British man found dead on Koh Tao

[sweatalot]

The problem with Koh Tao and the deaths that occure there is that many people do not believe the police, there are too many questions left unanswered. Yes an autopsy was carried out and the police concluded that he drowned, I have no doubt that is possibly true, but a family member has said that Luke had bruising on his arms - that alone indicates to me that the police version of events is doubtful, when an autopsy is done you must consider everything (all injuries) to reach a conclusion, you simply cannot ignore stuff because it wouldn't fit with the story, couple that with the missing cctv footage and the lack of a witness to this supposed bravado act and it leaves more questions than answers, just like the puncture wounds that were clearly seen on David Millar that were ignored without explanation

This family should have insisted that the CIFS examined the body and published a full report leaving nothing out, as it stands it seems that certain injuries (no small detail) have been left unreported/unexplained/ignored by officials and either the police or the Thai coronor (or both) have done this with intent

I await to hear the results from a trusted autopsy that will be carried out in the UK before I am anywhere near conviced that this mans death was an accident

Luke had been "living it large" for a few weeks. If you have ever mixed with people who regularly drink a lot you would know that cuts, scrapes and bruises go with that lifestyle. They normally occur due to difficulty negotiating inanimate objects on the walk home.

So we can exclude any other cause - and it is impossible that the bruises have anything to do with his death?

[Khun Han]

I'll tell you why you wouldn't post details on here: Because you made it up.

That's just silly. I know someone still in a PVS because he tried to climb to his apartment pissed, fell and suffered a devastating head injury (10 years ago).

I wouldn't post his details here to score points with you.

It happens all over the world. Alcohol is dangerous.

Whilst I understand your point of view, I wouldn't use the line of argumentation that I'm refuting in the first place, if I wasn't prepared to back it up. Anyone can claim anything as a fact or life experience on the internet. If they don't want to be called out on it, they shouldn't claim it. It's not like it was a piece of damning evidence either way on the topic subject, the source of which has to be protected, is it?

Love the avatar btw, one of my personal fave comedians.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Khun Han

[huawei]

The problem with Koh Tao and the deaths that occure there is that many people do not believe the police, there are too many questions left unanswered. Yes an autopsy was carried out and the police concluded that he drowned, I have no doubt that is possibly true, but a family member has said that Luke had bruising on his arms - that alone indicates to me that the police version of events is doubtful, when an autopsy is done you must consider everything (all injuries) to reach a conclusion, you simply cannot ignore stuff because it wouldn't fit with the story, couple that with the missing cctv footage and the lack of a witness to this supposed bravado act and it leaves more questions than answers, just like the puncture wounds that were clearly seen on David Millar that were ignored without explanation

This family should have insisted that the CIFS examined the body and published a full report leaving nothing out, as it stands it seems that certain injuries (no small detail) have been left unreported/unexplained/ignored by officials and either the police or the Thai coronor (or both) have done this with intent

I await to hear the results from a trusted autopsy that will be carried out in the UK before I am anywhere near conviced that this mans death was an accident

Luke had been "living it large" for a few weeks. If you have ever mixed with people who regularly drink a lot you would know that cuts, scrapes and bruises go with that lifestyle. They normally occur due to difficulty negotiating inanimate objects on the walk home.

You reckon.............

We used to get blokes turn up for work after a weekend looking like they had a good kicking. Never was due to violence. Falling into bushes, storm drains, down steps etc. One bloke had two black eyes and stitches in a nasty gash on his forehead. He tripped and caught his head on the edge of a kerbstone, luckily someone found him and got medical attention. So, can it happen innocently? Definitely.

True, but they don't die...and they have an explanation..

The ones that survive have an explanation. The ones that die obviously do not.

No but there will be an autopsy on those that didn't and cause of possible death.

[huawei]

^^^ plus probably working cctv cameras. By law if it a suspicious death certain procedures have to be followed and you can have confidence in those procedure. Thailand not so.

[bannork]

I'll tell you why you wouldn't post details on here: Because you made it up.

That's just silly. I know someone still in a PVS because he tried to climb to his apartment pissed, fell and suffered a devastating head injury (10 years ago).

I wouldn't post his details here to score points with you.

