Koh Tao: Suspects found guilty of murdering British backpackers

[DaveinAsia]

Does anyone know what Buddhism says about conspiring to frame two innocents for murders they didn't commit? And what about Buddhists who don't come forward to tell the truth?

For months and months I was convinced that someone would come forward and speak the truth no matter what, because their religion speaks about doing good and the laws of karma but it never happened. Strange.

So of 100's of people on Koh Tao who actually know what really happened nobody came forward with their story? And all out of fear? It's impossible to cover up a story of this magnitude on such a small island! So it's kind of logical that many people know the real story. There must even be farangs who live and work on Tao who know the truth, either working in the diving industry or owning businesses. That nobody sticks their neck out for anyone anymore is maybe part of the time we live in. Can't imagine someone who knows the truth would be quiet and let 2 boys be sent to jail all their lives or even killed for a crime they didn't commit. That's impossible

[iReason]

“In response to the defense team’s repeated calls for access to forensic evidence that the prosecution said links Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo to the rape and murder, police revealed in court that swabs taken from semen found in Witheridge’s body are no longer available because they were “used up” in the original testing, which was conducted privately.”

"Only two people were present for the entire process: a police officer and a police doctor. There were no photographs of the process, either.”

“When we mentioned this in the court, they quipped that we have been watching too much CSI."

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436774626

[glenmohr]

Congratulations to the Burmese for standing up for their citizens.

In tandem with very large demonstrations across Myanmar the Burmese President has written to Prayuth demanding a re examination of the trial and its evidence.

The Burmese ambassador in Bangkok is now demanding same.

Source: Channel News Asia, Singapore which have run it as their lead story.

This thing ain't going away, it is about to get a whole lot bigger, shame on Thailand and shame on UK for their silence in the face of such a huge miscarriage of justice!

Why is the UK silent ( I mean the officials not the media)?

Did it cross anybodies mind that they kept silent knowing that the if information they would provide could lead to a death sentence? And that they would not be allowed to do so (just like with the confirmation of the IMEI code -which eventually was done through the Thai embassy)?

That is now history Mr Asia, the death sentence has been already pronounced, new page please.

[stephenterry]

Also on August 21, the defence withdrew a request to the court to have DNA tests re-taken on prosecution evidence. Up to that point defence lawyers had said that this was central to their case.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/16198-thai-police-confirm-british-cooperation-in-koh-tao-case.html

Seems to me, that when the defence saw that the DNA evidence implicated the B2 as being the murderers, they suddenly lost interest in this as it was so damaging to their cause rather than being able to aid it as hoped. In the first instance, they were screaming to high heaven to be allowed to see the DNA evidence, then all of the sudden they mysteriously buried it once they had been allowed to view it and it was to pay no more of a role in the defence case from this point on!!

I think that it was at this point that they realised that they were 'well and truly sunk' and facing the inevitable truth that the B2 were in fact guilty and facing the gallows. The judges could see through the ruses that proliferated the defence teams case and dismissed them one by one, preferring to look at real hard evidence as supplied by the prosecutors.

Oh dear, more misinformation and pure conjecture. It might have escaped your notice that the defence repeatedly requested the original samples so they could re-test them, and that was granted by the courts both at the July hearing and subsequently - but the prosecution refused to supply them at any point. No original samples - all used up. Plus the B2 willingly had their DNA taken at the trial, and independently tested, so if the results matched the so called samples (if they actually existed) it would be conclusive evidence. Strikes me that is the action of innocent men.

So, what do you think of that?

From AP

Authorities have possession of crucial DNA evidence in the murder trial of two Burmese migrants accused of killing two young British tourists on a Thai resort island, the national police chief insisted Friday, disputing reports that it might have been lost.

``It is not lost,'' national police chief Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung told reporters in Bangkok. ``I repeat: Nothing is lost.''

Somyot called it a misunderstanding that stemmed from foreign media covering the case who might have poor Thai language skills.

