[85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. I shall post a link to your podcast on my Facebook page. A Japanese high court approved Monday a posthumous retrial for a man who was convicted of murdering a 69-year-old woman in 1984 in western Japan, upholding a lower court's decision. ", The dad added that some of the witnesses they spoke to were "too frightened" to come forward which shows "how the culture is.". They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like, the prime minister said. Creepy There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. [38] Police entered the home the next day; only one of the men, Zaw Lin, was present. Some were murdered, some died in suspicious circumstances and some died in avoidable accidents. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. How are they ever going to get closure and justice if they dont know what happened? Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists battered to death on island The victims of the attack in Koh Tao have been named as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth. [94] She suggested using identification wristbands for tourists to improve safety, but the idea was quickly scrapped. Their explanations as to why these kids have died just dont add up- you dont have to be a pathologist or a doctor to know what weve been told is nonsensical.. Enterprise. He had entered the country on September 26, 2018, before traveling to the island, where stayed at the Monsoon Gym and Fight Club. We are like one big family, weve been through this journey for the past seven years together. The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. 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. Pol Lt Gen Thanate Pinmuangngam, acting chief of Police Region 8, said In the Dallemagne case, the cause of death was suffocation. The country's prime minister, who had been phoning the national police chief daily for updates on the investigation, said "this should not have happened at all, as it will affect Thailand in the eyes of the international community". The suspects however have withdrawn their confessions to the murders and claimed Thai police forced the admissions through torture. Friends and family remain suspicious of the police investigation and the insistence that Dimitri committed suicide, especially as his hands were tied behind his back. The two are charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, on . [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. [54] They argued that the defendants intended to kill Miller, using a hoe to hit him multiple times on the head. [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. [44] In December 2014, the suspects were each indicted on five charges: premeditated murder, killing to conceal a criminal offence, rape, illegal entry into Thailand, and staying in the country without permission. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. They suggested that she mixed antibiotics with alcohol- as much as that would make the antibiotics less efficient or make you feel bad, its not going to kill you. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. Rockefeller Audio 2022. While police claimed that she hanged herself, mystery surrounded her death, as it was revealed she used a fake name at the hostel she was staying. "Another one of my sons was there with him, he was absolutely distraught looking at the police just laughing at him. 2145/2559, "Two British tourists found dead on Thai island of Koh Tao", "Suspects in Thai Tourist Murders Face Dubious Trial", "Manhunt underway after brutal murder of 2 British tourists on Koh Tao", "Thailand's paradise island murder mystery", "What the Murder of Two British Tourists Tells Us About Thailand's Dark Side", "Thailand's Supreme Court upholds death penalty for men convicted of murdering British backpackers", "Koh Tao DNA evidence & international standards", "Thai court upholds death penalty for murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller", "Thailand backpacker murders: Burmese workers sentenced to death", "Thailand beach murders: A flawed and muddled investigation", "Koh Tao murders: DNA matches, confessions obtained, crime re-enacted", "Hearings Open Into Killings of Two British Tourists on Thai Island (Published 2014)", "Thai king commutes death sentence for Myanmar men in British tourist murder case", "Burmese men confess to killing British tourists on Koh Tao, Thai police say", "The Investigation Into Thailand's Backpacker Slayings Is Officially a Farce", "Migrants accused of murder of British couple in Thailand recant confessions", "Thai Dictator Faces Ire Over Murder Probe", "Koh Tao murder suspects plead not guilty", "Burmese pair to be executed for murder of British tourists on Koh Tao, Thailand", "2 Sentenced to Death in Killing of British Tourists in Thailand (Published 2015)", "Thailand murders: Two men found guilty and face death for UK killings", "Thai beach murders: Convicted men lose death sentence appeal", "Thai beach murders: Death sentence upheld by Supreme Court", "Backpacker's family 'grateful' for Thai king's clemency", "Koh Tao pair claim they were tortured before confessing", "Thai beach murders: DNA investigation into death of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller 'incompetent at best', "Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed", "Koh Tao's dark side: dangers of island where Britons were murdered", "Thai Paradise Gains Reputation as 'Death Island', "Foreign Office calls in Thai diplomat over murder inquiry concerns", "Thailand murder suspects can't have British police report: UK judge", "Thai officials on alert as Myanmar protests spread", "Prayut lashes out at Myanmar Koh Tao protestors", "Thailand's Migrant Worker Woes Exposed in Koh Tao Murder Case", "Govt vows "high-tech" defence against hackers", "Island killings prompt stiffer worker rules", "Contesting narratives: the Koh Tao tourists murders", "Unofficial translation of Koh Samui Provincial Court No. 8.4K views 2 years ago Dedication to 20 foreigners who died on Koh Tao. [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. Controversially, Surat Thani governor Auaychai Innak dismissed as untrue some foreign news reports which claimed reptiles had eaten half of Dallemagne's body. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The families are not satisfied with the investigation by the Thai authorities, Christina Annesley was found dead on the beach in January 2015, Thai authorities said Ben Harrington,32, died when he crashed during a moped ride, The families have not been satisfied with the investigation of the Thai authorities, Luke Miller was found dead at the bottom of a pool, Elise Dallemange was found dead in the jungle in Koh Tao, The Curse of the turtle was released earlier this month, Bernd Grotsch from Germany was found dead at his house in Koh Tao, Valentina Novozhyonova vanished from her hostel, Suzanne Buchanan is determined to find out the truth about Koh Tao, Our kids all died on Koh Tao death island cops claim they were accidents but we think they were MURDERED, Headteacher sacked 'after sending parents a list of striking teachers' as school launches probe, Isle of Innisfree ferry: Blaze breaks out on boat carrying 183 people in English Channel as lifeboats scramble to scene. Doubts lingered over the conviction of two migrant Burmese workers for the rape and murders, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). [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. Bernd's cousin Christina said: ''We cannot accept what the Thai authorities on the island are telling us. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. The Koh Samui Provincial Court has set 24 December as the date to deliver its judgement on two Myanmar men, Zaw Lin and Zaw Ein Htun (aka Wai Phyo), who are accused of murdering two British tourists on Thailand's Koh Tao Island on September 15 last year. The trial provided an obvious example of Scientific Fraud being used to convict two scapegoats. Zaw Lin was not convicted of this charge because he held a work permit for the two years preceding the murders. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. [63] They plead not guilty to the charge at the trial, but Wai Phyo changed his plea to guilty during the proceedings. [95] The mayor of the island, Chaiyan Turasakul, announced a new police station and staffed it with 40 full-time officers, compared to five previously. [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. Thailand is one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations with around 35 million visitors each year and promotes itself as the Land of Smiles. The government is sensitive to criticism that could undermine the countrys reputation. Read about our approach to external linking. Nick Pearson 2014; And at least six young Brits have all died in suspicious circumstances on the small island of Koh Tao, leading their loved ones to label it "Death Island". Today, we have gotten rid of them.. In accepting the 2nd retrial plea, sought by the family of Hiromu Sakahara, who died of illness aged 75 while serving his term in 2011, the Osaka High Court said . Two migrant workers from Myanmar on death row for the 2014 murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao have had their sentences commuted to life in . 92 Visitor. The past three weeks have been unimaginably difficult and there are no words that can adequately describe the heartache and despair that our family is experiencing. Photographs of the bodies have been circulating on the internet. What really happened there? Create an account. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. It doesn't necessarily mean they are transgender, or that they are doing drag, they just live as women. 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. The second man, Wai Phyo,[a] was believed to have left the island by boat the previous night. It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of his daughter's body were shown on the third day of the trial of Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. Police received the initial report at 4.45pm on Friday. Koh Tao, Thailand, Serial killers, Unexplained murders WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. Date: July 24, 2022. [77], An opinion piece in Bangkok Post wrote that "practically no one believes [Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo] really brutally murdered English tourists", adding "in Thai media of all kinds, the consensus is that Win and Zaw Lin are scapegoats. A 28-year-old British guy. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. DNA was collected from these three areas and sent to a police forensics lab for analysis. Khao San Lomprayah - 2100 arrives Koh Tao 0845 > check prices for Bangkok to Koha Tao night bus and ferry and book now. Shared On: 28th Dec, 2022. Their bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. At the time rumours of secret CCTV footage, inconclusive blood samples and a mysterious Swedish man, made Christinas dad suspicious. The prosecution says a DNA match between samples found on Miss Witheridge's body and the two defendants is central to its case. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. The investigation of the Witheridge and Miller slayings was widely criticized as the crime scene was not properly secured, and questions were also raised about subsequent DNA testing. The father of murdered British backpacker Hannah Witheridge has wept as graphic photos of her body lying on a Thai beach were shown in court. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. I should add that I was not representing the accused men so I am not presenting arguments on their behalf in any lawyer/client relationship. [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. He originally moved to the island in the late 1990s but left in 2016 after becoming frustrated with the corruption and hostility towards foreign business owners. CONFESSION WITHDRAWN: Burmese suspect claims he was beaten, tortured by police. Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. [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. Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop on New Years Day 2014. Find the perfect koh tao murder stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Elise Dallemagne 2017; While his death was ruled as suicide cops could not explain why his hands are tied behind his back. UK reporter Suzanne Buchanan has thoroughly investigated the cases alongside the deaths of Belgian Elise Dellemange, Swiss Hans Peter Suter and French Dimitri Povse -who also were also found dead under mysterious circumstances. The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. Police on the resort island of Koh Tao are investigation the drowning death of a wealth business man and his wife. Available for both RF and RM licensing. She added: The families of all the victims are not happy with the police reports, autopsy reports in Thailand dont match autopsy reports in the UK. Police concluded she wanted to break a deep-diving record at more than 24 meters. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. "[56] Attempts to appeal the sentence to the High Court in 2017 were unsuccessful. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. "So my suspicions are that it was a mugging that went wrong. Hannah Witheridge 2014; Post-mortems found that Hannah had died from head wounds, while engineering student Mr Miller suffered severe blows to his head and drowned. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. [51] This decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights Group, one of the observers at the trial. [52] The suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. I am a legal practitioner in Perth, Western Australia who has been following events on Koh Tao very closely since the time of the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on 15 September 2014. 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. On 15 September, the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on Sairee Beach on the island of Koh Tao, between 4 and 5 am, a few hours after their deaths. [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". I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. Staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. A woman Povse had been interested in said he had called her twice on the phone that night but she had not picked up because she had been asleep. However, no toxicology report was conducted. I was told on more than one occasion that I needed to take down this stuff from the paper. [48][35] A 900-page police report was produced to guide the prosecution's case, but the defence were not allowed to see the report until the trial began. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. The two men deny murdering Miss Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey. 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. However, a lawyer for Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo told the BBC that the pair had not admitted their guilt when their death sentences were commuted. June 6, 2021. Pathologist Dr. Michael Biggs told the hearing that there were many injuries on Nick's body, including to the head, limbs, and face. 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. The last known video footage of the Russian woman showed her walking to Chaloke Hin Kao bay and never coming back. They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. It leaves Khao San Songserm at either 1800 or 1900. DESPITE its flawless beaches and crystal seas, Thailand has earned a deadly reputation after 60 Brits died there between 2014 and 2016 alone. Owner of Martin Totland Freelance LLC, specializing in event photography, freelance journalism, and Norwegian . 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. 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.. [51][21] The trial was attended by external observers, including representatives from Amnesty International and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. [58] Ostensibly, Wai Phyo changed jobs at the end of September and was travelling by boat to Surat Thani for his new job on the day he was arrested. Valentina Novozhenova 2017; "They said they were going to cremate him the next day - I had to call the Home Office to stop the cremation. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaq Htun, both 21, have been accused of murdering the two backpackers and of raping Hannah. Lightboxes. 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. Bergen Area, Norway. Get latest News Information, Articles on Thailand Vs Indonesia Odi Live Streaming Updated on December 27, 2018 19:20 with exclusive Pictures, photos & videos on Thailand Vs Indonesia Odi Live Streaming at Latestly.com - Page 18 Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thai. "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/03/world/asia/thailand-koh-tao-death-island.html#:~:text=But%20among%20some%20foreigners%2C%20Koh,began%20calling%20it%20Death%20Island.&text=She%20accused%20the%20police%20of,up%20crime%20on%20the%20island. The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. They believed he had accidentally drowned and he was thought to have been dead for around 12 hours when his body was retrieved. [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. Through their own investigation, and talking to witnesses Mr. Annesley discovered that the room where his daughter was staying was given to someone else "three hours after her body was taken. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. A great number of Western backpackers have died under unexplained circumstances on this tiny tropical island in the past years. [21][73], The death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment on 14 August 2020 following a royal decree to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday and "illustrate the king's clemency". But many cases appear very suspicious according to family members and insufficiently investigated. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. Bernd Grotsch 2017; Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Six weeks on . To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. Top Kurunegala Forests: See reviews and photos of Forests in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. 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.

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