It happens all over the world. Alcohol is dangerous.

Whilst I understand your point of view, I wouldn't use the line of argumentation on the internet in the first place, that I'm refuting, if I wasn't prepared to back it up. Anyone can claim anything as a fact or life experience on the internet. If they don't want to be called out on it, they shouldn't claim it. It's not like it was a piece of damning evidence either way in the topic subject, is it?

If you don't know people who have had accidents, said the wrong thing and upset people due to alcohol, especially when combined with other drugs, then you have lived a very sheltered life.

I love alcohol, beer and whisky are wonderful as far as I'm concerned, but they can make people, especially the young, have a false sense of confidence about anything- particularly when they are living the dream in the land of smiles on a rocky mountain.

Read the posts from his sister and friends on face book before he died, telling him to watch out and not be stupid.

Of course they are not proof he died due to intoxication, but pray who would murder him and why? Was he hitting on some hot farang chick desired by the Koh Tao mafia?- I haven't seen any comment on face book to suggest that.

[Nigeone]

....ha ha...agree Firebird....I think newbie want's the "it's not good to pick at a scab but for some reason it just feels so gooood chat room....

Not at all but if someone else has manners then it's polite to be the same in return. I forgot that in forums newbies don't have an opinion. Is it because I haven't sat on the sofa long enough yet?????

Not at all. Nice to see that you have joined Thaivisa after living in Thailand how long? More interesting is that you have joined Thaivisa with all its multiple topics but have only commented on this thread.
Interesting username too...strange that it fits your opinion of this topic....coincidence?

Just over 5 yrs hear. Yes I joined purely on the topic of how much slating Thailand is getting at the moment. I haven't commented on other stuff as yer as it's not as close home as this thread is. Yes I live in kt and yes I met Luke before he died. I agree it's a forum but all this boycott Thailand mallarchy is just horse sh*t. I have always read the forum since I got here as it is an interesting way of keeping up to date. But the more I read the comments the more I pity some people. End result I joined and commented. Does this meet the criteria. Lots of love newbie ;-)

Perhaps some know more than you how stuff works in LOS.....Just a thought...

Nobody knows everything, That's my point. But all the the hate that I read for LOS is not good

Yes I agree with you about the hate towards LOS is not good and I for one love many of the Thai,people.However I would say that the hate is not LOS as such but directed towards the authorities and in particular the RTP and justice system. How about they put there house in order, stop covering up crimes, fitting up victims and allowing people to buy themselves freedom ! That would be a start and the continuous fabrication of 'evidence' is as bigger a crime has the original crimes. The jumped up evidence and claims in the Hannah and David trial went beyond anything maybe seen before and now we have what clearly is a shutdown on reporting on this latest suspect accident/murder. Be transparent, be honest and stop the brown envelopes and you will go far to get appreciation from many of the people posting on here. The powers that be are running a immoral ,dishonest and downright corrupt system and till it stops the hate towards it won't stop either...And I for one am sorry for that but the blame lies totally at the powers that be.

[Khun Han]

....ha ha...agree Firebird....I think newbie want's the "it's not good to pick at a scab but for some reason it just feels so gooood chat room....

Not at all but if someone else has manners then it's polite to be the same in return. I forgot that in forums newbies don't have an opinion. Is it because I haven't sat on the sofa long enough yet?????

Not at all. Nice to see that you have joined Thaivisa after living in Thailand how long? More interesting is that you have joined Thaivisa with all its multiple topics but have only commented on this thread.

Interesting username too...strange that it fits your opinion of this topic....coincidence?

Just over 5 yrs hear. Yes I joined purely on the topic of how much slating Thailand is getting at the moment. I haven't commented on other stuff as yer as it's not as close home as this thread is. Yes I live in kt and yes I met Luke before he died. I agree it's a forum but all this boycott Thailand mallarchy is just horse sh*t. I have always read the forum since I got here as it is an interesting way of keeping up to date. But the more I read the comments the more I pity some people. End result I joined and commented. Does this meet the criteria. Lots of love newbie ;-)

Perhaps some know more than you how stuff works in LOS.....Just a thought...

