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

**snakeeyes** · 10-10-2014, 12:57 PM

Thailand beach death: Parents convinced son murdered
and his killing covered up to protect tourism

Oct 09, 2014
By Claire Donnelly

The parents of a British holidaymaker who died in suspicious circumstances in Thailand are convinced he was murdered – and the killing covered up to protect tourism.

Nick Pearson, 25, was on a family vacation to the island of Koh Tao when he was found dead on New Year’s Day.

His body was discovered in the sea close to the beach where British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered a month ago.

Police there say Nick drowned after a 50ft fall.

But his parents are battling to disprove the official version of events.

They think he may have been followed back to his holiday bungalow and killed.

Despite being warned to keep quiet by people on the island, the family have refused to be silenced.

His parents, Tracy and Graham, who were on the holiday with Nick and their other son, Matt, 29, are being backed by British police as they fight for answers from the Thai authorities.

Tracy said: “It seems like they just want to protect their tourist industry but we need to know what happened.”

The family also think the police have got it wrong over the deaths of Hannah, 23, and David, 24.

Two bar workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, have been charged with bludgeoning the pair to death.

Amnesty International claims the Burmese men may have been tortured into confessing. A “reconstruction”, in which the men re-enacted the murders on Sairee beach, was also widely condemned.

Nick and his family were on the same beach in the hours before his death.

Tracy, 53, said: “We don’t believe the men they’ve arrested for killing Hannah and Miller have anything to do with it. It’s just a plan to show the police have acted so they don’t put tourists off. As soon as I saw the news about Hannah and David I cried for them and their parents because I know how hard it is to get the truth on that island.

“Seeing it all on the news – the same beach, the same police – has brought it all back and we’re finding it very hard to deal with.

“For us it’s horrendous, a living nightmare. We have to face the awful reality we might never get the answers we need. I just hope that one day someone will get to the bottom of what’s happening on Koh Tao, and what really happened to our wonderful son.”

She added: “We are sure our son was murdered but no one claims to know anything. We will keep campaigning for justice. We hope that having Koh Tao in the spotlight might help.”
Tracy, a benefits assessor, 56-year-old electrician Graham, and Nick, also an electrician, were among a large group of family and friends in Thailand on the holiday. Tracy said: “We were all really excited. Nick loved Thailand – this was his seventh visit..”

They spent New Year’s Eve having dinner and drinks, including a cocktail in the Choppers Bar and Grill which was visited by Hannah and David shortly before they were killed.

Tracy said that after their meal they headed to Sairee beach for the New Year countdown and fireworks.

She said: “At about 1am we decided to head back to our resort. We were staying in bungalows on a steep hillside overlooking the sea.

“My husband walked Nick back to his bungalow and saw him get in bed.”

The family began to worry on New Year’s Day because they had not seen or heard from Nick for hours. Later, friends came to Tracy’s room to reveal that otel staff had told them Nick had been found dead in the sea. “I fell to my knees,” Tracy said. “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. We were crying, numb, confused.”

Taken to a temple to identify the body, the parents saw that their son’s head was gashed.

They soon began to question the police’s version of events. Tracy said: “Even with our shock and grief, we knew it didn’t add up. He would never have gone swimming of his own accord. And if he’d fallen from his bungalow, 50ft down, his body would have been stopped by the rocks or badly injured.

“He didn’t look like someone who had been in the water for hours – there was still dried blood on his face. It was all wrong. We knew he liked a Thai girl he’d met and we wondered if that had caused offence, and that someone followed him and did him harm.”

She added: “The police didn’t look at his room or the area where he was found. There was no attempt to investigate. They spent most of their time laughing and joking as we asked questions.”

Tracy said her son Matt was warned there are “powerful people on the island”, and that the family should leave rather than stirring up trouble.

They also heard other holidaymakers had died on the island and their bodies “thrown into the water in the hope they’d be washed away”.

When the family, of the Mickleover suburb of Derby, brought Nick’s body home a week later, a post-mortem revealed he had drowned. The coroner opened an investigation, on the grounds it was a suspicious death.