Somyot said the local police investigator, Lt Col Somsak Nurod, was vague in histestimony and therefore was misinterpreted. Somsak was no longer in possession of the DNA evidence since he collected it and then sent it to the Forensics Medicine Institute in Bangkok, Somyot said.

``Nothing is missing. It's a misunderstanding,'' the police chief said.

Seems that the DNA evidence was not lost after all.

More misinformation. The original samples were all used up. What the Rtp guy was referring to was a half way house a replication, and that was not satisfactory. Sorry, you need to get your head around that the Rtp are just as capable of providing diversionary tactics to mislead people into believing their assertions. They've had decades of practice.

[Inn Between]

Very sad. Shame on Thailand!

Condolences to the falsely convicted and their families.

Two wrongs to make a Thai-style right. That's the real essence of "Thainess"

[iReason]

“The chief investigator was speaking after police had summoned the owner of the In touch Bar for questioning after investigators discovered that both victims had visited the bar and had had an altercation before they were found dead.”

“Another person summoned was the owner of AC Pub, who local residents say is an influential person and the older brother of the man who owns In touch Bar. Panya led the interrogation of both individuals.”

“Meanwhile a Police source said it was not possible that people on the island did not have any knowledge of what might have happened on the night of the murder, the source said maybe they don't want to talk to police, as they do not want to have problems with an influential group.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-free-bar-owners-and-look-for-ex-village-hea-30243997.html

[iReason]

"People are not talking now on the island," said one source with knowledge of its underworld.”

"But they know something about what has happened."

“Asked if Koh Tao had a drug problem during a visit had to the island on Saturday, Police General Somyot, Thailand's top police officer, said:

"No, no, no. I can't say that."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11111532/Thai-island-murder-investigation-hits-a-wall-of-silence.html

[foxteen]

After watching the video of the family of one victim, I will agree that

these two innocent looking men likely committed this crime, and deserve their fate. Could you sit through all

of the court time that they did and do any better? That is my question to the rest of this forum's

audience. These 2 guys had SEVEN lawyers to defend them and lost the case. The lawyers were also top lawyers

do not forget! RIP to the two victims who should have been able to enjoy a wonderful vacation

in Thailand instead of meeting a cruel viscous end. My condolences to the family and friends of the

victims I hope you are able to get over this tragedy and still enjoy

Thailand in the future as a nice holiday destination.

I'm very sorry to tell you that you can watch 1000's more videos. I live here and personally, I'm 100% sure the two boys from Burma wasn't involved.

The crime itself was and is horrendous, the aftermath even worse because the RTP and justice system isn't based on justice as in most countries.

This is Thailand with corruption and the possibility to buy yourself out from a difficult situation.

My rank for the whole justice system is -10 for Thai and +7 for the Swedish, on a scale from 0 to 10.

There are people getting killed in jail before trial just because some important people don't wan't them to be able to talk.

Life means absolutely nothing here, it's just a theater to continue to get revenues from the tourists and everyday, there are victims of fabricated evidence sent to jail.

The whole trial was just a shameless travesty of justice and if you had followed the whole trial and also knew anything about Thailand, I really doubt you would have expressed your opinion as you have done now.

There are people getting killed in jail before trial just because some important people don't wan't them to be able to talk. Agree

The big mafia boss son...got away with others. All said Kamalarider ..take care yourself

[lucky11]

Don't need to Google it, I'm old enough to know about Derek Bentley - the main difference between the B2 and Derek is that he was not guilty of his crime and hanged whereas these two are and deserve to be hanged for their crimes!!

Then we're in the same camp, save perhaps for the niggling inconvenience of reasonable doubt.

Apart from the fact that, according to the Miller family and presiding judges it was "beyond reasonable doubt" - more precisely, from David's brother it was "absolutely beyond reasonable doubt". These are the people that really matter in this tragic rape and double murder.

No they don't matter at all.

The families are tainted by emotions, grief, nightmares and possibly the feelings of revenge.