Nobody knows everything, That's my point. But all the the hate that I read for LOS is not good

Yes I agree with you about the hate towards LOS is not good and I for one love many of the Thai,people.However I would say that the hate is not LOS as such but directed towards the authorities and in particular the RTP and justice system. How about they put there house in order, stop covering up crimes, fitting up victims and allowing people to buy themselves freedom ! That would be a start and the continuous fabrication of 'evidence' is as bigger a crime has the original crimes. The jumped up evidence and claims in the Hannah and David trial went beyond anything maybe seen before and now we have what clearly is a shutdown on reporting on this latest suspect accident/murder. Be transparent, be honest and stop the brown envelopes and you will go far to get appreciation from many of the people posting on here. The powers that be are running a immoral ,dishonest and downright corrupt system and till it stops the hate towards it won't stop either...And I for one am sorry for that but the blame lies totally at the powers that be.

Let's not forget that the biggest victims of the assortment of mafias that have been running Thailand for so long are the Thai populace themselves. That they, for the most part, haven't been more damaged (for want of a better word) than they have by the system is a great credit to them.

[kcirtapyelrah]

The problem with Koh Tao and the deaths that occure there is that many people do not believe the police, there are too many questions left unanswered. Yes an autopsy was carried out and the police concluded that he drowned, I have no doubt that is possibly true, but a family member has said that Luke had bruising on his arms - that alone indicates to me that the police version of events is doubtful, when an autopsy is done you must consider everything (all injuries) to reach a conclusion, you simply cannot ignore stuff because it wouldn't fit with the story, couple that with the missing cctv footage and the lack of a witness to this supposed bravado act and it leaves more questions than answers, just like the puncture wounds that were clearly seen on David Millar that were ignored without explanation

This family should have insisted that the CIFS examined the body and published a full report leaving nothing out, as it stands it seems that certain injuries (no small detail) have been left unreported/unexplained/ignored by officials and either the police or the Thai coronor (or both) have done this with intent

I await to hear the results from a trusted autopsy that will be carried out in the UK before I am anywhere near conviced that this mans death was an accident

Luke had been "living it large" for a few weeks. If you have ever mixed with people who regularly drink a lot you would know that cuts, scrapes and bruises go with that lifestyle. They normally occur due to difficulty negotiating inanimate objects on the walk home.

You reckon.............

We used to get blokes turn up for work after a weekend looking like they had a good kicking. Never was due to violence. Falling into bushes, storm drains, down steps etc. One bloke had two black eyes and stitches in a nasty gash on his forehead. He tripped and caught his head on the edge of a kerbstone, luckily someone found him and got medical attention. So, can it happen innocently? Definitely.

Could they have negotiated a tower and barbed wire in such a stupefied state?

[Nigeone]

The problem with Koh Tao and the deaths that occure there is that many people do not believe the police, there are too many questions left unanswered. Yes an autopsy was carried out and the police concluded that he drowned, I have no doubt that is possibly true, but a family member has said that Luke had bruising on his arms - that alone indicates to me that the police version of events is doubtful, when an autopsy is done you must consider everything (all injuries) to reach a conclusion, you simply cannot ignore stuff because it wouldn't fit with the story, couple that with the missing cctv footage and the lack of a witness to this supposed bravado act and it leaves more questions than answers, just like the puncture wounds that were clearly seen on David Millar that were ignored without explanation

This family should have insisted that the CIFS examined the body and published a full report leaving nothing out, as it stands it seems that certain injuries (no small detail) have been left unreported/unexplained/ignored by officials and either the police or the Thai coronor (or both) have done this with intent

I await to hear the results from a trusted autopsy that will be carried out in the UK before I am anywhere near conviced that this mans death was an accident

Luke had been "living it large" for a few weeks. If you have ever mixed with people who regularly drink a lot you would know that cuts, scrapes and bruises go with that lifestyle. They normally occur due to difficulty negotiating inanimate objects on the walk home.

You reckon.............

We used to get blokes turn up for work after a weekend looking like they had a good kicking. Never was due to violence. Falling into bushes, storm drains, down steps etc. One bloke had two black eyes and stitches in a nasty gash on his forehead. He tripped and caught his head on the edge of a kerbstone, luckily someone found him and got medical attention. So, can it happen innocently? Definitely.

