Thread: Two Tourists Brutally Murdered on Koh Tao, One Raped: Police Spark Thailand Manhunt

Someone did take the bribe money then to be a false witness. Just think, right now, there are three people sat chomping on somtam or something else cheap that the myanmar slaves can afford, unaware that in a few days their lives will be turned upside down as they are slammed through the thai injustice system with everyone knowing that they are innocent but must be found guilty for the good of Thai Tourism. Meanwhile, a couple of other Somchais are slurping their beers chuckling know they got away with it and daddy bailed them out, free to do it again, and again, and again, but only to myanmar, Cambo and Thai girls in future which will not shame thailand.

Originally Posted by Necron99

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Currently the island has a mere police "booth" staffed by only two officers. He urged local business owners and residents to contribute funds to build the station.

In 1990 the Pigs built the first Police station with donations from all farang businesses and the local population. My dive shop contributed.

Considering the massive amount of money generated on that Island one would think that the Government could pay for the new station.

The local Headman has that much money he could build ten of them.

The big players on Koh Tao have made millions of US dollars since the late 80's.

The money flowing through that Island is mad.

Thai police investigating the murder of two British backpackers tried to bribe a taxi driver to give false evidence against a football team then beat him up when he refused, it was claimed today.
Pornprasit Sukdam claims he was offered 700,000 baht (£13,300) if he agreed to be a fake witness to events leading up to the deaths of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in Koh Tao.
But when he turned down the offer, he claims the officers became angry and attacked him before releasing him on Monday evening.
He said he complained to the district chief Kobchai Saowalak and asked for protection over fears of another attack after the officers said they intended to question him again yesterday.

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The bodies of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found on a beach on Koh Tao on September 15


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The last known picture of the pair, together with a group at the sports bar called Choppers - they also went to the AC bar where a group of amateur footballers were celebrating the end of a tournament

He said: 'They said they would give me 700,000 baht to be a witness but I was not a witness,' Pornprasit told Thai journalists from ASTV-Manager online, as cited by Prachatai.
'I never saw anything. Then they became angry.'
Pornprasit, 37, is a member of the Sun Service Football team, who became the latest suspects in the murder inquiry when they were questioned by police last week.
A spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that DNA samples were taken from 'more than eight' footballers - who reportedly threw a late-night party at the AC nightclub where the victims spent their final hours - and officers were awaiting the results.
The amateur footballers were allegedly at the nightclub celebrating the end of a tournament while the British backpackers were there.

Sorry I can't post the link.

^

One must remember that the Island Taxi drivers have been mostly born on Tao.

Its a closed shop, outsiders cannot do Taxi business on Tao.

All the drivers are well known and connected, can't see the Pigs beating a confession out of them without real proof to back it up.

DNA is the key here.

The local power brokers would not let a local lad be set up.

The police will arrest someone in three days.....
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Does this mean they are awaiting the results of DNA sampling from Bangkok?

It is the only reason for making such an announcement but then we are in Thailand and who knows what they mean. Cynically, it could be that they are still putting the finishing touches to a grand frame up and are awaiting final approval from senior officers before going to press, so to speak. But who knows, they may well actually have the DNA evidence to finally arrest the three killers whose identities have already been disclosed in the past week or so.

One's a cop.

Originally Posted by terry57

All the drivers are well known and connected, can't see the Pigs beating a confession out of them without real proof to back it up.

You didn't read it Tezza - They didn't want a confession. They offered him 700k to fake seeing someone killing the couple, probably someone they are about to pin the crime on. The Cabbie said no, so they beat him up.

Originally Posted by terry57

^

One must remember that the Island Taxi drivers have been mostly born on Tao.

Its a closed shop, outsiders cannot do Taxi business on Tao.

All the drivers are well known and connected, can't see the Pigs beating a confession out of them without real proof to back it up.

DNA is the key here.

The local power brokers would not let a local lad be set up.

I hear what you say here but would this guy risk his life to say this ?
I cannot see what he could possibly gain by making these very dangerous accusations.

^ ^

Same but different, remember that these guys have lived on Tao their whole life.

For one of them to bow down to corruption and take the Pigs money is a massive call.

They would not do it. Way too much baggage.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Koh Tao murders arrest in 2-3 days - police
Investigators put face to killer's DNA, source says

Police are claiming they will make the first arrest in the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao by Saturday.

Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, the southern Region 8 police division commander who took over as assistant national police chief today, said Wednesday that authorities have short-listed ten potential suspects and should arrest, or at least obtain a warrant for, on suspect within two or three days.

