British Tourist Murders: Thai Diplomat Summoned
BBC News
October 13, 2014
The Thai charge d'affaires has been summoned to the UK Foreign Office over concerns about the inquiry into the murders of two British tourists.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the summons of Nadhavathna Krishnamra on Monday followed a call made by Mr Swire to Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister earlier this month.
In a statement, the FCO said: "Mr Swire stressed that there was a real concern in the UK about how the investigation has been handled by the Thai authorities. He said that it was crucial for the investigation to be conducted in a fair and transparent way."
The FCO added: "Mr Swire emphasised how important it was that the UK and Hannah and David's families received regular updates on the investigation's progress. He also noted his concern about the way that the police had engaged with the media on the case and reiterated that the UK police stood ready to assist with the investigation and subsequent legal process."
The FCO previously said it was "concerned" about reports the Burmese workers have been mistreated by Thai police and had raised those concerns with the relevant authorities.
Full article: BBC News - British tourist murders: Thai diplomat summoned
British Foreign Office Warns Travelers About Thailand’s Islands
Asian Correspondent
October 13, 2014
Written by: Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices, Daniel Maxwell
Following the brutal murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao last month, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its travel advice to include a warning about the dangers of travelling to Thailand’s island destinations.
The update advisory said: “Western tourists including British nationals have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by individuals and gangs in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Violent sexual assaults and robberies against both men and women are reported regularly in the Koh Samui archipelago and Krabi province.”
This is just the latest repercussion from the Koh Tao murders to tarnish Thailand’s tourist-friendly image.
In another embarrassing incident last week, the Thai media reported that the British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent had praised the Royal Thai Police on their handling of the murder investigation: “The British Ambassador to Thailand expressed his satisfaction on how the case was being handled and his government would not interfere in any way with the investigation. Mr. Kent went on to praise the Royal Thai Police in solving the case and have shown exemplary professionalism as a crime fighting unit.”
Mark Kent later denied ever making such a statement and the comments have since been removed from the Thai PBS News website.
Meanwhile, back in the UK another suspicious death on Koh Tao has come to light. The parents of Nick Pearson, whose body was in the sea on New Year’s Day, believe his murder was covered up to protect Thailand’s lucrative tourist industry.
All this comes amongst growing pressure from human rights organizations and the media in the UK to ensure a fair and transparent trial in this high profile murder case. It will be interesting to see what effect all this negative press has on tourism over the coming months.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/127360...lands-islands/
Three 'Witnesses' To Testify In Koh Tao Case
Lawyers Council will attend court hearing
Bangkok Post
October 14, 2014
Writer: Sirinya Wattanasukchai
Lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand will accompany three potential witnesses from Myanmar as they testify in the Koh Tao murder case in a court in Samui Tuesday, human rights advocate Surapong Kongchantuk said.
It is unclear whether the two accused Myanmar workers, Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin, will appear at the hearing. If they are, it would be the first time they are represented by lawyers during official questioning.
Media in London reported the British government on Monday summoned Thailand's top diplomatic representative to lay out its "real concern" about the murder investigation.
Win and Zaw are charged with the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, who were found dead on Koh Tao's Sai Ree beach in the early hours of Sept 15.
In addition to Maung Maung, a roommate of the suspects who says he did not see the killings, two other Myanmar nationals, Ren Ren and Nee Ong, have been called to give depositions Tuesday, said Mr Surapong, who is chairman of the Lawyers Council of Thailand's human rights subcommittee on ethnic minorities.
He did not say how Ren and Nee were connected to the case. It is unclear where they are being held, but they are known not to be permanent residents. He said the authorities might further question Win and Zaw to make up for shortcomings noted by prosecutors in the 300-page investigation report.
Mr Surapong said the council decided Monday to assign two lawyers, working pro bono, to aid a human rights network assisting the witnesses. So far, questioning of the suspects and witnesses have been done without a lawyer and a proper interpreter present.
One high-ranking police officer told the media the Myanmar nationals didn't ask for a lawyer. "It's the police's duty to inform the Myanmar nationals that they have the right to request a lawyer," Mr Surapong said. They can also request an interpreter who is neutral and unaffiliated with the police. He claims the authorities failed to inform them of those rights.
Mr Surapong said a team of lawyers would later be assigned to the case. He didn't give the lawyers' names. They plan to help the suspects and witnesses navigate the legal process, including informing them how to confess if they are guilty and how to defend themselves if they are innocent.
The lawyers also intend to check into the physical condition of the suspects amid reports they are showing signs of stress. They will also attempt to determine whether Win and Zaw were tortured to confess, as the rights group Amnesty International has claimed.
But this could only happen if the authorities allowed the lawyers to examine them, he said. Mr Surapong said defending the suspects, which has attracted local and international scrutiny, requires a large team of lawyers. The case has dented relations between Thailand, Myanmar and Britain, and harmed Thailand's reputation as a tourism destination. It has also raised questions about Thailand's judicial process, Mr Surapong said.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...090/692081.jpg
Maung Maung (blue shirt), alleged witness and friend of the accused killers and still in police custody in Koh Samui, is interviewed by a Myanmar embassy legal team last week. He will appear Tuesday at a formal police interrogation. (Photo by Min Oo)
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...090/694024.jpg
Full article: Three 'witnesses' to testify in Koh Tao case | Bangkok Post: news