Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. In a 2012/13 New Year's Eve party Londoner Stephen Ashton, 22, was killed in a bar on Haad Rin beach on the Thai island of Koh Phangan - a resort where the FCO warns British travellers to beware "vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs". Yes, that is more than 10 years of moving around the globe, not staying in one place longer than 2-3 weeks mostly! Two Burmese bar workers were found guilty of their murders the following year and sentenced to death. Members of the mafia admitted to me, my gf and probably numerous others the owner of BAR, also a mafia member, killed them. More info here: Mother vs. vicious rapist. This island paradise is notorious for the unexplained deaths of people who visit there. Like during all your travels around the world the golden rule is: use common sense and when you feel something is not right then walk away from the situation! solve a crime that made global headlines . However, according to Rhys Bonney, an immigration adviser to expats in Thailand, the legality of the businesses are an extremely grey area. They are most likely willing to help out a stranger. Maybe if it was more common knowledge, the murders wouldn't have happened. Tips for Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur by Train | Worth it? But keep in mind that Koh Tao is NOT Bangkok. For example we'd always advise people to go home after Fishbowl, which shut at 2am. I dont believe well ever find out what happened to her. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Other than this they had no involvement on the island. If this Koh Tao blog about safety issues was helpful for your trip please pin it on Pinterest, share it in a Facebook Group or tweet it on Twitter. I lately traveled to Bangkok and saw marijuana stores everywhere. I know this because one of my closest friends, and my neighbour was with them when the murders happened. The attack happened on the popular small island of Koh Tao, which is known for its diving and lively bars. Yes, I have been there and yes I have smoked weed myself multiple times when traveling to Koh Tao. The family of Hannah Witheridge, a backpacker who was murdered in Thailand, have had their "hearts broken" by a second death. If it no longer meets these criteria, you can reassess it. On Koh Tao it meant a man living their life as a woman. He said autopsies to determine the cause of the deaths were expected in about two weeks. She had medication for a chest infection and was drinking, but the Thai police failed to investigate if the combination was sufficient to kill her.". Luke Miller, 24, from the UK. So let's look at the facts which I believe to be true. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Her family are suspicious. Christina, from Orpington, South East London, died shortly after arriving on Koh Tao. Nick Pearson, 25, from the UK. Its bright coral, sharks and rays bring in divers, hikers enjoy jungle walks and the bar scene 'rages on until dawn'. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . May be the significant drop in tourists because of the Corona pandemic in 2020 and 2021 made these taxi drivers charge more sane prices, but I doubt it. The teen's body was found seven days after the boating accident. At one point is was extremely hidden and out of nowhere it was out in the open, if you knew where to look. Nicola Gissing, who was also on holiday with Luke when he died, has claimed her friends death was no accident. Associate Professor Charnkanit Krittiya Suriyamanee, a criminologist and lecturer at the faculty of social science and humanities of Mahidol University, said he doubted the suicide theory citing some irrelevant evidences, according to Chiangrai Times. It mostly depends on how you behave yourself. And the pain felt by many of their loved ones has been made worse by suspicions of cover-ups in investigating their deaths and disappearances, and that powerful mafia families have tightened their grip on the island. Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed. Thai police arrest men accused of murdering Brits on Koh Tao Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were sentenced to death for the killings. The victims have been named by Thai authorities as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth,. The island became world news when two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were brutally murdered on the island in 2014. I know these people. UPDATE: Attempted murder by Thai diving instructor, Santi Khokpool in the Fishbowl Beach Bar, Koh Tao on 28-year-old British tourist on 15 August 2020. The young backpacker had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat, which neighboured the party island of Koh Phangan, in between travelling round Asia, for two years. Don't get dodgy boat tickets from street vendors. This bar also was the main hangout of the ladyboys. 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As the love for Koh Tao and Thailand is real, you might think I am biased writing this blog. They were all run by the book. Apologies in advance for spelling/grammar mistakes and rambling, typing this on my phone. If you would like to be prepared for your trip to Thailand then have a look at my guide telling you everything you need to know when you travel to Thailand: visas, safety issues, scams, the culture, things to do and things NOT to do, the best national parks, about the street food, the travel adapter you need, the vaccinations and many more things. "They may be feeling guilty for the crime they have done." The two Burmese men, identified as Saw and Win, were arrested last week and accused of killing David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the island of Koh Tao on 15 September. In case you've missed it. The crime's brutality amid Koh Tao's insular, backpacker charm caused an international sensation and threatened to further weaken a tourist industry already reeling from the military coup of. Prosecutors alleged that the double murder of Paul and Maggie was part of an effort by Murdaugh to gain sympathy and distract others from his significant financial crimes. She had also heard it was the owner of BAR who had killed them, from a separate source to mine. A corrupt police force was bribed by BARs owner/mafia to lay the blame on anyone else. In a statement following his hearing, James Gissing, who was in Thailand with Luke, said he felt police were covering up as it was the death of another foreigner on Koh Tao, referring to the Witheridge and Miller murders. This is not a specific safety tip for Koh Tao, but everywhere around the world. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. They lock them up in a BKK prison and torture them for a confession. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. Valentina was reported to have been visiting the island to go freediving an activity the area is famed for among backpackers. For example, Songkran is the Thai New Year. Thai police said a post-mortem examination showed he drowned. Any reasons to be worried? Scuba diving is the main tourist drag and when the scuba lessons are over the partying starts. of brutal murders during press conference today . My beloved Koh Tao felt it had lost its dignity. Or want to know the best hidden bays or a secret sunrise spot? The first is they had an intimate moment in public. In September 2014, the couple were found bludgeoned to death close to where they were staying. It was revealed yesterday that on April 28 Elise became the latest tourist found dead on the island of Koh Tao. The rest of the week, the island wasn't the same anymore. My passion to inspire other people to travel the world turned into a lifestyle. So how safe is Koh Taoi? Police ruled out foul play but his family believe he was murdered. A Scottish man is being kept in protective custody in Thailand after a photo he took . A number of possible reasons. Disturbingly, police on the island have said CCTV cameras at luxury Jamahkiri Resort and Spa werent working on the day the couple died, fuelling mystery around what happened to the wealthy pair. I In my time living on Koh Tao there were a lot of stories about spiking drinks. Yes go partying, get drunk, play beer-pong, drink buckets, get shit-faced but always make sure you are able to get home properly. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. They accuse Thai police of improperly collecting evidence at the crime scene, intimidation and abuse of witnesses and suspects which the police deny and not sharing key forensic evidence with the defence, a move they say seriously impedes a fair trial. Seeing a high ranking mafia member involved in a fight leads the other members to jump in. Alex was charged with Maggie and Paul's murders days after he was formally disbarred by the South Carolina Supreme Court. I drove to work and on the way saw a small crowd of people gathered to the side of BAR, on the beach. But no suicide note or message were recovered and Michele is desperate for information surrounding the mysterious death. Thai police say the man on the left matches the one seen acting suspiciously on CCTV. This appears to be a situation where the accused had been tortured to confess to the crimes, said lead defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said in a statement before the trial started. 5th Oct, 2014. Burmese migrant workers crossing the Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge in the bordertown Mae Sot, Thailand. She was fun, honest and loved life. With all due respect but I obviously have no idea how a small blonde girl would feel visiting Koh Tao. Then came a stumbling police investigation, speculation about a cover-up to protect a prominent local family, the alleged framing and torture of two young Burmese migrant workers, questions about the handling of key forensic evidence and the controversial observer role of Metropolitan Police officers alongside Thai investigators. Pool photo, 0130 exhibit 29 The second theory is they were giving abuse to the ladyboys in BAR. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Mr Sachathamakul's wife, Anshoo. In the end it was stated by the police that it was a tragic accident. and stay away from fighting with locals. He had not been questioned by police - even though officers had his name in their files. Their bodies were found floating in the resorts pool last Friday, just hours after they checked in. Fears over the safety of idyllic Koh Tao were heightened after the killings of Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014. With such incredible sunsets on the main party beach, the party starts early. This idyllic island in Thailand has long been popular with tourists for its pristine beaches, kaleidoscopic coral reefs and turquoise waters. The pictures, which News Corp Australia will not reproduce, were taken on the beach at Koh Tao, where the pair was hacked to death with a garden hoe, allegedly by two Burmese men who confessed to the bloody crime then withdrew their confessions. Add in everyone at BAR being on Meth and they took their anger out on them. Elise Dallemagne, 30, of Belgium. After visiting 100 countries by the end of 2019 I felt inspired to visit every country in the world. Almost every tourist that visits Koh Tao is not yet ready to leave at the end of their trip and sails away with mixed feelings: happy to have experienced this little paradise, but sad they have to go already! I understand that because I am a sporty and fit 1.86 meter (6'1) tall Dutch guy, I might not be the best benchmark for writing an article about how safe it is to travel to Koh Tao. Be a responsible tourist in the first place. Could this have happened on any other island in Thailand as well? The men, apprehended soon after the pair's bodies were found, initially confessed to the crime only to retract their statements amid claims they were extracted by torture. 