Murder in Land of Smiles

[arsenal]

Watch in amazement as this case takes a new and most dramatic turn.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29604685

After all, it was The UK government that put Bo Xilai inside after the Chinese investigation initially turned up nothing untoward.

I'm not quite sure how the Royal Thai Police will react to an imputation that they are completely incompetent. A libel suit, perhaps? That seems to be a common practice in Thailand.

[arsenal]

Contrary to the common claim, everyone likes to say "I told you." Including me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29706725

[Up2U]

Hopefully the UK police will not be so concerned with Thailand saving face.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/127509/no ... -tourists/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/127509/not-saving-thailands-face-the-backlash-of-police-corruption-in-the-murders-of-tourists/)

[stkyricesf]

Not trying to be unsympathetic, but why is there so much interest in this particular case? Think I just saw an article of an Australian being murdered about a week ago in Thailand, will there be this much concern? Will Australia be putting this much effort into this murder? This is not the first and certainly will not be the last murder of a foreigner in Thailand or around the world. Just wondering.

[Up2U]

Not trying to be unsympathetic, but why is there so much interest in this particular case? Think I just saw an article of an Australian being murdered about a week ago in Thailand, will there be this much concern? Will Australia be putting this much effort into this murder? This is not the first and certainly will not be the last murder of a foreigner in Thailand or around the world. Just wondering.
There are a few related links in the Protest Updates thread. It goes to the heart of police corruption here in Thailand, to the efforts of the government to end corruption which so far and been unsuccessful, to the General's comment implying the victim contributed to her murder by being young and wearing a bikini (although she was fully clothed when attacked), to "face saving" and getting a conviction before the truth, to tourism and the safety of tourists, etc. I haven't been following the Australian case but the details and story of the Koh Tao murders read like a never ending soap opera.

[Up2U]

A new article from Time magazine
This Septic Isle: Backpackers, Bloodshed and the Secretive World of Koh Tao

Charlie Campbell / Koh Tao and Koh Samui @charliecamp6ell

July 16, 2015
The death-penalty case has caused an international sensation

The balcony of room A5 at Ocean View Bungalows commands one of the finest vistas of Koh TaoтАЩs sweeping Sairee Beach. Traditional longtail boats, a rainbow of scarves adorning their bows, bob on the lapping water of the glistening bay. And right in the foreground, rising proudly from sliver sands, protrude a scattering of granite boulders, a furtive relic of this tranquil 21-sq-km (8 sq. mi.) islandтАЩs volcanic inception.

These rocks are no strangers to explosive secrets. On Sept. 15, one of the occupants of that same room A5, Hannah Witheridge, was found bludgeoned to death in their midst alongside fellow British tourist David Miller, just a short stumble from her door. Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, a seaside town on the English east coast, had been raped and killed by blows to the head. Miller, a year older and from Jersey, one of the U.K.тАЩs Channel Islands, had likewise suffered deep lacerations to his skull before drowning in the shallow surf..... (read more)......

http://time.com/3955081/thailand-koh-ta ... a-myanmar/ (http://time.com/3955081/thailand-koh-tao-murder-david-miller-hannah-witheridge-zaw-lin-wai-phyo-burma-myanmar/)

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
24 December 2015
BREAKING: Two Myanmar Men Convicted of Koh Tao Murders and Rape. Death Sentence for both
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter
SAMUI - The court today found two Myanmar workers guilty of killing two British backpackers in southern Thailand more than a year ago.

The court on Samui island this morning ruled that there is sufficient evidence to implicate the two defendants, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, in the double murder of British nationals David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in September 2014. Although there were no direct wictnesses, the DNA found on the defendants was enough, according to the court.

The case which has since attracted intense media coverage and public scrutiny. ... (read more )....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1450872256&typecate=06&section=)

[Tobi]

I'm surprised the family say they're satisfied both with the process and verdict. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35173688

[llz]

I'm surprised the family say they're satisfied both with the process and verdict. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35173688

Sure
To announce that the evidence again the burmese boys was "absolutely overwhelming" is as ridiculous as the poll suggesting that 99 % of thai people were happy with the junta.
The fact is there is absolutely no valid evidence for either sentensing or clearing the accused. In our countries, any doubt profit the accused, obviously not true in Thailand and many other places.
Disgusting

[Oliver]

Round up the Usual Suspects.