Tracy said: “Nick had no broken bones which seemed strange for someone who’d fallen all that way. The postmortem report said the possibility he was assaulted before death could not be excluded.” Their demands for answers are being backed by British police who are working with the Foreign Office to try to question the Thai authorities ahead of a UK inquest in December.

Tracy said: “I haven’t been able to go back to work. I feel like I’m just stuck in this limbo. Not knowing what happened is a kind of torture.”

* The men charged with murdering Hannah and David have retracted their confessions, it has emerged. Burmese lawyer Aung Myo Thant said the 21-year-old bar workers claim Thai police forced them to confess by beating them.

Thailand beach death: Parents convinced son murdered ? and his killing covered up to protect tourism - Mirror Online

**buriramboy** · 10-10-2014, 01:21 PM

Seems everyone fearing the 2 innocent Burmese fishermen going to commit suicide, totally unaided of course.

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

The roti vendor was on channel 3 and even the news guy said he was surrounded by undercover cops during the interview. They were off camera of course but one can only assume they had to make sure he followed the script.

Did he? Seems the script rewrites aren't getting to all the cast;

From the now global CSI LA

The wine bottle is now a new murdered [sic] weapon.
According the the pancake vendor / translator,the suspects used wine bottle to attack David which is conflicted to the police report.

(Sorry no idea how to copy vid )

**snakeeyes** · 10-10-2014, 02:56 PM

Koh Tao Suspects' Alleged Recantation 'Normal,' Police Officer Says

Khaosod English
10 October 2014

SURAT THANI - A senior police officer has downplayed a news report that claims the two Burmese migrants accused of murdering two British tourists recanted their "confessions" this week.

"The suspects have every rights under the law to retract their testimony," said Pol.Col. Prachum Ruengthong, chief of Koh Pha Ngan Police Station, whose jurisdiction covers Koh Tao island where the murders took place.

"In many other cases, suspects also recant their confessions during trial. It's normal," Pol.Col. Prachum said.

His comment came a few days after a report from the Myanmar-based 7 Daily newspaper claimed the two Burmese suspects, named Saw and Win, retracted their "confession" to murdering the two Britons, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, on the popular island of Koh Tao on 15 September.

According to the report, a lawyer from the Burmese embassy said the two suspects told him they did not commit the murder, contrary to Thai police's claim that the men confessed shortly after they were arrested.

However, several other news reports quoted the lawyer as saying the two men did confess to the murder, although the details of their testimony remained murky leading him to believe the case may have been a "set-up."

Earlier this week, a number of human rights groups, including Amnesty International, also demanded an investigation into the claim that the two suspects were tortured under police custody.

Yet Pol.Col. Prachum insisted that the suspects did not suffer any physical abuse at the hands of the police.

"I insist that it is not true. The police have never coerced the suspects, physically or mentally, into confessing," he said.

The officer added, "Saw and Win confessed on their own, because they are guilty of what they have done. There's no more beating of suspects in this era. The entire police operation is under the eyes of the media."

Saw and Win are currently detained at Koh Samui Prison. They have been charged with premeditated murder, sexual assault, and nighttime theft. If found guilty, the pair could face the death pena

Koh Tao Suspects' Alleged Recantation 'Normal,' Police Officer Says

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 04:21 PM

Now it gets interesting;
From the other forum, too good to not post.

Koh Tao: Un membre d'une famille mafieuse locale serait-il le responsable du meurtre des deux jeunes touristes britanniques? - Le blog de liberez-somyot

Koh Tao: A member of a local crime family is it responsible for the murder of two young British tourists?
Following our article "Scapegoats Burmese in a murder case in Thailand", we received dozens of emails in English and French sent by residents of Koh Tao.These people want to remain anonymous because they live on site and are very afraid of this family able to influence the outcome of the police investigation.
Here is basically what these people say:
Responsible for the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge and murder of David Miller, who tried to defend her would be a man named Warot Tuwichian and an unidentified friend of his. Warot Tuwichian forgot there a condom that contained course his DNA.
Warot Tuwichian is the son of Montriwat Tuwichian, aged 45 years and manager of AC Bar, a place frequented by young tourists and recommended by the travel guide "Lonely Planet" bar.

