Rapists Of British Tourist Escape Death Sentence

[george]

Rapists of British tourist escape death sentence

KOH SAMUI: -- Two Thai fishermen convicted of raping and murdering a 21-year-old British tourist on New Year's Day have had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, their lawyer said today.

Bualoy Kothisit, 23, and Wichai Sonkhaoyai, 24, were sentenced to death after a speedy trial in January, but they won a reprieve this month after an appeal.

"The court commuted their death sentences on the ground that they had voluntarily confessed their crime," lawyer Prompatchara Namuang said.

But he said prosecutors could challenge the court's decision and bring the case to the Supreme Court by December 7.

The two were found guilty of raping and killing Katherine Horton on the southern resort island of Samui on January 1, in a case that rocked Thailand's tourism industry as it was rebuilding from the 2004 tsunami.

After drinking and watching pornography, the two men found Ms Horton walking down the beach alone as she talked to her mother in Britain on a cellphone.

They raped her and beat her with a beach umbrella before dumping her body at sea.

The victim's mother, Elizabeth, had called for the pair to spend the rest of their lives in jail, saying her daughter would not have believed capital punishment an appropriate sentence.

International media attention had prompted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to call for the "harshest possible punishment" for the men, saying they had damaged Thailand's image and its tourism industry.

Mr Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless coup on September 19.

While Thailand bills itself as the "Land of Smiles" with sunny beaches, there are regular incidents of foreigners involved in sexual assaults, drug offences and sometimes rape or murder.

-- news.com.au 2006-11-25

[bkkmadness]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

[p1p]

The death sentence should be reserved for those who do gross harm to society as a whole. Example, those guilty of massive corruption.

[Nikkijah]

The death sentence should be reserved for those who do gross harm to society as a whole. Example, those guilty of massive corruption.

Totally agreed

These monsters should experience years and years of hel_l, thats the best place for them, horrible little cretins

[tectronic]

I think suffering will be moer if they stay in jail. Execution is absolution.

[Backpack_thailand]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

[younghusband]

The death sentence should be reserved for those who do gross harm to society as a whole. Example, those guilty of massive corruption.

But where would you start given the scale and history of corruption in Thailand?

I understand how businessmen become rich but how do civil servants and senior armed servicemen and policemen become rich when in most cases they have no source of funds but their rather low salaries.Perhaps a good start would be for the junta (and wives, children, servants) and its instigators to declare their wealth and its source by means of an independent audit.Having done that and established their own clean credentials, they could move on to a war on corruption and other crimes.

Another example of gross harm to society might be the the sickening selfishness of the current power structure, its patronising contempt for ordinary Thais and the perpetuation of an artificial hierachical structure, discarded centuries ago by most other countries, serving only to preserve privilege and wealth and keep the poor downtrodden.Is this the kind of thing you had in mind?

[stao]

I hope the Thai prison system can find "special accommodations" for these two lovelies. A place where on a daily basis they endure the same pain and suffering they gave Ms. Horton as they raped her, beat her and then threw her into the ocean to die

[ColPyat]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

Rubbish.

It is normal procedure here to grant convicted criminals a reduction of their sentence when they are cooperative. In such a case it is usual to commute the death sentence to a life sentence, which might be further reduced according to conduct while in prison.

One can expect that both will serve time of somewhere around 20 to 30 years.

And regarding such crimes against foreigners, generally the accused will face much harsher treatment by the courts than if the would have committed the same crime against Thais.

Commuting the death sentence to life actually did enhance Thailand's international reputation as most parts of the modern and civilised world have abolished the death sentence. Most of these countries do not even extradite people to countries in which they could expect the death sentence for their crime.

[rocky]

The family of the victim went public at the time and asked for the death penalty NOT to be given out as punishment.

We can all give opinions, but our opinions count for nothing. It is not our loss, not our pain.

However

The family of the Victim asked for no death penalty and the courts provided such an out come.

[eljeque]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

I doubt they would have been executed for it. Rape is very common here. Men get minimal sentences for it, and then are let out after a few years.

