Koh Tao debacle: Shoddy work from beginning to end

[iReason]

Laura Witheridge:

"What if I told you that when we went to Thailand to bring Hannah home, we were offered the opportunity to go to the Royal Thai police headquarters for an ‘official update"

"But that, on arrival, we were taken into a large room, left for 5 minutes before the door opened and around 200 journalists were allowed into the room and we were ambushed by this mob of hungry journalists shoving cameras in our faces"

[Khun Han]

I can't even bring myself to 'like' that above post iReason, it's so upsetting. What sort of police force would put a murder victim's family through that under false pretences? One that can deliberately skew an investigation into the same murder to protect a wealthy, connected family and pin it on a couple of patsies? Ugh!!!

[iReason]

Ignorant, soulless, imbeciles Han.

That's who.

This, and much more, is what some here choose to ignore.

Equally soulless.

[greenchair]

I agree with somo and some others. The case was shoddy.

The police had everything they needed. Witnesses, dna everywhere , video footage of the suspects, belongings of the suspects at the scene, belongings of the victims at the suspects. They had everything and still they let one go.

I am shocked and angry about that. That beautiful lady was held down and raped in the worst possible way. And there are posters here that would like to see them out on a technicality. You are all correct, there was no need for torture . there was no need for a confession. And that has stained the case and gives posters fodder to defend them.

GC

' They still let one go ' I am presuming you mean Muang Muang

Now why would they let MM go, the RTP detained and questioned him and found he was not involved.

The reason I changed my mind is Wei Phyo story got to difficult to explain anymore. Muang Muang story is a carbon copy of Wei Phyo. The only difference is he didn't have the phone. He is there at 2am. He is back at 5am. It is his shoe left at the scene. He is on video walking around with one shoe. the oldest alibi in the world. I was with my girlfriend. not to mention that he has kept very quiet about all this

Strangely, I find the 2nd defendant story quite plausible. He went to the beach, and went to his bungalow to sleep. I think the first theory is correct, there were at least 3 people there. Muang Muang fits into all of it like a jigsaw.

[boomerangutang]

I agree with somo and some others. The case was shoddy.

The police had everything they needed. Witnesses, dna everywhere , video footage of the suspects, belongings of the suspects at the scene, belongings of the victims at the suspects. They had everything and still they let one go.

I am shocked and angry about that. That beautiful lady was held down and raped in the worst possible way. And there are posters here that would like to see them out on a technicality. You are all correct, there was no need for torture . there was no need for a confession. And that has stained the case and gives posters fodder to defend them.

GC

' They still let one go ' I am presuming you mean Muang Muang

Now why would they let MM go, the RTP detained and questioned him and found he was not involved.

Muang Muang may or may not have been complicit in the crime. He was arrested with the other 2 Burmese migrants. Thai authorities wanted to implicate him. One big reason: he resembles Running Man more than the other two. After looking closely at the RM videos, I maintain they show Nomsod, not MM. However, at the 'safe house' MM was probably craftier than his two buddies, and that's how he was let off. He probably knew enough to ask for a lawyer, and of course Thai inquisitors don't want such interference in their cover-up. As we know, there was a thai lawyer at the inquisition, but he didn't identify himself to the defendants - which is what a lawyer should have done. His soggy excuse: "they had already confessed by the time I arrived." He should be de-barred at the least. What a soggy excuse for a man.

MM and Sean and some others should have been called as witnesses, but they weren't and there's only one reason: their testimony wouldn't dovetail with the RTP's agenda of nailing the scapegoats, and shielding the real culprits.

[Artisi]

Laura Witheridge:

"What if I told you that when we went to Thailand to bring Hannah home, we were offered the opportunity to go to the Royal Thai police headquarters for an official update"

"But that, on arrival, we were taken into a large room, left for 5 minutes before the door opened and around 200 journalists were allowed into the room and we were ambushed by this mob of hungry journalists shoving cameras in our faces"

But but but, that can't be true, she is only trying to discredit the BIB.....

[Artisi]

Ignorant, soulless, imbeciles Han.

That's who.

This, and much more, is what some here choose to ignore.

Equally soulless.

They can choose to ignore as much as they like, luckily it doesn't alter the facts and just confirms their collective stupidity.....

[JLCrab]

<snip>

Muang Muang may or may not have been complicit in the crime. <snip>

Bugs Bunny may or may not have been complicit in the crime. BTW has anyone spoken with the 3 young women sitting with the late Ms. Witheridge about anyone pestering their friend that evening?

[iReason]

And then, you have ignorant, soulless clowns continuing to crack jokes.

As if it is appropriate.

Truly amazing.

For them, I hope one day, the shoe is on the other foot...

[JLCrab]

And then, you have ignorant, soulless clowns continuing to crack jokes.

As if it is appropriate.

Truly amazing.

For them, I hope one day, the shoe is on the other foot...

I take the murder of two persons and the judicial proceedings against two others very seriously. I just don't take you very seriously.