Montriwat Tuwichian

The recommendation of the travel guide "Lonely Planet"

Montriwat Tuwichian is clearly the man on the left in the photograph taken by a tourist of two Thais who threatened McAnna Sean, the young witness Scottish.

Where it gets complicated is that the brother of Montriwat Tuwichian and therefore the uncle of the alleged rapist and murderer is none other than Voraphan Toovichien, a local mafia politician, Mayor of Koh Tao and also an important member of Section Surat Thani the Democratic Party.

The leader of the Democratic Party in the province of Surat Thani (including the island of Koh Tao depends) is none other than Suthep Thaugsuban, the man who created the PDRC and organized the demonstrations given to the army grounds to make a coup.

Suthep Thaugsuban of the same yellow bracelet Montriwat Tuwichian on the photo above

Voraphan Toovichien was one of the organizers of the PDRC in the province of Surat Thani and therefore has the support of the military. It would have ordered the police to destroy the condom with the DNA of his nephew and pick up a cigarette butt in an area of the beach where young Burmese were used to play the guitar once their work is completed and claim to have found at the scene of the crime. Then young Burmese were tortured to extract confessions.
Young Burmese have since retracted their statements and asserted that they were tortured.
Nevertheless, they will probably sentenced to death as it is to protect the reputation of a mafia family of Koh Tao.

Young Burmese likely to be sentenced to death

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 04:26 PM

**thailazer** · 10-10-2014, 04:27 PM

Well that is certainly starting to explain how powerful the connections are. Wow. -edit: Looks to me like the uphill battle for the two Burmese just got a lot tougher.

**baldrick** · 10-10-2014, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by YOrlov

of the same yellow bracelet

<snigger>

maybe you should break the news to the poirot

**9999** · 10-10-2014, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by YOrlov

Now it gets interesting;
From the other forum, too good to not post.

Koh Tao: Un membre d'une famille mafieuse locale serait-il le responsable du meurtre des deux jeunes touristes britanniques? - Le blog de liberez-somyot

Koh Tao: A member of a local crime family is it responsible for the murder of two young British tourists?

They have those links blocked had to fire up the VPN

**BobR** · 10-10-2014, 05:30 PM

Time Magazine does not print articles like this lightly, and that's about as public as you can get;
Thailand Backpacker Murders: Investigation Has Become a Farce
WORLD THAILAND
The Investigation Into Thailand’s Backpacker Slayings Is Officially a Farce
Charlie Campbell @charliecamp6ell 5:47 AM ET

This still reminds me of the Chiang Mai hotel deaths a few years back in which they consistently insulted the intelligence of the World, and did it with a straight face.

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

Originally Posted by 9999

Originally Posted by YOrlov

Now it gets interesting;
From the other forum, too good to not post.

Koh Tao: Un membre d'une famille mafieuse locale serait-il le responsable du meurtre des deux jeunes touristes britanniques? - Le blog de liberez-somyot

Koh Tao: A member of a local crime family is it responsible for the murder of two young British tourists?

They have those links blocked had to fire up the VPN

-retracted this post......

RE your message; works for me on DTAC (Translation from TVF post)

**thailazer** · 10-10-2014, 07:31 PM

It's blocked hard on TOT. Also appears that post was pulled on TVF, at least I can't find it. Really gives insight into what this country is all about.

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 07:34 PM

^ This country is based on the biggest whopper, EVER in the history of big whoppers!!

Koh Tao: Un membre d'une famille mafieuse locale serait-il le responsable du meurtre des deux jeunes touristes britanniques? - Le blog de liberez-somyot

Yeah I was surprised to find it on TVF, am saving it offline, but do not have the translation link except for what is posted here .

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...fficial/page-5

# 95, translated by # 102

**nidhogg** · 10-10-2014, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

It's blocked hard on TOT. Also appears that post was pulled on TVF, at least I can't find it. Really gives insight into what this country is all about.

Yup. I gotta go through a proxy to access it.

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 08:32 PM

Well then, I think we have our answers.