I would like to see a lot more Thai men executed in this country (as well as the Irishman in Jomtien for killing his GF) for their heinous crimes, but it does not happen very often.

Does anyone have statistics on the death penalty in this country?

[wolfmanjack]

The death sentence should be reserved for those who do gross harm to society as a whole. Example, those guilty of massive corruption.

But where would you start given the scale and history of corruption in Thailand?

I understand how businessmen become rich but how do civil servants and senior armed servicemen and policemen become rich when in most cases they have no source of funds but their rather low salaries.Perhaps a good start would be for the junta (and wives, children, servants) and its instigators to declare their wealth and its source by means of an independent audit.Having done that and established their own clean credentials, they could move on to a war on corruption and other crimes.

Another example of gross harm to society might be the the sickening selfishness of the current power structure, its patronising contempt for ordinary Thais and the perpetuation of an artificial hierachical structure, discarded centuries ago by most other countries, serving only to preserve privilege and wealth and keep the poor downtrodden.Is this the kind of thing you had in mind?

Speaking of government salaries does anyone have a link to the salaries of gov officials in addition to army and police officers ?

[Steph1012]

Rapists of British tourist escape death sentence

While Thailand bills itself as the "Land of Smiles" with sunny beaches, there are regular incidents of foreigners involved in sexual assaults, drug offences and sometimes rape or murder.

-- news.com.au 2006-11-25

Ozzies journos to the fore again!

What crap, and what a slur on Thailand. Most of the foreigners getting into trouble with drugs and stuff are Western and Ozzie dickheads going to Kah Pang Ngan, getting stoned and pissed and behaving as crassly as they do in their own countries. It's not the Thais making them behave so stupidly.

Very safe place Thailand and we don't need third rate news agencies putting this shit out at the start of the high season.

[rocky]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

I doubt they would have been executed for it. Rape is very common here. Men get minimal sentences for it, and then are let out after a few years.

I would like to see a lot more Thai men executed in this country (as well as the Irishman in Jomtien for killing his GF) for their heinous crimes, but it does not happen very often.

Does anyone have statistics on the death penalty in this country?

But the lady was also KILLED, not just raped.

Futher more their is evidence that the death penatly does not work as a deterent, just look at america, 11,000 gun killings every year, more people in prison than any other contry in the world... (The land of the free)

Edited November 25, 2006 by rocky

[eljeque]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

Rubbish.

It is normal procedure here to grant convicted criminals a reduction of their sentence when they are cooperative. In such a case it is usual to commute the death sentence to a life sentence, which might be further reduced according to conduct while in prison.

One can expect that both will serve time of somewhere around 20 to 30 years.

And regarding such crimes against foreigners, generally the accused will face much harsher treatment by the courts than if the would have committed the same crime against Thais.

Commuting the death sentence to life actually did enhance Thailand's international reputation as most parts of the modern and civilised world have abolished the death sentence. Most of these countries do not even extradite people to countries in which they could expect the death sentence for their crime.

Although I remember some nations around the world and their mouthpieces speaking out against the death penalty, I am sure that the majority of the populace of these countries would have prefered to see the two die. If they are given life, or 20-30 years, then they may sneak out or be let out. I have more confidence in the death penalty than I do in these guys doing 20 or 30 years. I do not think that 30 years is enough, nor is life in prison. That leaves death.

In Belgium in 1995?, some men were caught having kidnapped, held as sex-slaves, and then murdered several girls aged between 12-15. My numbers are a little off, but you get the general idea. In Belgium, there was no death penalty. While watching CNN, my Belgian friend and I watched many women demonstrating in front ot the house where the girls had been held captive. My friend translated that these women were not asking for life in prisonment.

I do not have a Texan's view on the death penalty, meaning that I do not want to see everyone out there receive it for hard crimes, and in some cases, I think it is just. The laws and penalties for breaking laws of a country should represent the views of the populace of that country. From what I see, the majority of Thai people believe in the death penalty.