[JLCrab]

My hair is already short. BTW has anyone spoken with the 3 young women to the right in this (now snipped) photo who saw anything of what you have postulated in the last 16 months or so about person or persons who where there that night and then made a hasty escape?

Original at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html

[Jai Dee]

One flame post and subsequent replies have been removed from this thread.

[greenchair]

<snip>

Muang Muang may or may not have been complicit in the crime. <snip>

Bugs Bunny may or may not have been complicit in the crime. BTW has anyone spoken with the 3 young women sitting with the late Ms. Witheridge about anyone pestering their friend that evening?

It's interesting that you should ask that crab. Because if you go to the anonymous video that condemns the investigation ,guess whose name pops up that was in a scuffle that night.

Wehhey none other than Muang Muang. Only in that version David went to help Muang.

Everytime you turn a corner up pop these b3 with a connection to the victims in some way shape or form. What a busy night they had.

[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 may be 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]

"The prime suspect behind the brutal killing of two British backpackers on an island in southern Thailand is currently hiding in the capital city, police say.”

“Police say Mr. Warot is currently the primary suspect as DNA test results have cleared all others previously detained by police.”

“The police hunt for Mr. Warot, who is the son of a influential figure on the island,

came amid reports that the stalling police investigation may be related to the influence of “powerful families” on Koh Tao.”

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1411548167

[iReason]

“A Thai man said he was beaten up by police after he turned down a police offer of reward money if he agreed to be a witness in the murder case of two British tourists in Thailand’s tourist island of Koh Tao, southern Surat Thani Province”

“Pornprasit said the police detained him at 1.30 pm on Monday.”

“During the interrogation, the police investigators asked him to agree to pretend to have knowledge of the incident, Pornprasit said.”

“The police allegedly offered him a 700,000 baht reward and guaranteed him witness status.”

“However, since he was not involved with the crime and did not have any knowledge related to it, Pornprasit declined the police offer.”

“That made the police angry, he said.” “The police allegedly beat him up before releasing him on Monday at 6.30 pm.”

http://prachatai.org/english/node/4373

[iReason]

"Prasit brought the issue up with Assawin sae-Phoo, head of local taxi drivers on the tourist island, citing "fear for his life after turning down the offer".

"Assawin later took Prasit's complaint to Korbchai Saowalak, the kamnan of tambon Koh Tao.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-promised-cash-reward-to-buy-false-testimony-30244573.html

[stephenterry]

I think at least one of the b2 is implicated in the crimes, and that is enough for the Rtp to convince the Miller family. However I don't think any of the b2 committed the crimes. Had that been the case the Rtp would not have lost or used up the DNA evidence, nor the hair and Hannah's clothes. That tells me that there are other killers that have not been apprehended because the main official priority was to close the case asap to protect tourism. If persons of interest were involved it wouldn't have been closed in my lifetime.

[JLCrab]

Again -- these 3 women were together with the late Ms. Witheridge earlier the evening in question. Has anyone asked them if they saw anyone agitating their friend?

Original photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html

[iReason]

October 3, 2014

Somyot said the men had not requested lawyers: “If they had asked for lawyers we would have provided lawyers for them as this is their basic right.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/03/burmese-men-arrested-murder-british-backpackers-thailand

October 8, 2014

Lead investigater Maj Gen Suwat Chaengyodsook:

"During interrogation, the suspects' lawyer was present and physical check-ups were performed on them.”

http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-police-defend-koh-tao-investigation-as-suspects-claim-torture-49042.php

Well? Which is it "Big Aud"?

And did anyone tell them about their basic right?

[KunMatt]

I think at least one of the b2 is implicated in the crimes, and that is enough for the Rtp to convince the Miller family. However I don't think any of the b2 committed the crimes. Had that been the case the Rtp would not have lost or used up the DNA evidence, nor the hair and Hannah's clothes. That tells me that there are other killers that have not been apprehended because the main official priority was to close the case asap to protect tourism. If persons of interest were involved it wouldn't have been closed in my lifetime.

Yeah I would agree with this. The B2 may have witnessed or stole from the crime scene but I don't believe they murdered Hannah and David nor did it on their own. The court report says that the same person killed both victims with the same weapon but both victims have completely different injuries. David was beaten and dragged into the sea to drown. Hannah was brutally smashed with the hoe.

Why would the same person so brutally murder Hannah but only knockout david and leave him to drown. What would be the reason to not kill David in the same manner? It indicates that a different weapon and person(s) killed each victim.

And if the B2 did commit the murders like the court report states then why did Mon try to cover it all up for them by destroying evidence and also saying that it was him on the CCTV and not the B2?

[jayjay78]

Again -- these 3 women were together with the late Ms. Witheridge earlier the evening in question. Has anyone asked them if they saw anyone agitating their friend?