They DO matter when it comes to our thoughts and feelings for their loss, but not when it comes to the justice in this case, their beliefs of justice is actually and absolutely not important apart from their own social network within friends and family.

If the same thing would happen to my son or daughter, I would like to have a clear and cut case if the alleged perpetrators were caught, unfortunately, this isn't the case with Ms. Witheridge and Mr. Miller.

.........and the impartial judges! do they matter?

[phuketandsee]

Impartial? You really haven't been paying attention have you?

[lucky11]

Does anyone know what Buddhism says about conspiring to frame two innocents for murders they didn't commit? And what about Buddhists who don't come forward to tell the truth?

For months and months I was convinced that someone would come forward and speak the truth no matter what, because their religion speaks about doing good and the laws of karma but it never happened. Strange.

So of 100's of people on Koh Tao who actually know what really happened nobody came forward with their story? And all out of fear? It's impossible to cover up a story of this magnitude on such a small island! So it's kind of logical that many people know the real story. There must even be farangs who live and work on Tao who know the truth, either working in the diving industry or owning businesses. That nobody sticks their neck out for anyone anymore is maybe part of the time we live in. Can't imagine someone who knows the truth would be quiet and let 2 boys be sent to jail all their lives or even killed for a crime they didn't commit. That's impossible

Now what if.......what if the B2, as I believe, did kill them. Then there wouldn't be anyone to tell the truth as there was no one else there. Could this not actually be the reason that nobody came forward?

[Bluespunk]

If you was told that you could have a hammer or a shark tooth ring to defend yourself, which would you choose (this is fair don't forget, as they can both, according to you, cause similar damage). NB: the ring can have the biggest found shark tooth in the world if you choose that option and I can have the hammer of my choice!!

Before proceeding further into this fantasy please remember that two people lost their lives in the most brutal fashion, and that others might have been failed in the aftermath. If you're bored google Derek Bentley.

Don't need to Google it, I'm old enough to know about Derek Bentley - the main difference between the B2 and Derek is that he was not guilty of his crime and hanged whereas these two are and deserve to be hanged for their crimes!!

Then we're in the same camp, save perhaps for the niggling inconvenience of reasonable doubt.

Apart from the fact that, according to the Miller family and presiding judges it was "beyond reasonable doubt" - more precisely, from David's brother it was "absolutely beyond reasonable doubt". These are the people that really matter in this tragic rape and double murder.

Yes they matter but so do the families of the accused who apparently feel very differently about their guilt being proven "beyond reasonable doubt"

[phuketandsee]

Can someone please post a link or PDF of the English translation of the court ruling? I haven't been able to view all the pages on AH's twitter a/c nor am I able to zoom in order to comfortably read.

Re IMEI (Individual Mobile Equipment Identifier); Entering *#06# into most phones identifies each phone. IMEI's can also be retrieved from the receipt, original packaging or service provider as was likely in this case.

HTH

Well this is my first crack at it -- the pages are out of sequence andKT Court Judgment.pdf you have to + it maybe 400% but I think it's all there.

I believe this is only a first summary and there will be more. The first thing that strikes me is in relation to the hoe. The judge says it was used to kill David but 1) his wounds bear no resemblance to it and certainly not to it being used as his brother has described and 2) I believe Dr. Porntip testified his DNA was only found on the handle indicating a struggle not it's use to cause head wounds.

We should not forget that the RTP said they did not test the murder weapon for DNA or fingerprints. Strange don't you think RTP defenders?

Edited December 27, 2015 by phuketandsee

[iReason]

“A Thai court has heard that the interpreters used…were in fact pancake hawkers who did not properly understand Thai or the suspects’ native Burmese dialect.”

“One of the translators, named Ko Ye, admitted to the defense team that he signed a statement confirming what was said during the interrogation even though it was written in the Thai language,

which he could not read.”