Could they have negotiated a tower and barbed wire in such a stupefied state?

Not convinced in this tower barbed wire theory I'm afraid..We all ,or most have been in stupid states but I have witnessed many friends been the worse for alcohol etc and lots tend to show off and do really stupid stuff egged on by their mates.. Why would a guy on there own do this....without witnesses or to show of his bravado / bravery/ stupidity...This part of the events I would be looking at a lot more closely and doesn't ring true. DNA on the barbed wire would be a start but we all know what there track record is like in that regard

[fitzcaraldo]

I dont beleive this young bloke was alone. Certainly part of a group. His friends must have been interviewed to understand his life style

[balo]

Maybe his friends were asleep when this happened ? A few more details would be nice .Or we can just speculate forever.

[Kiwisailor]

Just under 1200 members of a new facebook group set up to remember Luke

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1695729067325810/

[kcirtapyelrah]

With the name Miller, coming from the region that he did, especially if he brought the subject up, he didn't stand a chance of surviving, there's bound to be considerable paranoia in the area now amongst certain individuals.

[smedly]

The bottom line is this, nobody trusts the local police so no matter what they say right or wrong people will question it, That is a serious problem now, nobody believes what they say and nobody has any confidence in what they do - that is a fact and from an image perspective is very damaging to Thailand, so the PM needs to look at this and think carefully about his police reforms, every police force in the west has highly trained people to deal with certain crimes and situations, you cannot expect a local "bobby" to deal with a murder so you bring people in that are trained and skilled to deal with that, additionally you must have experts that can deal with crime scenes, these people must be very highly skilled and trusted, in the modern day they could be police who have educated themselves through university or are civilians that work for the police as experts in their field ...........................they are not local police (your local bobby, traffic cop ) trying to do complex police work, in the UK if you want to progress through the ranks without even specialising you need a University education in Law as a basic starter, most people don't know this, anyway I am digressing a little.

Now for Thailand

There is only one crime scene autority in Thailand that people have some confidence and that is the CIFS run under the ministry of justice Thailand, if I was a local police commander in surat I would be insisting that they are involved in every foriegn death on that island unless of course I wanted to cover something up - force CIFS involvement , the Thai government and PM should now be insisting on it, they are the only institution that people have a measure of trust..........out to you Prime Minister Prayut Chan (O) Cha, any more deaths on this Island make sure that the right trusted people are brought in to investigate, why are you paying the CIFS if they are constantly ignored, they are trusted use them, the police hate them - I wonder why ? maybe becuase they cannot be influenced or bought, you have promised the Thai people that you will stamp out corruption, well the CIFS would be a good start - CIFS only, disband this police establishment that nobody trusts, number one on the police reform bill

and futher - why are the tax payers - people of Thailand paying for two forensic institutions, what a waste of money, one of these needs to go - I know which one, the whole closed shop police run debacle needs to go, too many problems going on there and they cannot be trusted..............................close it down

Police reform bill - number "1" item, CIFS Ministry of Justice run under DR Porntip must be the only forensics institution in Thailand, the mickey mouse police farce needs to be disbanded, get rid of this corrupt institution and save some money for the tax payer...................

[smedly]

There is no movie going to be made, Luke had a beer blank blank blank dead in swimming pool - police say he drowned - end

RIP

[metisdead]

Inflammatory nonsense posts and replies have been removed:

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

9) You will not post inflammatory messages on the forum, or attempt to disrupt discussions to upset its participants, or trolling. Trolling can be defined as the act of purposefully antagonizing other people on the internet by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

[Kru Baa]

The police ruled out murder immediately. Maybe they decided another frame up of some migrant workers wouldn't be plausible, easier to just call it an accident.

I can't believe anybody would even still go to Koa Tao anyway.

[jayjay78]

I found this report on Rachael Gissing's facebook page, shes the one that organized the appeal for funds to get Luke back home:

This report was just before Luke's untimely death and is dated 27th Dec 2015

Yesterday night my friend Davy got beaten up in ‘The Sunset Beach Bar’ on Ko Tao. What happened is unacceptable. Here is the story.