Police have been under tremendous pressure to arrest those responsible for the Sept 15 killing and rape of Hannah Witheridge, 23 and murder of David Miller, 24. In the past two weeks a string of 'suspects" and "persons of interest" have been named and questioned, only to have each and every one released without charge.

With no leads, investigators on Koh Tao resorted to mass DNA testing of the Surat Thani island's population. From about 300 people, officers identified ten who had been at AC Bar - the last place the British couple was seen - from midnight to 4.30am that fateful night. They also were linked with some forensic evidence, Lt Gen Panya said.

A police source also told the Bangkok Post Wednesday that detectives were looking for three men who shopped at a convenience store near Sairee Beach where the Britons were killed.

Captured on security cameras, the trio bought one item later found discarded. The source said DNA recovered from that package matched that found at the crime scene.


Lt Gen Panya said all ten people short-listed have been under surveillance and will soon be interrogated, some for the second time. The new round of questioning will determine who the culprits were, he vowed.

"We are confident that within two or three days an arrest warrant can be issued or a wrong-doer arrested," Lt Gen Panya said, adding that the list of ten contained both Thais and Myanmar nationals.

"We have confidence in the forensic evidence that points to the wrong-doers, but we must be careful" to investigate thoroughly, he said.

As national police closed in on the perpetrators of the murders, local authorities continued work to shore up safety on the island infamous for parties, excessive drinking, drug use and crimes against tourists.

Pol Col Apichart Boonsriroj, deputy chief of Surat Thani police, said that he wants to see a police substation opened on the island - the closest station is on neighbouring Koh Phangan - and would deploy more officers and volunteers to ensure safety and restore tourist confidence.

Currently the island has a mere police "booth" staffed by only two officers. He urged local business owners and residents to contribute funds to build the station.

Vannee Thaipanich, president of the Koh Phangan Tourism Association, said the murders on Koh Tao have affected deeply bookings the Oct 8 full moon party on that island, with 30% of rooms remaining unbooked. Normally, hotels are booked solid for the party, she said.

Normally, full-moon revellers arrived five or six days in advance and visit Koh Tao for scuba diving. The fallout from the killings is evident, she said.

Mr Vannee said he hoped confidence would be restored in time for high season and the New Year's holidays.

Koh Tao murders arrest in 2-3 days - police | Bangkok Post: news

Yesterday with the railroad murderer, I was hoping to see expedited appeals and a quick execution of the child killer, but certainly not in this case.

After the bumbling clown show this investigation has been and "too elite to be questioned" possible suspects making threats and calling new conferences to display silly video pictures, I'd be damn apprehensive of any conclusions reached or charges filed, especially if they try to push it off on some fisherman or Burmese worker.

Also, whenever the police anywhere (but especially here) are highly pressured to solve a crime, that sets up a dangerous situation.

I have a feeling this thing is far from solved and likely never will be, even if the murderers picture is in today's newspaper.

As for DNA, it's useless and misleading unless there is someone credible who can testify the stuff in the tube really came from the man whose name is on it (chain of evidence). Since it was obvious the police were either intimidated by locals or just did not want to find them guilty, all the early testing is suspect and useless.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

There is not a single shred of evidence to link McAnna to these crimes. Repeated speculative comments based on no more than the musings of an idiot is unhelpful and only serves to bolster idle Internet chatter and to provide futile foundation to the now discredited theory the crimes were perpetrated by a farang.

Is it alright to say that here? I could be more succinct but my definition of robust may not accord with whoever moderates here.

If I am the " idiot, " I will respond The evidence; proximity, guitar playing, blood on guitar, leaving blood on guitar , blood on him at the time of the crime, making sure he is assisted removing blood, bizarre lyrics regarding killing people, attention seeking.
I think he is involved and wants to get caught, but realizes it will get him killed surely because it will implicate the two others.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

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Does this mean they are awaiting the results of DNA sampling from Bangkok?

It is the only reason for making such an announcement but then we are in Thailand and who knows what they mean. Cynically, it could be that they are still putting the finishing touches to a grand frame up and are awaiting final approval from senior officers before going to press .

The only way they could fit someone up with this crime is too alter the DNA or just plain lie about a match.

Can they do that ? I don't know.

Seems to me this crime is way above being able to be corrupted by the cops.

Too many people watching. Real prove will be needed.

Too many way cashed up locals players to see one of their own fitted up with the crime or bribed into giving a confession.

I tend to think it will go unsolved at the end of the day, the Pigs are just posturing at this stage.