[Up2U]

December 24, 2015
Thailand: Torture claims in Koh Tao murder case must be investigated...http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-re ... vestigated (http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/thailand-torture-claims-in-koh-tao-murder-case-must-be-investigated)

[Up2U]

Koh Tao debacle: Shoddy work from beginning to end
January 1, 2016
ThailandтАЩs ludicrous official response to the outcry at the verdict
The investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao was, from the very start, a muddled affair. Yet, despite public revelations of mishandling of the case by the police and widespread doubt about the guilt of the accused, the authorities were caught by surprise at the international outcry that greeted last week's court ruling...... (read more).....http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion ... 75967.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Koh-Tao-debacle-Shoddy-work-from-beginning-to-end-30275967.html)

[Up2U]

From We are Anonymous. (start video from beginning)

https://youtu.be/BRi8AqoXxio

[paperboy]

wow
very very interesting
thanks for that

[Up2U]

Justice for Thailand?

https://m.facebook.com/anonymousforjust ... 649977040/ (https://m.facebook.com/anonymousforjustice/photos/a.273927042756537.1073741828.273925916089983/568388649977040/)

[Up2U]

Anonymous hacks Thai police sites over Burmese jailings for British backpacker murders
International cyber activists call for tourists to boycott Thailand following widely condemned police investigation. Anonymous claims two Burmese migrants have been scapegoated in the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller
Oliver Holmes in Bangkok
Wednesday 6 January 2 016
The hacking collective Anonymous has declared war on the Thai police, taking down multiple websites in protest against what it said was the scapegoating of two Burmese men convicting of killing two British backpackers on Koh Tao island.
The cyber activist group posted links to 15 Thai police websites, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau, and published several Thai police email addresses, asking its members to hack them.
On Wednesday, seven of the websites were down and two links showed a black screen with тАЬFailed Law. We want Justice. #BoycottThailandтАЭ written in white text...... (read more)....http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/j ... SApp_Other (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/06/anonymous-hacks-thai-police-sites-over-burmese-jailings-for-british-backpacker-murders?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)

[Tiktak63]

Anonymous hacks Thai police sites over Burmese jailings for British backpacker murders
International cyber activists call for tourists to boycott Thailand following widely condemned police investigation. Anonymous claims two Burmese migrants have been scapegoated in the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller
Oliver Holmes in Bangkok
Wednesday 6 January 2 016
The hacking collective Anonymous has declared war on the Thai police, taking down multiple websites in protest against what it said was the scapegoating of two Burmese men convicting of killing two British backpackers on Koh Tao island.
The cyber activist group posted links to 15 Thai police websites, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau, and published several Thai police email addresses, asking its members to hack them.
On Wednesday, seven of the websites were down and two links showed a black screen with тАЬFailed Law. We want Justice. #BoycottThailandтАЭ written in white text...... (read more)....http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/j ... SApp_Other (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/06/anonymous-hacks-thai-police-sites-over-burmese-jailings-for-british-backpacker-murders?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)


Ridiculous to boycott a country because their police are corrupt. Looking for a country with an upstanding police force would be a forlorn search.

[Up2U]

News Unlocking the DNA of doubt An international forensics expert has serious concerns about the science behind claims of a '100% match' in the Koh Tao murder case.
Published: 10/01/2016тАЛ
The evidence comprised little more than a data table, printed on a single sheet of paper. To Jane Taupin, it didnтАЩt seem to make sense. тАЬ[It] had no guidance for the reader of how to interpret the table,тАЭ... (read more).....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special ... a-of-doubt (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/821072/unlocking-the-dna-of-doubt).

[Up2U]

WITHERIDGE FAMILY BREAKS SILENCE ON KOH TAO MURDERS WITH ATTACK ON THAILAND
Monday, January 11, 2016
BITTER BUT HEARTFELT STATEMENT FROM HANNAH'S SISTER
SO YOU STILL THINK THAILAND IS BEAUTIFUL?
Laura Witheridge the sister of Hannah Witheridge who was raped then murdered with David Miller on the Thai island of Koh Tao has launched a bitter attack on the internet linking to the тАШAnoymousтАЩ group which has launched cyber attacks against the Thai Police and advocated a boycott of the country.
Clearly angered by the family treatment and attempts by the Thai government to push the murders under the carpet she gives links to the тАШAnonymousтАЩ video her attack was prompted by a poster to a story about Luke Miller, the latest Briton to die on Koh Tao saying тАШThailand is the most beautiful country in the world.тАЩ.... (read more)......http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2016/01/ ... n-koh.html (http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2016/01/witheridge-family-breaks-silence-on-koh.html)

[Up2U]

13 January 2016
Anonymous Shuts Down Hundreds of Court Sites
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter
BANGKOK тАФ Hacker collective Anonymous has vowed to release information about corrupt members of the Thai judiciary today after taking down hundreds of websites belonging to the Court of Justice in an ongoing response to the conviction of two Burmese men in a 2014 double-murder on Koh Tao.