**Stranger** · 10-10-2014, 08:44 PM

Any farangs with enough backbone to say they saw papa thug's son in KT/AC Bar on the night of the murders?

The laughable thing is that crackpots such as Blue thought Bangkok BIB would do a straight up job. Isn't he the same nutter that said Lee Aldhouse wouldn't be exradited to Thailand in a million years?

**BaitongBoy** · 10-10-2014, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Only those whose shirts are a certain colour. This guys is not.

Listen carefully...The PM/General is much more powerful than the Turtle Island Turd...

**thaimeme** · 10-10-2014, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by thailazer

It's blocked hard on TOT. Also appears that post was pulled on TVF, at least I can't find it. Really gives insight into what this country is all about.

Nothing new under the sun....
The censorship and suppression has applied for decades.

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 09:24 PM

Posts on TVF are claiming facebook CSI LA is blocked I can still get it, how can one page be blocked?

They are bemoaning that while ignoring the removal of posts 102 and 95 ( as reposted above.

Welcome to Orwell's prophecy.

Ok, so what is missing from the narrative is the other son, Fresh Milk's brother. Not an iota on the net about him.

**Tarquin Chucklefucc** · 10-10-2014, 09:45 PM

It's a no brainer really.

**Chittychangchang** · 10-10-2014, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by YOrlov

Posts on TVF are claiming facebook CSI LA is blocked I can still get it, how can one page be blocked?

They are bemoaning that while ignoring the removal of posts 102 and 95 ( as reposted above.

Welcome to Orwell's prophecy.

Ok, so what is missing from the narrative is the other son, Fresh Milk's brother. Not an iota on the net about him.

Not blocked in the UK

9 mins ago

Liar Liar จับโกหกนมสดได้อีกเเล้ว
นมสดต้องเข้าเรียนวิชา Accounting and Financial Management ทุกวันจันทร์ เวลา 8:40-11:00 เเละ 12:40-13:50
เเต่ทำไมนมสดเดินออกจาก หอพักพลอมร วันจันทร์ เวลา 9:16:40 ทำไมไม่ไปเรียน? ในบอกว่ามีสอบไง
Nomsod's class started at 8:40am. How come Nomsom left his dormitory at 9:16am? No backpack and no books?
Catch Liar Liar lied again, fresh milk, fresh milk and want to join a major Accounting and Financial Management on Monday at 8: 40 am-11: 00 am and 12: 40-13: 50, but why get fresh milk from dormitory troops ' Monday at 9: 16: 40, why not go to school? In saying that there are tips. (Translated by Bing)
Photo: Liar Liar จับโกหกนมสดได้อีกเเล้ว
นมสดต้องเข้าเรียนวิชา Accounting and Financial Management ทุกวันจันทร์ เวลา 8:40-11:00 เเละ 12:40-13:50
เเต่ทำไมนมสดเดินออกจาก หอพักพลอมร วันจันทร์ เวลา 9:16:40 ทำไมไม่ไปเรียน? ในบอกว่ามีสอบไง
Nomsod's class started at 8:40am. How come Nomsom left his dormitory at 9:16am? No backpack and no books?
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1,802 people like this.

**BaitongBoy** · 10-10-2014, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by YOrlov

Where it gets complicated is that the brother of Montriwat Tuwichian and therefore the uncle of the alleged rapist and murderer is none other than Voraphan Toovichien, a local mafia politician, Mayor of Koh Tao and also an important member of Section Surat Thani the Democratic Party.

Surely you are joking...Mayor of Koh Tao...That's funny....Nobody has heard of this fckwit before...Still say they would be easy to squash if the big dick had any balls...

**YOrlov** · 10-10-2014, 10:18 PM

^I'd have to disagree as he's the guy who offered 1 million baht to anyone who could implicate any member of his family. Some say this was really an offer to implicate someone else.

**Cujo** · 10-10-2014, 10:34 PM

That bloke on the right is thinking about his mum and his sweetheart and all he wants to do is play guitar and drink a beer on the beach.
Who are the killers, them, or these two feral dogs?

This shit just makes me want to puke.

**Tarquin Chucklefucc** · 10-10-2014, 11:05 PM

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

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