“Wai Phyo said the translator accused him of being party to mob violence against Rohingya in their homeland, he asked me, when the riots started in Burma, where were you? Did you burn down my village?”

http://time.com/4005983/koh-tao-murder-trial-interpreters-backpackers/

Edited December 27, 2015 by iReason

[beammeup]

Does anyone know what Buddhism says about conspiring to frame two innocents for murders they didn't commit? And what about Buddhists who don't come forward to tell the truth?

For months and months I was convinced that someone would come forward and speak the truth no matter what, because their religion speaks about doing good and the laws of karma but it never happened. Strange.

So of 100's of people on Koh Tao who actually know what really happened nobody came forward with their story? And all out of fear? It's impossible to cover up a story of this magnitude on such a small island! So it's kind of logical that many people know the real story. There must even be farangs who live and work on Tao who know the truth, either working in the diving industry or owning businesses. That nobody sticks their neck out for anyone anymore is maybe part of the time we live in. Can't imagine someone who knows the truth would be quiet and let 2 boys be sent to jail all their lives or even killed for a crime they didn't commit. That's impossible

Maybe there isnt anyone who knows and there really isnt a cover up, I agree with you its impossible.

[glenmohr]

Does anyone know what Buddhism says about conspiring to frame two innocents for murders they didn't commit? And what about Buddhists who don't come forward to tell the truth?

For months and months I was convinced that someone would come forward and speak the truth no matter what, because their religion speaks about doing good and the laws of karma but it never happened. Strange.

So of 100's of people on Koh Tao who actually know what really happened nobody came forward with their story? And all out of fear? It's impossible to cover up a story of this magnitude on such a small island! So it's kind of logical that many people know the real story. There must even be farangs who live and work on Tao who know the truth, either working in the diving industry or owning businesses. That nobody sticks their neck out for anyone anymore is maybe part of the time we live in. Can't imagine someone who knows the truth would be quiet and let 2 boys be sent to jail all their lives or even killed for a crime they didn't commit. That's impossible

Interesting post there Dave,

Can I suggest it is because there is simply no one to come forward to.

In another country you might approach your local MP or similar. Thailand has no equivalent of MP because they do not have a parliament, The general has already said he wants the B2 convicted so who could someone come forward to> Sean McAnna won't be coming forward, that's for sure. Anyone caught coming forward will be in ,line for yet another of those assisted suicides.Given that coming forward would most likely be your last act on this earth it might take a while to compose your last words. In another society you might drop by the local parish priest but there is no equivalent of that here. I have long held the view that there is a weakness in the Thai social structure, there is simply no one to talk to. I went out one night to ask people in the soi to lower the noise " Or I will ring the police" Their reply " No need, we are the police" Who can you come forward to?

[DiscoDan]

“The chief investigator was speaking after police had summoned the owner of the In touch Bar for questioning after investigators discovered that both victims had visited the bar and had had an altercation before they were found dead.”

“Another person summoned was the owner of AC Pub, who local residents say is an influential person and the older brother of the man who owns In touch Bar. Panya led the interrogation of both individuals.”

“Meanwhile a Police source said it was not possible that people on the island did not have any knowledge of what might have happened on the night of the murder, the source said maybe they don't want to talk to police, as they do not want to have problems with an influential group.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-free-bar-owners-and-look-for-ex-village-hea-30243997.html

Yes and they were still looking for the people on the log playing the guitar (B2) but they never came forward did they ? even though police were searching the camps looking for people with guitars

3 sought for Koh Tao murders 29/11/014

Investigators yesterday seized three guitars from a shelter of Myanmar workers for examination. One of them was hidden without anyone admitting ownership but the other two had owners,

http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-3-sought-for-koh-tao-murders-48920.php

This is When Panya was in charge

#Mythbusters

[lostinisaan]

It is interesting to reflect upon where the investigation started, in the light of what has transpired. This is from Thai PBS; 23 Sept 2014:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-tourist-murder-suspect-now-arrested-another-run

"The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are still hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok."

