

Are you saying that the non-existant investigation will actually be made worse by being re-opened?

Amazing.

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Thai Police can be very serious and professional if they want to. Good luck to the valiant officials who will go down that abyss now. They WILL get him. This is like COLD CASE... Sweet girl it was, too

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Tom, what time today did you pop open your first brewsky?

the same 8 years ago as it is today a murder dealt with gross ineptitude by the rtp a murder of a foreigner skipped over because it may have involved a local if the murder weapon was a bayonet then the dna tests should have included all the troops in the area and anyone that had access to the weapon .

TPP and all that

hope they get them

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Tom, what time today did you pop open your first brewsky?

None today, but not an unfair question. I had been taking some time out the couple of days before. Children off school and shouting very loudly for no reason at all drove me out of the house for a bit. I've got to say that there's little chance they'll turn out a top investigation here. I've contacted the police about serious crimes involving white people in the past---worth hundreds of millions of dollars and try as I might they still were more interested in extorting some old man who'd had a car accident for a couple of hundred pounds. It's quite funny. He could hardly hold his head up and they were trying to sweet talk him into cooperating. I'm not saying the crime element was funny but he couldn't keep his head up and I doubt he'd've managed to get to the cash point whilst being carried. They'd already tried to avoid the situation of dealing with me by dumping me at a small police outpost. The outpost was closed, but there was one of them in there getting up to something with a lady who I don't think was his wife. He was totally confused at being caught out. You just couldn't make it up.

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Tom, what time today did you pop open your first brewsky?

None today, but not an unfair question. I had been taking some time out the couple of days before. Children off school and shouting very loudly for no reason at all drove me out of the house for a bit. I've got to say that there's little chance they'll turn out a top investigation here. I've contacted the police about serious crimes involving white people in the past---worth hundreds of millions of dollars and try as I might they still were more interested in extorting some old man who'd had a car accident for a couple of hundred pounds. It's quite funny. He could hardly hold his head up and they were trying to sweet talk him into cooperating. I'm not saying the crime element was funny but he couldn't keep his head up and I doubt he'd've managed to get to the cash point whilst being carried. They'd already tried to avoid the situation of dealing with me by dumping me at a small police outpost. The outpost was closed, but there was one of them in there getting up to something with a lady who I don't think was his wife. He was totally confused at being caught out. You just couldn't make it up.

Tom, I will keep the beers flowing if you have more stories like that ;-)

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Tom, what time today did you pop open your first brewsky?

None today, but not an unfair question. I had been taking some time out the couple of days before. Children off school and shouting very loudly for no reason at all drove me out of the house for a bit. I've got to say that there's little chance they'll turn out a top investigation here. I've contacted the police about serious crimes involving white people in the past---worth hundreds of millions of dollars and try as I might they still were more interested in extorting some old man who'd had a car accident for a couple of hundred pounds. It's quite funny. He could hardly hold his head up and they were trying to sweet talk him into cooperating. I'm not saying the crime element was funny but he couldn't keep his head up and I doubt he'd've managed to get to the cash point whilst being carried. They'd already tried to avoid the situation of dealing with me by dumping me at a small police outpost. The outpost was closed, but there was one of them in there getting up to something with a lady who I don't think was his wife. He was totally confused at being caught out. You just couldn't make it up.

Maybe the rest of us couldn't but it sure looks like your imagination is running wild.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

Sadly, no it doesn't. It only has an upside if they actually do their job properly. Given the propensity for ignoring the facts when it doesn't suit the desired outcome, the "upside" isn't guaranteed. Not by a long way.

Are you saying that the non-existant investigation will actually be made worse by being re-opened?

Amazing.

Well yes re-opening old wounds only to end in the same place would be worse, and quite likely.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

Wonder why the B2 Dna ran out and this case still has samples???

An off topic post has been removed.

kiwikeith post # 21.

Wonder why the B2 Dna ran out and this case still has samples???

A yen for the truth perhaps !!

If the RTP were really serious about actually trying to solve this murder case, they wouldn't just be taking these evidence gathering steps now -- 8 long years after, and only after protest from the Japanese ambassador.

When these kinds of officlal responses occur, it's almost invariably always for show and face -- not the actual intention of catching the culprit or righting a wrong.

Plus, given how the authorities handled the DNA evidence in the KT murder case, you can only wonder what's gone on with whatever original DNA evidence there was from the victim and the crime scene in this case. Obviously, to be out looking for people's DNA today, presumably, the police are trying to find a match to some evidence originally present on the victim or at the crime scene, perhaps the knife/bayonet...

Edited October 27, 201510 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

I think although I am no expert that once they do a DNA test and take a snapshot of that DNA profile that it will remain the same for a very long time.

Thai Police can be very serious and professional if they want to. Good luck to the valiant officials who will go down that abyss now. They WILL get him. This is like COLD CASE... Sweet girl it was, too

Apart from the last 2 sentences, I assume you are taking the Pithhss

Don't let us forget that there's probably going to be some financial incentive to catch someone. My gut feeling is that the setting up of foreign workers will still be in the polices' minds. Think back to the War on Drugs. They were killing old people in their shops and generally terrorising themselves as they were told by someone it would be OK. In such an environment, where this was endorsed by most of the population---whilst they generally also take drugs, is always going to be a disaster. Lack of forward planning is another serious issue. They don't think about things in a strategic manner, but are highly reactionary. They're very bad at public relations and this doesn't help. In the Koh Tao case, they were denying the possibility of it being a Thai, whilst also claiming that tourists can't be wandering about with bikinis. Thailand's the only country on earth where the general consensus is that rape's a recreational activity, which is a bit of a laugh. Killing someone who wants to make a fuss is therefore blamed on them for being spoil sports.

Tom, what time today did you pop open your first brewsky?

None today, but not an unfair question. I had been taking some time out the couple of days before. Children off school and shouting very loudly for no reason at all drove me out of the house for a bit. I've got to say that there's little chance they'll turn out a top investigation here. I've contacted the police about serious crimes involving white people in the past---worth hundreds of millions of dollars and try as I might they still were more interested in extorting some old man who'd had a car accident for a couple of hundred pounds. It's quite funny. He could hardly hold his head up and they were trying to sweet talk him into cooperating. I'm not saying the crime element was funny but he couldn't keep his head up and I doubt he'd've managed to get to the cash point whilst being carried. They'd already tried to avoid the situation of dealing with me by dumping me at a small police outpost. The outpost was closed, but there was one of them in there getting up to something with a lady who I don't think was his wife. He was totally confused at being caught out. You just couldn't make it up.

Maybe the rest of us couldn't but it sure looks like your imagination is running wild.

Aided by copious amounts of amber liquid.

In this case a prime suspect could be someone from the General's Army?

In the Kao Tao case, one suspect was a high ranking island official's son.

What are the possibilities that they would ever be fully investigated or arrested?....unless they get someone with a terminal illness to confess to help out their family....

Sometimes real stories are more fictional than the movies.....

I suspect they'll get some sort of reward for opening this case again .

Plenty of cold cases in Thailand , must be very difficult to solve unless the killer is talking.

In fact they have reopened because of the unrelenting pressure from the family and the embassy. If not it would have been long forgotten. Let;s hope they can get the real culprit.

The important thing is it has been re-opened and they will be collecting more DNA samples, right?

News like this only has upside.

Wonder why the B2 Dna ran out and this case still has samples???

The Burmese don`t have mass industries in Thailand employing thousands of Thais.