[isaanbrit]

I would like to see a lot more Thai men executed in this country

Well your a nice chap aren't you

[lv2play]

Death penalty is no punishment in LOS,after what i,ve seen of Thai prisons it must feel like a relief to these guys.

Spending 30-40 years behind Thai bars looks very suiteable to me.

eljeque

I would like to see a lot more Thai men executed in this country (as well as the Irishman in Jomtien for killing his GF) for their heinous crimes, but it does not happen very often.

Does anyone have statistics on the death penalty in this country?

Yes ,here it is,the procedure looks like normal Thai to me.

facts death penalties in Thailand

Edited November 25, 2006 by lv2play

[isaanbrit]

Rapists of British tourist escape death sentence

While Thailand bills itself as the "Land of Smiles" with sunny beaches, there are regular incidents of foreigners involved in sexual assaults, drug offences and sometimes rape or murder.

-- news.com.au 2006-11-25

Ozzies journos to the fore again!

What crap, and what a slur on Thailand. Most of the foreigners getting into trouble with drugs and stuff are Western and Ozzie dickheads going to Kah Pang Ngan, getting stoned and pissed and behaving as crassly as they do in their own countries. It's not the Thais making them behave so stupidly.

Very safe place Thailand and we don't need third rate news agencies putting this shit out at the start of the high season.

Here here,

These incidences are hardly regular and not normal. I think the beaches in Thailand are probably among the safest I the world. I for one feel much safer walking down the beach in Samui than I feel walking down almost any road in England.

[charlesfrith]

The death sentence is invariably championed by those who lack the courage to intervene in a woman getting beaten in public. The scream for piety is inversely proportionate to the silence that the Jews experienced as friends and neighbours said NOTHING while people they had lived with were carted off to the concentration camps.

I do however endorse revenge (let's call it a spade please) by the families of the victim. If society judges a crime so heinous and the families are happy to flick the switch on the electric chair and watch the criminals uriniate themselves before bubbling in their own biological juices I have no problem with that. They have to live with it.

But as for all the armchair moral-casting-vote-deliberators who find a voice through the internet, clamour to elevate their own ethical high plane I have two questions for you. Are you using your own name? When did you ever kill someone and it felt right?

If you really find rape and death so abhorrent I suggest you look at the domestic cases which far outnumber the international and do some math on the number of convictions with death sentence. Still don't get the point? Let me hold your hand. You are only aware of this because the news hit the Thai bottom line and that is tourist dollars. Other than that institionalised rape is not a crime. Go check Thai law.

Feel angry with me? Do something constructive and set up a Raped Thai Women's Advocacy Group. .... Don't give me your feeble demands for the death sentence. I know you. You are quiet in real life with real crimes and real danger. Have some backbone.

[mbkudu]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

And regarding such crimes against foreigners, generally the accused will face much harsher treatment by the courts than if the would have committed the same crime against Thais.

I agree with Polycat on this one. I say ask a Thai woman what their opinion is. It will be different than Mr.Backpacker's I assure you. The justice system works just as poorly for Thais as it does for foreigners, especially uninfluential Thais.

[Kaysfeld]

The death sentence should be reserved for those who do gross harm to society as a whole. Example, those guilty of massive corruption.

I can't agreed more that corruption do gross harm to sociaty.

But in Thailand, this would result in the execution of most of the Thai Police Officers, Custom Officers, Politicians, Business men and many other officials. I think there would not be many left.

[veteran]

They deserve to rot in jail

[JacknDanny]

The scream for piety is inversely proportionate to the silence that the Jews experienced as friends and neighbours said NOTHING while people they had lived with were carted off to the concentration camps.

You were there then were you??

[wrecker]

wow mister or misses Backpack, you seem to be a real bible belt American. I think that the parents of the murdered girl have far more grace than you do. Ghandi already knew that an eye for eye would make the entire world blind! The Ceath sentence is barbaric and therefore only used in barbaric societies.