"The southern police chief also assured the public that there was no arrest of scapegoats in this murder case as it now is a focal attention of the world.

He also dismissed any suggestion of local mafias or influential people that could twist the investigation with promise that local influence would pose no obstacle to the police investigation."

Indeed ... original suspects were both sons of 'village headman' ... "He (Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen) said both suspects were captured by CCTV cameras and the police have gathered enough evidence to implicate them in the murders". ... and later these favored sons were exonerated and police found the two migrant workers who were ultimately prosecuted and convicted.

Can you smell that smell?

[iReason]

“Sean McAnna, 25, who is from Glasgow, says he was approached by a group of Thai men in a bar on Sairee beach in the early hours of Monday morning.”

”The conversation then took a sinister turn, as the men accused him of murdering fellow British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, telling him, "You're going to hang yourself tonight - We're going to watch you hang".

“Mr McAnna ran away and took refuge in a nearby supermarket, which he was only able to leave once police arrived.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

[mrrizzla]

“Sean McAnna, 25, who is from Glasgow, says he was approached by a group of Thai men in a bar on Sairee beach in the early hours of Monday morning.”

”The conversation then took a sinister turn, as the men accused him of murdering fellow British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, telling him, "You're going to hang yourself tonight - We're going to watch you hang".

“Mr McAnna ran away and took refuge in a nearby supermarket, which he was only able to leave once police arrived.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

I wonder why these two men would threaten Mr McAnna like that and infer that he hang himself if they knew they were innocent of any wrongdoing in the deaths of two tourists (known to Sean) on their island

[DiscoDan]

It is interesting to reflect upon where the investigation started, in the light of what has transpired. This is from Thai PBS; 23 Sept 2014:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-tourist-murder-suspect-now-arrested-another-run

"The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are still hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok."

"The southern police chief also assured the public that there was no arrest of scapegoats in this murder case as it now is a focal attention of the world.

He also dismissed any suggestion of local mafias or influential people that could twist the investigation with promise that local influence would pose no obstacle to the police investigation."

Indeed ... original suspects were both sons of 'village headman' ... "He (Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen) said both suspects were captured by CCTV cameras and the police have gathered enough evidence to implicate them in the murders". ... and later these favored sons were exonerated and police found the two migrant workers who were ultimately prosecuted and convicted.

Can you smell that smell?

They were suspects

Chris Ware was a suspect

The 3 playing guitar were suspects

the list goes on...

just being a suspect doesn't make you guilty

The only difference is Nomsod came forward and cleared his name having his dna taken in front of the media.

And no one has a shred of evidence to place him on the island at the time of the crime let alone the crime scene.

[lostinisaan]

“The chief investigator was speaking after police had summoned the owner of the In touch Bar for questioning after investigators discovered that both victims had visited the bar and had had an altercation before they were found dead.”

“Another person summoned was the owner of AC Pub, who local residents say is an influential person and the older brother of the man who owns In touch Bar. Panya led the interrogation of both individuals.”

“Meanwhile a Police source said it was not possible that people on the island did not have any knowledge of what might have happened on the night of the murder, the source said maybe they don't want to talk to police, as they do not want to have problems with an influential group.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-free-bar-owners-and-look-for-ex-village-hea-30243997.html

Yes and they were still looking for the people on the log playing the guitar (B2) but they never came forward did they ? even though police were searching the camps looking for people with guitars

3 sought for Koh Tao murders 29/11/014

Investigators yesterday seized three guitars from a shelter of Myanmar workers for examination. One of them was hidden without anyone admitting ownership but the other two had owners,

http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-3-sought-for-koh-tao-murders-48920.php

This is When Panya was in charge

#Mythbusters

[Islandlife]

“Sean McAnna, 25, who is from Glasgow, says he was approached by a group of Thai men in a bar on Sairee beach in the early hours of Monday morning.”

”The conversation then took a sinister turn, as the men accused him of murdering fellow British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, telling him, "You're going to hang yourself tonight - We're going to watch you hang".