This all happened so quickly. I was – and still am – so shocked about this event. I could see it was not a fight with other tourists, but that it were people from the staff. Whatever my friend did, I was thinking at that moment, no one ever deserves to be beaten up like this. I talked to other customers afterwards, and they too were shocked by the severe cruel approach. It really looked like they wanted to kill my friend. Not just one push or one punch on the nose, but they were continuously hitting my poor friend who was sitting on the floor like a foetus, his hands on his head, trying to protect his face.

You can read the full report here, scary............

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

[AGareth2]

I found this report on Rachael Gissing's facebook page, shes the one that organized the appeal for funds to get Luke back home:

This report was just before Luke's untimely death and is dated 27th Dec 2015

Yesterday night my friend Davy got beaten up in ‘The Sunset Beach Bar’ on Ko Tao. What happened is unacceptable. Here is the story.

This all happened so quickly. I was – and still am – so shocked about this event. I could see it was not a fight with other tourists, but that it were people from the staff. Whatever my friend did, I was thinking at that moment, no one ever deserves to be beaten up like this. I talked to other customers afterwards, and they too were shocked by the severe cruel approach. It really looked like they wanted to kill my friend. Not just one push or one punch on the nose, but they were continuously hitting my poor friend who was sitting on the floor like a foetus, his hands on his head, trying to protect his face.

You can read the full report here, scary............

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

lucky is wasn't on the beach or he would be dead

[Rimmer]

Multiple flaming, and bickering posts have been removed.

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

[007cableguy]

Just under 1200 members of a new facebook group set up to remember Luke

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1695729067325810/

I think there is more to this than a accident!.......When his body and friends return to the UK the shit is going to hit the fan!

[Tom Cahill]

Anyone who thinks these shocking murders are done by people who make money out of tourism is deluded. These are part of a campaign to create a tourism threatening issue. It's incredibly unlikely that a serial killer would be sneaking about in hotel or bar grounds with cameras. This is professional work, by people who know what they're doing, not some local "getting anger".

[phuketandsee]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

[JLCrab]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

... and Krabi http://www.thephuketnews.com/american-killed-in-krabi-for-persistent-singing-41122.php

[phuketandsee]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

... and Krabi http://www.thephuketnews.com/american-killed-in-krabi-for-persistent-singing-41122.php

That was 2 1/2 years ago

[Chicog]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

Stick the finger up to a Thai bird in a bar full of drunk Thais? Idiot.

[phuketandsee]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

Stick the finger up to a Thai bird in a bar full of drunk Thais? Idiot.

True, not the best thing to do but it shows the pent up rage prevalent here hidden behind all the LOS BS.

[JLCrab]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

... and Krabi http://www.thephuketnews.com/american-killed-in-krabi-for-persistent-singing-41122.php

That was 2 1/2 years ago

... and it wasn't on Koh Tao but some drunken tourist got killed after provoking some Thai musicians who didn't appreciate his and his son's hogging the microphone.

Edited January 14, 2016 by JLCrab

[MrTee]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

... and Krabi http://www.thephuketnews.com/american-killed-in-krabi-for-persistent-singing-41122.php

That was 2 1/2 years ago

... and it wasn't on Koh Tao but some drunken tourist got killed after provoking some Thai musicians who didn't appreciate his and his son's hogging the microphone.

This was the SAME bar http://www.planeless...e-is-the-story/ , on the same island, only a few day before Luke was found dead..

Any comment on that?

Coincidence?

[Khun Han]

More fun and games on Koh Tao:

http://www.planelesstravellers.com/travel/yesterday-night-my-friend-davy-got-beaten-up-in-the-sunset-beach-bar-in-koh-tao-what-happened-is-unaceptable-here-is-the-story/

... and Krabi http://www.thephuketnews.com/american-killed-in-krabi-for-persistent-singing-41122.php

That was 2 1/2 years ago

... and it wasn't on Koh Tao but some drunken tourist got killed after provoking some Thai musicians who didn't appreciate his and his son's hogging the microphone.

Have to say that we never travel further than Cha Am/Hua Hin down that side of the country any more. I just got too much of a thinly-veiled hatred of farangs vibe in the South.