The self-styled hacktivist group claimed responsibility through associated social media accounts for the downing of 297 websites including those of the Court of Justice and the Appeal Court since Tuesday night. Members of the group also wrote on a Facebook page it uses that they are preparing to release тАЬa huge leak of all Thai officials involved in corruption in Thai Courts.тАЭ..... (read more).....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=12 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1452675024&section=12)

[Up2U]

14 January 2016
The Koh Tao Verdict and Myanmar Migrant Worker Misery
YANGON тАФThe death sentences handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers by a Thai court on Christmas Eve ignited widespread condemnation in Myanmar...... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1452771335&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Thailand Murders: Local Justice on Trial
The conviction of two Burmese migrants has prompted international criticism over a flawed police investigation.

By Alan McKenzie
January 15, 2016.... (read more).....http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/thai-mur ... -on-trial/ (http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/thai-murders-local-justice-on-trial/)

[Up2U]

Thai police may prosecute Koh Tao victimтАЩs sister over Facebook post тАУ report
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 15th January 2016

THE sister of Koh Tao murder victim Hannah Witheridge could face prosecution after she posted a scathing criticism of Thai authorities on Facebook earlier this week..... (read more)...https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/01/ ... st-report/ (https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/01/thai-police-may-prosecute-koh-tao-victims-sister-over-facebook-post-report/)

[Dboy]

To any Old Asia Hand, none of what's stated in this article about Thai people, values, or culture would be in any way controversial. Thais HATE having a mirror held up to themselves, especially when the truth is so unflattering. Anyone who retires in Thailand, or considers Thailand to be a second home (as I used to), is living in an illusion. Go there to enjoy what can be enjoyed, but remember that when you walk out the door at Swampy, you are entering The Matrix:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/12/sister-of-murdered-tourist-says-corrupt-police-make-thailand-a-dangerous-trap

[Faranglaw]

I recently learned that a very nice young man I met in the Suan Phlu area two years ago, had been murdered in July 2014,about the same time as these murders happened. He worked in one of the massage places there. The mamasan told me he quit his job there and went freelance. Two weeks after he quit, his body was found at the Malaysia Hotel. He was 23. Mamasan told me that quite a few farang had come into her establishment since his death asking for him, and were devastated at the news because he was such a sweet and pleasant guy. Many tears have been shed there, including mine.

But he was a Burmese immigrant and his murderer, at least according to mamasan, was a farang. The farang was detained but not prosecuted as there was "insufficient evidence." No one flew halfway around the world demanding justice for my friend. His family took his ashes back to his Mom in Yangon. The Farang went back to his country. Case closed, except for those of us who feel his loss. And I do, deeply.

[homeseeker]

To any Old Asia Hand, none of what's stated in this article about Thai people, values, or culture would be in any way controversial. Thais HATE having a mirror held up to themselves, especially when the truth is so unflattering. Anyone who retires in Thailand, or considers Thailand to be a second home (as I used to), is living in an illusion. Go there to enjoy what can be enjoyed, but remember that when you walk out the door at Swampy, you are entering The Matrix:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/12/sister-of-murdered-tourist-says-corrupt-police-make-thailand-a-dangerous-trap

Well I agree with the above quote. Living in Thailand has been described as walking on a tight rope without a safety net. Its' good to stay in Thailand when everything is going well; but something like an accident, crime incident, medical emergency, conflict with officialdom or a disgruntled boyfriend can change everything and expose the vulnerability here for foreigners.

[fountainhall]

he was a Burmese immigrant and his murderer, at least according to mamasan, was a farang. The farang was detained but not prosecuted as there was "insufficient evidence."
The Thai legal system has been discussed in another thread. It is corrupt from top to bottom. If the farang was indeed guilty, there must have been a ton of evidence available to the investigators at the crime scene, including DNA. But then we know from the case of the two poor Burmese accused of murdering the British holidaymakers last year that DNA analysis in the labs in this country produces the results the investigators want, not the truth.