Original photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html

Yes actually one of them has I've seen it in a private facebook post, but I wont reveal the name or what she said for obvious reasons but her opinions were in tune with the Hannah's sisters post that she later took down

[JLCrab]

Again -- these 3 women were together with the late Ms. Witheridge earlier the evening in question. Has anyone asked them if they saw anyone agitating their friend?

Original photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html

Yes actually one of them has I've seen it in a private facebook post, but I wont reveal the name or what she said for obvious reasons but her opinions were in tune with the Hannah's sisters post that she later took down

Thank you. Private Facebook post. Maybe she should contact the B2 Defense Team. Privately, of course.

[stephenterry]

The appeal can only be based on the evidence submitted. Any allegations of others involved would not be permitted.

[jayjay78]

Again -- these 3 women were together with the late Ms. Witheridge earlier the evening in question. Has anyone asked them if they saw anyone agitating their friend?

Original photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11117396/Last-picture-of-British-backpackers-murdered-on-Thai-island.html

Yes actually one of them has I've seen it in a private facebook post, but I wont reveal the name or what she said for obvious reasons but her opinions were in tune with the Hannah's sisters post that she later took down

Thank you. Private Facebook post. Maybe she should contact the B2 Defense Team. Privately, of course.

I didn't realise Laura made any statements that would be of any use to the defense in an appeal? So as this friends post was "in tune" with Laura's then I doubt she would also, be that privately or publicly.

[TheLobster]

<snip>

Muang Muang may or may not have been complicit in the crime. <snip>

Bugs Bunny may or may not have been complicit in the crime. BTW has anyone spoken with the 3 young women sitting with the late Ms. Witheridge about anyone pestering their friend that evening?

Misdirection again !

You have posted many times about court proceedings in Thailand and so you know that this is irrelevant and an intended distraction.

[iReason]

September 25, 2014

"Thailand’s military junta has vowed to launch a major anti-vice campaign on the tourist island of Koh Tao following the horrific murders of two British backpackers."

"General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the country’s Prime Minister, has ordered an immediate offensive against “influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island,

and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronizing these people or their activities,”

"The crackdown would target “mafia-type influential people”

But, but, but...

Prachum Ruangthong, the police chief responsible for the island, told The Telegraph: “I have to say 100 per cent there is no mafia in Koh Tao.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11120311/Thai-military-launches-anti-vice-crackdown-on-island-where-Britons-died.html

By the way Uncle Too, I must have missed that "crackdown"...

[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

[iReason]

“Thailand’s police chief Somyot Poompanmoung – who has flown to Koh Tao to oversee the investigation”

He added: “We still don’t know who did it but DNA tests show an Asian was responsible."

"The probe has been hampered by silence from locals."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/thailand-beach-murders-hannah-witheridge-4297320

[TheLobster]

Seems like misdirection and posts by trolls & shills have diverted the focus of some people:

According to the CCTV footage, the Second Deceased was found walking into the AC Bar with her friends at 00.15 hrs, whereas the Second Deceased walked into the AC Bar at 02.08.37 hrs. Thereafter, both Deceased were never found walking out of the Bar until their bodies were found.

Moreover on the same morning, the investigating officers took the two Defendants into custody to notify that the two Defendants had been charged.
As the lawyers that the inquiry officials had contacted to witness the inquiry of the two Defendants had not yet arrived, and the tide was rising to almost the point of the crime scene, which would have made it impossible to take the two defendants to the crime scene to reenact the crime in complement to their confession, the investigating officers therefore took the two Defendants to the reenactment at the crime scene first.

Afterwards, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanongsak informed the two Defendants of their rights as the accused and informed them of the charges against them, stipulated in the arrest warrants for the two Defendants, through a Translator and in the presence of a lawyer.

The results of the DNA tests on the exhibited cigarette butts indicated that the second defendant and Mr Mau Mau had smoked the exhibited cigarettes, which was confirmed by the testimonies of the two defendants that they took it in turns to smoke the same exhibited cigarettes.
This indicates that the examination conducted by the Central Forensic Bureau was accurate and correct thus giving weight to the credibility of the test results and indicating that the test results are admissible.

even after the crime has been committed Mr O continued to use the exhibited hoe before it was sent off for examination

Even though the report of the results of the DNA tests conducted by the Institute of Forensic Science according to Document number Lor. 29 summarises the results and conclusions of the examination that the DNA of the two Defendants did not match the mixed DNA of a male found on the exhibited hoe, this is not significant or inconsistent because the mixed DNA of a male that was found on the hoe matched the DNA of the First Deceased.

Under the testimony of both Defendants that claimed that after drinking beer they both wanted to go home and so decided to walk home, but that then both went for a swim in the sea late at night while it was raining lightly, as the First Defendant has testified, this is unusual for normal people to do under such circumstances, and thus the testimonies are not credible. This gives rise to the belief that their behaviour must instead have been conducted in a way to destroy evidence on the bodies of both the Defendants.

There is a lot of evidence that wasn't present or is ignored in the report which to a layman like me would seem significant such as the hair found in Hannah's hand ....