8 Christina is one of the many young Brits to have died on the island Credit: Handout 8 It's pretty common knowledge that torture doesn't get you the truth, it gets you what you want to hear. The owner of BAR stepped in, fucked up on Meth. And its just claimed another two victims. A young backpacker has become the latest tourist found dead on Thailand's notorious 'death island', Tanote Bay in Koh Tao where a backpacker was found dead on April 27, Sairee beach where Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found bludgeoned to death, Chillingly, the death of Elise appears to have been suppressed by Thai authorities, Elise Dallemange, 30, here pictured with mum Michele, had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat, Elise had been travelling around Asia for the last two years, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in September 2014, Hannah is pictured (right) with her sister Laura, Luke Miller was found dead in a swimming pool in Koh Tao, Thai police have been accused by his family for not investigating the murder fully, Christina Annesley, 23, died on the island in January 2015, Christina's parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death, Nick Pearson's parents are convinced their son was murdered in Koh Tao, Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in March, She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16, Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island. The reason you didn't go there was because it was mafia ran and owned. I'm also not a great writer. Especially at night just always stay around other people. While most of the millions of tourists who flock to the island for its world-class scuba diving opportunities, lavish resorts and unending sunshine have the time of their lives, a disturbingly high number who visited the island never came home. I simply want to give you some more information about the safety issues in Thailand based on my personal experiences as I lived in Koh Tao and traveled around Thailand uncountable times since 2008. Why they would spout this information, I can only guess. The Thai population were the business owners. When asked why, we'd say, 'you just don't want to end up at BAR' . That said, it was my second time I lived in Koh Tao and it was the second time there had been a fatal incident. A Thai police officer who was called to the scene of the killing of two British tourists on Koh Tao island in September 2014 testified on Wednesday, the first of dozens of witnesses who will appear in court during a three-month trial of two Burmese men. Don't let your Thailand holiday be ruined by your own stupid mistakes! Something went wrong, please try again later. Phone records show that Elise called her mother on Skype on April 17 before leaving on a Ferry April 19 - but it is not known why she alighted on Koh Tao instead of continuing on to the mainland. But also to tell you that NO Koh Tao is not a murder island. Other witnesses to appear will be the doctor who determined the cause of death and a woman who first found the bodies. Investigators will consider whether the depth of the pool which was around 3m on one end may have led to the couples drowning. Now I'm aware in Western culture that word is a slur, but it isn't in Thailand. Dimitri Povse, 29, from France. These and more tips for a Thai domestic flight search in my latest Thailand travel blog, click on the link! Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, from the UK. About to rent a motorbike? Michele claims that Elise used a fake name of "Elise Dubuis" to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao as she travelled via the island on a ferry bound for Chumphon province on her route back to capital Bangkok. Police colonel Prachum Ruangthong said: "The man was chopped in the back and on the side of his head, while the woman was chopped in her face. Police claim two men have admitted killing backpackers on Koh Tao island . Hi! Should I really travel to Koh Tao? More photos here: Sue White after the attack. The couple tried to escape, hence their bodies being found a short distance away but were chased down, raped and murdered. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office has released photos of the Corbett home taken the night Jason Corbett was bludgeoned to death in his bedroom. Nick Pearson, from Derby, was found floating in the sea on New Year's Day 2014. Finally, it was an unspoken rule that we never revealed the shit going on the tourists never saw. I was never explicitly told to hold back this information but that was the vibe. Also, he noted that the several pieces of rope which were used in the suspected suicide appeared to be different which might suggest that the death was not caused by suicide. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo also known as Win Zaw Htun are 22-year-old bar and restaurant migrant workers from Burma. In the meantime, investigators have been piecing together the couples final moments before the tragedy. This search engine for Thailand transportation also shows you all the available options in one overview. The victims of the attack in Koh Tao have been named as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth and 24-year-old David Miller from Jersey. No staff were in the area when their deaths happened, Koh Tao police chief Kriangkrai Kraikaew said. Since I found out about 12Go Asia, traveling in Thailand become much more convenient. Island life is all about flip-flops, bathing suits and funny t-shirts, life is at low pace and many tourists smoke weed. Horrible stories from an island that is well known for its laid-back vibe! We all knew who had done it but the police were dragging their feet. I have now visited Koh Tao over 10 times and I have never had any problem at all!
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