“Mr McAnna ran away and took refuge in a nearby supermarket, which he was only able to leave once police arrived.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

that is such a bs. Sean was delucional idiot who pretty much made up hes story while was after hes moment of fame and even the sky news reporter who made the story admitted that he shud of checked the story before publishing it. Have u heard of sean since he left island,no! Edited December 27, 2015 by Islandlife

[KarenBravo]

Does anyone know what Buddhism says about conspiring to frame two innocents for murders they didn't commit? And what about Buddhists who don't come forward to tell the truth?

For months and months I was convinced that someone would come forward and speak the truth no matter what, because their religion speaks about doing good and the laws of karma but it never happened. Strange.

So of 100's of people on Koh Tao who actually know what really happened nobody came forward with their story? And all out of fear? It's impossible to cover up a story of this magnitude on such a small island! So it's kind of logical that many people know the real story. There must even be farangs who live and work on Tao who know the truth, either working in the diving industry or owning businesses. That nobody sticks their neck out for anyone anymore is maybe part of the time we live in. Can't imagine someone who knows the truth would be quiet and let 2 boys be sent to jail all their lives or even killed for a crime they didn't commit. That's impossible

Why do you hold Thai citizens to the morals of the country's main religion, when no one does it with the USA and Europe?

Your post just shows how hopelessly naive you are on Thais in particular and humanity in general.

[sambum]

Also on August 21, the defence withdrew a request to the court to have DNA tests re-taken on prosecution evidence. Up to that point defence lawyers had said that this was central to their case.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/16198-thai-police-confirm-british-cooperation-in-koh-tao-case.html

Seems to me, that when the defence saw that the DNA evidence implicated the B2 as being the murderers, they suddenly lost interest in this as it was so damaging to their cause rather than being able to aid it as hoped. In the first instance, they were screaming to high heaven to be allowed to see the DNA evidence, then all of the sudden they mysteriously buried it once they had been allowed to view it and it was to pay no more of a role in the defence case from this point on!!

I think that it was at this point that they realised that they were 'well and truly sunk' and facing the inevitable truth that the B2 were in fact guilty and facing the gallows. The judges could see through the ruses that proliferated the defence teams case and dismissed them one by one, preferring to look at real hard evidence as supplied by the prosecutors.

Oh dear, more misinformation and pure conjecture. It might have escaped your notice that the defence repeatedly requested the original samples so they could re-test them, and that was granted by the courts both at the July hearing and subsequently - but the prosecution refused to supply them at any point. No original samples - all used up. Plus the B2 willingly had their DNA taken at the trial, and independently tested, so if the results matched the so called samples (if they actually existed) it would be conclusive evidence. Strikes me that is the action of innocent men.

So, what do you think of that?

From AP

Authorities have possession of crucial DNA evidence in the murder trial of two Burmese migrants accused of killing two young British tourists on a Thai resort island, the national police chief insisted Friday, disputing reports that it might have been lost.

``It is not lost,'' national police chief Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung told reporters in Bangkok. ``I repeat: Nothing is lost.''

Somyot called it a misunderstanding that stemmed from foreign media covering the case who might have poor Thai language skills.

Somyot said the local police investigator, Lt Col Somsak Nurod, was vague in histestimony and therefore was misinterpreted. Somsak was no longer in possession of the DNA evidence since he collected it and then sent it to the Forensics Medicine Institute in Bangkok, Somyot said.

``Nothing is missing. It's a misunderstanding,'' the police chief said.

Seems that the DNA evidence was not lost after all.

You certainly like your highlights, Lucky! Wonder what your hair looks like?

[DiscoDan]

“Sean McAnna, 25, who is from Glasgow, says he was approached by a group of Thai men in a bar on Sairee beach in the early hours of Monday morning.”

”The conversation then took a sinister turn, as the men accused him of murdering fellow British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, telling him, "You're going to hang yourself tonight - We're going to watch you hang".