Flapping around like a fart in the wind with no direction home, trying to save face is the pathetic way for the Thais.

The taxi driver was the member of the group of footballers visiting Koh Tao fro a game. Well, that's how I read it.

But what's the point in fitting them up if their DNA doesn't match that of the semen found on the victim?

Or are they going to switch samples? Find that difficult to believe unless of course Bangkok are arranging matters in which case the Forensic Bureau in Bangkok will be complicit.

Maybe they are going for the grand frame up after all.

Watching these people is fascinating if a little repellent.

Nothing's changed - besides the fact the BIB only open their mouths to change feet!

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^Good editorial. Pretty much sums it up.

Yes....seconded!

Likewise. Still waters run deep.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

The taxi driver was the member of the group of footballers visiting Koh Tao fro a game. Well, that's how I read it.

But what's the point in fitting them up if their DNA doesn't match that of the semen found on the victim?

Or are they going to switch samples? Find that difficult to believe unless of course Bangkok are arranging matters in which case the Forensic Bureau in Bangkok will be complicit.

Maybe they are going for the grand frame up after all.

Watching these people is fascinating if a little repellent.

The testing at forensic bureau is blind, numbered samples. I think switching samples would be easy, but has the Univ guy even been tested? Or the other son, where is he, the one dad did claim left that morning... although I cannot find that article anymore, it has been deleted. Better start saving them offline, too.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

This is a good article written by a Thai lady in Chiang Mai.

Excellent. Out of ammo.

Where did the alleged altercation with the local wanker take place? Choppers or AC bar?

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

But what's the point in fitting them up if their DNA doesn't match that of the semen found on the victim?

Because, according to the Bangkok place doing the DNA testing, the cops are sending blind samples to them with no indication of who it belongs to. This is against normal protocol as it prevents coppers fitting people up by switching samples.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^Good editorial. Pretty much sums it up.

Yes....seconded!

Unfortunately she let the facade slip with the uncongruous addition of a fucking Ronan Keating song title.

But ultimately accurate...

Most places the defense would have the right to their own independant testing and it costs fuck all.
Might work with a poor burmese..

I think people have misunderstood what I meant by switching samples.

I mean the samples found in the female victim held by the Forensic bureau, for comparison purposes with other specimens taken in the course of the enquiry, could be switched and replaced with samples taken from those to be fitted up.the match of course will then be made and the case is solved.

It's not beyond the bounds of reasonable conjecture given how the Thai people operate.

This is a country with no law or government in the accepted sense of the words.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I think people have misunderstood what I meant by switching samples.

I mean the samples found in the female victim held by the Forensic bureau, for comparison purposes with other specimens taken in the course of the enquiry, could be switched and replaced with samples taken from those to be fitted up.the match of course will then be made and the case is solved.

It's not beyond the bounds of reasonable conjecture given how the Thai people operate.

This is a country with no law or government in the accepted sense of the words.

The sample is semen, are they gonna give them handjobs?

I doubt anyone is giving semen samples. just the inside the cheek swabs.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I mean the samples found in the female victim held by the Forensic bureau, for comparison purposes with other specimens taken in the course of the enquiry, could be switched and replaced with samples taken from those to be fitted up.the match of course will then be made and the case is solved.

The original samples from semen found in 3 orifices of the victims (the male was raped too) was sent to Singapore to determine race. I would assume the Singapore lab would still have the results on file and possibly the swabs used.

If it turns out that a scapegoat is suspected, it wouldn't be long before an investigative journalist in search of a scoop, book deal, documentary tie-in etc would track down the real suspects and sneakily retrieve some DNA sample from them.

Getting a DNA match with Singapore that pointed to the real killers would send the authorities into 'Headless Chicken' mode.

Originally Posted by Gazza

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I mean the samples found in the female victim held by the Forensic bureau, for comparison purposes with other specimens taken in the course of the enquiry, could be switched and replaced with samples taken from those to be fitted up.the match of course will then be made and the case is solved.

The original samples from semen found in 3 orifices of the victims (the male was raped too) was sent to Singapore to determine race. I would assume the Singapore lab would still have the results on file and possibly the swabs used.

If it turns out that a scapegoat is suspected, it wouldn't be long before an investigative journalist in search of a scoop, book deal, documentary tie-in etc would track down the real suspects and sneakily retrieve some DNA sample from them.

Getting a DNA match with Singapore that pointed to the real killers would send the authorities into 'Headless Chicken' mode.

They don't do that sort of investigative reporting in LOS if you hadn't noticed.
Someone ends up dead if they try.