[bradthai]

steph and isaan brit,

so an aussie agency was were the report came from. good on them for reporting it.

and the most disgusting tourist i have seen, here and around the world, have been queen loving poms. had to bail a couple of them out a few times, literally. brainless f/wits.

[Matt1036]

Rapists of British tourist escape death sentence

While Thailand bills itself as the "Land of Smiles" with sunny beaches, there are regular incidents of foreigners involved in sexual assaults, drug offences and sometimes rape or murder.

-- news.com.au 2006-11-25

Ozzies journos to the fore again!

What crap, and what a slur on Thailand. Most of the foreigners getting into trouble with drugs and stuff are Western and Ozzie dickheads going to Kah Pang Ngan, getting stoned and pissed and behaving as crassly as they do in their own countries. It's not the Thais making them behave so stupidly.

Very safe place Thailand and we don't need third rate news agencies putting this shit out at the start of the high season.

Here here,

These incidences are hardly regular and not normal. I think the beaches in Thailand are probably among the safest I the world. I for one feel much safer walking down the beach in Samui than I feel walking down almost any road in England.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"there are regular incidents of foreigners involved in..."

Actually what is written is factually correct. There are various ways to be "involved" in a crime, an Australian nurse was "involved" in the crime of murder in Kanchanaburi recently - she was the victim. The media is very clever at putting a slant on a story just by the way the "facts" are presented. Shame on the Aussie media.

Thank goodness we have the British tabloids to balance things out hey?

The mother said the victim would not have supported the death penalty - hands up everybody who thinks your vote should count for more. Enough said.

[pgs]

wow mister or misses Backpack, you seem to be a real bible belt American. I think that the parents of the murdered girl have far more grace than you do. Ghandi already knew that an eye for eye would make the entire world blind! The Ceath sentence is barbaric and therefore only used in barbaric societies.

[pgs]

wow mister or misses Backpack, you seem to be a real bible belt American. I think that the parents of the murdered girl have far more grace than you do. Ghandi already knew that an eye for eye would make the entire world blind! The Ceath sentence is barbaric and therefore only used in barbaric societies.

Of course the death sentence is only used in barbaric societies - that's why it's still used in parts of the US.

Those boys will get their desserts in the BKK Hilton. Hope they enjoy it at least as much as she didn't.

BTW: I have no problem at all with the death sentence for drugs.

[massein]

I didn't follow this story right to the end but I was under the impression that they had been executed already.

If it was a Thai woman they had raped they WOULD have beeen!!

Thailand once again enhances it's international reputation!

Since these men would not have received the death sentence in the UK for the same crime justice is served. It would have been the same result with a thai woman , I'm quiet sure. I have notice that

wrong doers seldom proclaim there innocents for long in thailand, And i have never seem evidence

of adbuse to get confessions. Prehaps its because of the Thai custom to show mercy to those that confess. Our former PM should take note

[gerardbruni]

The Dalai Lama has an interesting perspective on the death penalty: As long as a person is alive, he may change his attitudes. Therefore, death penalty is not wise. Let him retain the chance to advance in evolution, or spirituality.

No, I do not have a religion, but honor Truth wherever I find it. Buddhism, for me is an attitude, philosophy, way of life, and I remain eclectic.

Also, reincarnation would suggest that we have all been there before, or will be in the future, for it is experience, of every kind, that the soul desires, whether or not this is pleasing for the personality.

There are infant souls, souls that are babies, young souls, mature souls, old souls. etc.

This planet is about learning love and compassion, mastering----- keeping in balance money, power, and sex, with higher energies.

When we judge another, we invite their experience into our lives.

That same-sameness as Buddha-Nature, pure consciousnes, Christ energy, or whatever a culture wants to call it, is the only principle that animates us all, and suggests that we are One Self. Therefore, what energy I send to my seeming neighbor, I send to myself, for I am also part of the Totality.

The above are some of the lessons I am trying to learn, so that I can deal with such issues.

Chok dee to all!