“Mr McAnna ran away and took refuge in a nearby supermarket, which he was only able to leave once police arrived.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11113386/British-backpacker-describes-terror-after-Thai-mafia-death-threat.html

This is Sean allegedly being threatened by the mafia with guns ? no Mon is holding a mobile phone and filming

They let Sean use Facebook and they waited till the police came and took him away.

This doesnt sound like people who are about to take someone to the mountain to hang.

He has a conviction for kiddy Porn and knew David ,he would be high up on the list of suspects wouldn't you think ?

Edited December 27, 2015 by DiscoDan

[berybert]

I have just had a flash back to the first few months of these two being accused of rape and murder.

Tell me if I am wrong, (I know a few will tell me I'm wrong even if I'm right).

The Burmese were first arrested and held because of a supposed DNA match. The accused were found guilty because of that supposed DNA match.

That was the only thing that mattered.

Now wasn't the case sent back 3 times because dispite the supposed DNA match it wasn't considered strong enough even make it to court.

[lucky11]

The highlights were already there in the article (I think to assist people to learn English) - I didn't make them.

[Aj Mick]

It is interesting to reflect upon where the investigation started, in the light of what has transpired. This is from Thai PBS; 23 Sept 2014:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-tourist-murder-suspect-now-arrested-another-run

"The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are still hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok."

"The southern police chief also assured the public that there was no arrest of scapegoats in this murder case as it now is a focal attention of the world.

He also dismissed any suggestion of local mafias or influential people that could twist the investigation with promise that local influence would pose no obstacle to the police investigation."

Indeed ... original suspects were both sons of 'village headman' ... "He (Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen) said both suspects were captured by CCTV cameras and the police have gathered enough evidence to implicate them in the murders". ... and later these favored sons were exonerated and police found the two migrant workers who were ultimately prosecuted and convicted.

Can you smell that smell?

They were suspects

Chris Ware was a suspect

The 3 playing guitar were suspects

the list goes on...

just being a suspect doesn't make you guilty

The only difference is Nomsod came forward and cleared his name having his dna taken in front of the media.

And no one has a shred of evidence to place him on the island at the time of the crime let alone the crime scene.

The Nomsod DNA testing was a farce that raised the smell to a stink.

There was evidence to place him on the island at the time of the crime, including CCTV footage. It somehow went away, and doctored footage of him in his dorm turned up.

The original suspects were never cleared, but then nor were they investigated after the world was informed that no Thai could have committed such a crime.

Edited December 27, 2015 by Aj Mick

[smedly]

Can someone please post a link or PDF of the English translation of the court ruling? I haven't been able to view all the pages on AH's twitter a/c nor am I able to zoom in order to comfortably read.

Re IMEI (Individual Mobile Equipment Identifier); Entering *#06# into most phones identifies each phone. IMEI's can also be retrieved from the receipt, original packaging or service provider as was likely in this case.

HTH

Well this is my first crack at it -- the pages are out of sequence andKT Court Judgment.pdf you have to + it maybe 400% but I think it's all there.

I believe this is only a first summary and there will be more. The first thing that strikes me is in relation to the hoe. The judge says it was used to kill David but 1) his wounds bear no resemblance to it and certainly not to it being used as his brother has described and 2) I believe Dr. Porntip testified his DNA was only found on the handle indicating a struggle not it's use to cause head wounds.

We should not forget that the RTP said they did not test the murder weapon for DNA or fingerprints. Strange don't you think RTP defenders?

I believe that David fought with a group of men who in usual tradition were armed with various weapons including wooden clubs and even a hammer as suggested, I also think that he heard a commotion on the beach and went to investigate either from his room or from the path while on his way home and tried to intervene at which point he was attacked and beaten, from the photos my guess is he was hit with several weapons (not a the hoe)and something that also caused the puncture wounds, obviously this is only my opinion some of which may eventually be confirmed when the UK autopsy report is released