They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had some stern words for China over any role it might play in the war in Ukraine. However, at that time I was already aware of other tourist deaths on the island. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. How long have Keir Starmer and Sue Gray been secretly cooking up their plot? Are there serial killers operating on the island, with their crimes apparently insufficiently investigated so that the tourist industry remains protected? I was told on more than one occasion that I needed to take down this stuff from the paper. Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. Koh Tao is in the Chumphon Archipelago. He also had given no indications before his death, that he had suicidal thoughts. Hannah Witheridge 2014; It will take a bit of time to find loopholes to appeal. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; [15], Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo retracted their statements following a visit from a consular lawyer for Myanmar and said they had made their statements under duress, after they had allegedly been beaten, left naked in a freezing room, and threatened with electrocution and an extrajudicial killing. It is always challenging to bring ACCURATE & RELIABLE information about violent crime on Koh Tao because too many people are frightened to speak out publicly and still others try to SHOOT THE MESSENGERS . Aug 2014 - Dec 20217 years 5 months. Her mother, Michele claimed that Elise used a fake name of 'Elise Dubuis' to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. Photographs of the bodies have been circulating on the internet. My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. Hanspeter Suter 2014; A backpacker from Belgium, Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanged in the hillson the island on April 28, 2017. But, he said that most of these would have been present prior to his death, although he could not completely rule out the possibility that Nick had been attacked. Silje Mathisen 2014; The trial provided an obvious example of Scientific Fraud being used to convict two scapegoats. The following month Russian Valentina Novozhyonova, 23,vanished from her hostel sparking a police search. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Our kids all died on Koh Tao 'death island' - cops claim they were accidents but we think they were MURDERED Aliki Kraterou Published: 13:58, 19 Mar 2022 Updated: 15:34, 19 Mar 2022 The. The island off the Surat Thani province coast has gained notoriety after a string of suspicious and sensationalised deaths over the years. [7] Witheridge had completed undergraduate studies in education at the University of East Anglia and had started post-graduate studies in speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. Get latest News Information, Articles on Thailand Vs Indonesia Live Streaming Updated on December 27, 2018 19:20 with exclusive Pictures, photos & videos on Thailand Vs Indonesia Live Streaming at Latestly.com - Page 18 BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher said Miss Witheridge's father and brother sat with their heads bowed as the evidence was presented in court but continued listening. [7][12], Miller and Witheridge were last seen at a bar called AC Bar[13] with friends at a party on Sunday night with around 50 people mostly foreign tourists before they left together after 1am. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Mr Sachathamakul's wife, Anshoo. "They said they were going to cremate him the next day - I had to call the Home Office to stop the cremation. The reporter was forced to leave the country she lived in for 20 years after Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant accusing her of publishing false information and violating the computer crime law.. Luke Miller 2016; [35][84] Despite not initially being permitted to assist with the investigation,[33] British police observers including homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police and a forensics expert were eventually permitted into Thailand to observe the investigation. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. 2023 BBC. [1] After initially failing to find a match to one of the migrant workers, the police focused their attention on Western tourists related to the victims. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. British Bricklayer Luke Miller, 26, was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at the Sunset Bar at Sairee Beach on January 6, 2016. "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. The two men deny murdering Miss Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey. Defence lawyers had asked for the samples to be independently verified but have now been told there is nothing left of them to re-test. If you are interested, I have further information on my social media accounts. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. Or is Koh Tao just unlucky for visitors or is there something more sinister happening on the beautiful Thai island and haven for Scuba divers? The murders on Koh Tao, a laid-back haven for divers, sullied Thailand's image in the tourism industry, which accounts for about 10 per cent of the country's economy. [51][21] The trial was attended by external observers, including representatives from Amnesty International and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Buchanan told the Sun Online: They all died in really mysterious circumstances- the Thai version of Christina Annesleys death was that she died of natural causes, she's 23! Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop by scuba divers in the sea after he disappeared following a night out with his family on New Year's Eve. Date: July 24, 2022. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); After unsuccessfully trying to find their possessions, they walked towards Mau Mau's house through the shortcut, which resulted in them being caught on CCTV. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . 1. Nick's father, Graham, had been the last person to see him when he walked with his son back to where the family was staying. Thai police are investigating their deaths as . [67][21][68] The conviction was primarily guided by the DNA evidence,[67][69] and the court said it did not consider their confessions in making the judgement. 92 Visitor. In pictures: Thailand beach murders Show all 12 It has also been claimed that vital DNA evidence linking the two suspects to the death of Miss Witheridge no longer exists - so cannot be retested.. "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". By. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaq Htun, both 21, have been accused of murdering the two backpackers and of raping Hannah. ", The dad added that some of the witnesses they spoke to were "too frightened" to come forward which shows "how the culture is.". Samyak Choudhary; and Read about our approach to external linking. They claim they did not receive an autopsy report and say his body was sent against their wishes to the same Bangkok hospital that carried out botched reports on the bodies of two Brits murdered on the same island in 2014. [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. [76], The International Commission of Jurists said "the defense must be afforded adequate time and facilities to explore whether the alleged destruction of evidence in this case was appropriate and unavoidable, and to test the prosecution case overall." Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. [34][35], According to the prosecution in the subsequent case, CCTV footage analysed by the police showed three individuals riding a motorcycle to 7-Eleven, where they bought beer and cigarettes, before going towards Sairee Beach. [1], A defence team from Bangkok, composed of nearly 20 lawyers, were only permitted half an hour to meet the men; a request by the defence to delay the hearing and allow more time to prepare was denied by a judge at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. [1][15][21], During an hours-long interrogation, during which the police used Burmese food vendors as interpreters[35] because the pair could not speak Thai,[41] the suspects confessed to the murders. [42][48] Amnesty International stated that Thailand "must initiate an independent, effective and transparent investigation into mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment by police". These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. Only if they are not beautiful. He later apologized, saying that he meant only that foreign visitors should be careful. 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of . I have created a Facebook page and a YouTube channel dedicated to looking into tourist deaths on Koh Tao. The hearing was told that a post-mortem examination in Thailand showed that Mr Miller had a number of small bruises on his face and legs and gave a cause of death of head injuries and drowning. Many raised concerns that contamination cast doubt upon the forensic evidence: officials, journalists and tourists were seen walking around the crime scene, and Thai police did not use trained or independent specialists to collect forensic evidence. [20] Both bodies were found semi-naked;[21] a pile of clothes was found nearby. Two of the victims were dismembered and disposed of in plastic bags. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. [31] Media reports speculated that was because the defence was wary of calling on foreign experts fearing it could appear as undermining the Thai justice system, and could bias the judges against their case. In 2018 in Cancn alone, there were 540 murders. The evidence in the form of this Unendorsed Report would have been ruled as inadmissible in US courts and other Western courts. A member of staff told police he heard four to five cries of someone in shock approximately 10 minutes . Book Koh Tao Cabana, Koh Tao on Tripadvisor: See 884 traveller reviews, 2,154 candid photos, and great deals for Koh Tao Cabana, ranked #14 of 194 hotels in Koh Tao and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. A UK autopsy later revealedBen died of a transected aorta a rupture of the bodys largest artery rather than a broken neck. In fact, during one 36-hour spell in April last year, nine people were murdered there. [92], Thailand's government became concerned the murders may affect tourism to the country. [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. [30] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission said "the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the two Myanmar workers were dubious, leading to impressions the suspects were not aware of their rights and that justice had not been done". [1][96], Although tourist arrivals to Koh Tao dropped in the months immediately following the murders, there was little lasting effect on tourism to the island.[92]. Only if they are not beautiful." There have been suspicious reports of hand-sized bruises found on Lukes shoulders. [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". [6] Miller had just completed his undergraduate degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds and was starting a masters degree. There were no signs he was suicidal. Koh Tao murders 1 language Sairee Beach The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. Speaking at the court, Mr Miller's father Ian said he and his wife Sue had come "with an open mind", adding that it had been an emotional time for the family. [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. She was dedicated, ambitious and would have made an amazing difference to the lives of many families through her chosen career as a Speech and Language Therapist. Why are the police not thoroughly investigating, why are they changing facts? Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. He started another business in neighboring island Koh Phayam before returning in March 2018 to "tie up loose ends". A great number of Western backpackers have died under unexplained circumstances on this tiny tropical island in the past years. The police quickly closed the inquiry, stating that he had drowned whilst swimming. While his death was ruled as suicide cops could not explain why his hands are tied behind his back. Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Sutheerakhun, director of the Institute of Forensic Science at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, said There were wounds around the neck due to the hanging and some non-fatal bruises in the head, and no drugs were found in the body. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. Yearly, many professional photographers visit this lodge to capture herds of elephants crossing the dry lake in search of water . It has over 100 hotels and resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. At least eleven European tourists have died or disappeared there since 2014 and it is now described as Death Island or Murder Island. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. [72] The Supreme Court of Thailand upheld the sentence in August 2019, stating that the police handled the case correctly and the forensic evidence was "clear, credible, and detailed". The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. See the latest list of Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30320196. [11] The two met in Koh Tao while staying at the same hotel. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. A coroner ruled in 2017 said that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered. [1][11][18] A bloody hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, and a wooden club were found near the bodies,[19][4][14] along with three cigarette butts and a used condom. Attempts to appeal the sentence failed, but a royal decree was issued by King Vajiralongkorn in 2020 commuting the death sentences to life imprisonment. The mum of Ben Harrington Pat was never convinced by the local police's explanation that her 32-year-old son broke his neck when he crashed into an electricity pylon on a night-time moped ride in August 2012. About Nick Pearson they said he fell out of his bungalow and ended up drowning in the ocean. They weren't looked down upon or treated poorly at all. [71], A lawyer for the men, Nakhon Chomphuchat, said "we will appeal as soon as we can, we have just got a copy of the court's verdict. [42][43] The police said the suspects' DNA matched a sample of semen taken from Witheridge's body, and to the hoe and cigarette butts found near the body. Police received the initial report at 4.45pm on Friday. Pathologists and legal experts criticised the police for mishandling the evidence, allowing contamination of the crime scene and failing to use experts to collect forensic evidence. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to ask that Hannah be allowed a well-deserved day of privacy on Friday whilst we join her many friends in a celebration of her life.. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. It followed her reporting on the case of a British girl who was allegedly raped on the same beach. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. There were apparently no signs of robbery or attack in the room at the hotel where Alexandr had been staying. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [1] Receiving half a million visitors each year,[1] Koh Tao is especially popular with backpackers and known for its marine life and scuba diving. "We identified a person who was with her last and they didn't follow up with them- then we asked for a blood sample and they delayed. His family accused the Thai police of a cover-up. Aran Klaewklong, a security guard from Big Blue Diving shop, told police he found a mobile phone, clothes, a hotel key, shoes and an ID on the beach at 1.30 am during a beach patrol. [4][11][14] Their bodies were discovered on Sairee Beach a few hours later, between 4 and 5am, by a mute Burmese beach cleaner. Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. The university graduate, who was two weeks into a four-month backpacking trip round South East Asia, was found dead on her bungalow in January 2015. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. A mistake that many forensic experts say jeopardized the entire investigation.Throughout the investigation and criminal trial, the Thai government and police were heavily criticized by human rights organizations, legal experts, and the media. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). Christina Annesley 2015; Resting in the Gulf of Thailand, a two-hour ferry ride north of Koh Samui, Koh Tao is best known for its incredible marine life, which over the years has attracted a small but buoyant expat. A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". Hannah was also raped in the attack. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. Thailands prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, questioned the attire and behavior of foreign female tourists shortly after the killing of two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the island in 2014. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday.
Wrist Brachial Index Interpretation,
Scott Mckay Patriot Street Fighter 4,
Articles K