Its' good to stay in Thailand when everything is going well; but something like an accident, crime incident, medical emergency, conflict with officialdom or a disgruntled boyfriend can change everything and expose the vulnerability here for foreigners.
But isn't this true of most developing countries where corruption rules the roost? No matter how friendly the Thais appear towards farang, when push comes to shove we'll almost always be left to fend for ourselves as best we can? We weigh up the pros and cons and then decide if it's worth it. For some it is. For others the "vulnerability" is too much of a risk.

[Faranglaw]

The Thai legal system has been discussed in another thread. It is corrupt from top to bottom. If the farang was indeed guilty, there must have been a ton of evidence available to the investigators at the crime scene, including DNA. But then we know from the case of the two poor Burmese accused of murdering the British holidaymakers last year that DNA analysis in the labs in this country produces the results the investigators want, not the truth.

True enough. I wonder if anyone on this thread knew him. His name was Daeng. Or that's the Thai name he took for himself.

[Faranglaw]

The first paragraph was a quote from fountainhall. I'm new here and haven't figured out how to get the nice little white box with the quote inside

[cdnmatt]

The first paragraph was a quote from fountainhall. I'm new here and haven't figured out how to get the nice little white box with the quote inside

Click the "Reply with Quote" button. :)

[frequent]

The Thai legal system has been discussed in another thread. It is corrupt from top to bottom. If the farang was indeed guilty, there must have been a ton of evidence available to the investigators at the crime scene, including DNA.
The Thai police will have beaten a "confession" out of him in the usual way.

[Faranglaw]

Click the "Reply with Quote" button. :)

Thanks. Here's the result :-)

[Faranglaw]

The Thai police will have beaten a "confession" out of him in the usual way.

I think it's more likely that he actually was guilty and paid a very large bribe. But it's all conjecture. We have no way of knowing. What we do know is that if you are a pretty white farang at the beach, your family can afford to travel around the world to demand justice. If you are a sweet and gentle massage boy from Burma, you are garbage and don't deserve justice.

[ro2124]

>The Thai legal system has been discussed in another thread. It is corrupt from top to bottom

Well, yeah that applies to many countries. In 30 years of travel I have concluded 70-80% of police in the world are nothing but a bunch of criminals in uniform, with behavior ranging from minor corruption up to murder ....and some these crap countries are members of Interpol- what a sad joke!!
Well, I call it "Intercrook" these days.

But in general crime seems to be getting worse all over the world. Where I am at the moment Dominican R. its getting to the stage I am actually thinking of leaving as its getting too dangerous. First time ever I considered that in any country, but its just getting too dangerous, with robberies and murder of tourists becoming a frequent occurrence.

Always the same "modus operandi" ... two thugs on a motorbike the passenger is armed with knife or gun, they jump off demanding valuables, if you hesitate for a second or try to resist, they kill you on the spot!

That's the most disturbing thing really, the ease with which they kill. It seems to be the first option every time. And now it's not just happening at nights, of late several tourists have been murdered in broad daylight.
But beginning to understand why they seem to have no fear of the law and killing with such ease. Another murder here last week an elderly Canadian strangled to death in his apartment. They soon caught the two scum responsible and now it turns out one of them had killed before, but only served short sentence and now walking the streets again-unbelievable!

From what I have learned since this seems to be very common, they get long sentences in theory, but rarely serve more than 5 years, so no wonder they are ready to kill again when they come out.

Some if they have connections and money serve virtually no time at all and pay people off. Also it seems the government does not want too many people in prison as they are overcrowded and they can't afford to keep them all, so they let them go after a fairly short time- even for murder.
Apparently the only way to keep them in jail for a lengthy period, is if the victims family actually pay the government to keep them there, so they can feed them etc.
Christ, what a screwed up place where the victim's families have to pay the authorities to keep the murderers in jail! I am speechless ...but not surprised!
So despite the screwed up justice in Thailand, believe me it could be worse!

[arsenal]

It's actually very depressing how few countries are what most people would generally consider 'well run'.

[fountainhall]

Winston Churchill probably got it right when he said in the House of Commons in 1947 -

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…
Mind you, an 18th century Scottish judge summed it up this way -

Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse out of the public treasury.
In other words, democracy is a tyranny of the majority!