Another shocking tourist death

[BobHelm]

I don't think that he was banned from here.
Just that his posts, permanently, had to be approved before they appeared to other. reasonable, members.

But, I may be wrong on that score...

[GT93]

Perhaps that's the same as being banned? Could Turdyboy make a reasonable post? That'd be a bit too much like doing homework (i.e. no fun) for him. How are you going turdy boy? Enjoying the naughty boys' room?

Come on. Try and make a reasonable post about the Thais. Wonderful people. My Mrs. is Thai as are my great in-laws.

[marjamlew]

According to Andy Hall's twitter feed the prosecutors are ready to go tomorrow afternoon.

[jackspratt]

Another "twist" to this happy story. Bear in mind the families' statements have been released via the UK Foreign Office.

The families of two British tourists murdered in Thailand say evidence against two Myanmar migrants accused of the crime is convincing, in statements supportive of a much-criticised police investigation.

Migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun are accused of murdering 24-year-old David Miller and raping and murdering Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the Thai diving resort of Koh Tao in September.

The defendants, both aged 21, are due to enter a plea in the trial on Monday, according to prosecutors on the island of Koh Samui where the case will be heard.

In statements released through Britain's Foreign Office, the victims' families said they had seen strong evidence against the suspects and expressed confidence in the case.

"There is a great deal of detail and vast areas of investigative work which has been shared with us," Hannah Witheridge's family said in a statement.

"We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes."...................

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-06/b ... ng/5949000

There could be a large serving of humble pie being shared widely in many quarters if the above confidence is soundly based.

[GT93]

Wow. Yes it looks like humble pie isn't yet off the menu. That's a big development.

[jackspratt]

I have just noticed an unintended error in my post above.

In the first line, I meant to write "unhappy", rather than happy.

Sorry about that.

[Aardvark]

Don't do it again

[sgt]

They just signed the death warrant for 2 innocent men. I don't mean to demean, I know nothing about the families, but if that had been one of my children I would have been here from the git-go and I would see "justice" served.

[Barney]

I truly hope justice is served here but this seems wrong for the media to go public and use the family statements which would be highly emotional and looking for closure to virtually say that they are guilty on most likely partial evidence. They cannot possibly have seen all the evidence. The TRP must be rubbing their hands now looking to have been vindicated, case closed.
Don't get me wrong if these guys did it then so long but let it run its due course.

[jackspratt]

Don't do it again

OK dad.

[jackspratt]

This is the statement from the Witheridge family, which seems to fall somewhat short (in terms of directness) of the report I have linked to above:

UK detectives travelled to Thailand last month to “observe and review” the murder case of our precious Daughter Hannah, and also that of David Miller. We would like to thank the officers who travelled to Thailand to review the case and the Royal Thai Police for facilitating their visit.

Since their return we have been able to meet with these officers together with our family liaison officers to learn about the investigation. There is a great deal of detail and vast areas of investigative work which has been shared with us. We respect the need for such detail not to be shared publically before Royal Thai Police start their trial process.

We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes and want to remind both press and public that they do not have the full facts to report and make comment on at this stage. Current news reporting is causing undue distress to our family.

We ask as a family, as we have throughout, that we are afforded privacy and that Hannah and David are afforded their dignity during this time of immense pain and difficulty.

Our thoughts, as always, are with the Miller family. Together we stand united and focused on seeing a fair and transparent trial process to bring about justice for our beautiful children.

– The family of Hannah Witheridge

http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2 ... stigation/

According to the linked report, however, it seems to be the Miller family (whose statement I have not seen) which is making the stronger criticism regarding speculation. I guess their statement will come out in due course.

[marjamlew]

Statement from the family of David Miller
We would like to express our relief that progress is being made in Thailand and this case is finally coming to court.
We would like to reiterate our gratitude to the UK Metropolitan Police, who received the co-operation of the Royal Thai Police in undertaking an independent review into the investigation.
The evidence collected by the Royal Thai police will be presented at court and we hope the suspects are granted a fair and transparent trial. We are thankful of the over-sight of pressure groups such as Reprieve and Amnesty.
In the meantime however, we ask that the speculative theories circulating on social media are not taken as fact. These interpretations are based on incomplete evidence and substantial conjecture.
The increasing sensationalism of this story in the media is emotionally hurtful to us and appears to be wide of the mark.
The support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal, but please do not jump to conclusions until you have considered the evidence from both sides in full.
From what we have seen, the suspects have a difficult case to answer. The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing. They must respond to these charges, and their arguments must be considered with the same scrutiny as those of the prosecution.
Please remember that this is above all a story of two wonderful young people, David and Hannah, killed in the prime of their lives in a senseless and brutal way.
Further speculation should be put aside until all the evidence is made public and appropriate conclusions can be drawn.
We remain united with the Witheridge family in our shared grief.
Ian Sue and Michael Miller
Note to Editors
1. The family request privacy and no direct contact from the media at this time.
Newsdesk
Media Office l Foreign and Commonwealth Office

[GT93]

I'm still inclined to the view that it's a fit up but I'll just have to wait until I know more about the evidence. I'd put zero weight on statements that the defendants allegedly made to the police.

[jai yen yen]

A confession attained by beating a suspect is not evidence and from what i have seen the dna evidence is suspect as well. What else could they have for evidence? There are no witness's.

[sgt]

My concern is why did the parents release statements like these? I can think of several reasons, but......? I don't believe the English cops sent over here believe what was presented to them by the Thai "police". All cops aren't stupid.

[Bonanza]

[quote= From what we have seen, the suspects have a difficult case to answer. The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing................................................... speculation should be put aside until all the evidence is made public and appropriate conclusions can be drawn.[/quote]

Strange to have these two sentences in their statement. Shouldn't we await the outcome of the trial?

[pomps]

Cannot find in the RTP vocabulary "witness protection program" that we would have in the West so the defence team will just have to go through the motions in a Thai court and as they have said they have not been given the full evidence against their clients to counter the prosecution.
Will the defence have access to a dna specialist to dispel the findings
OK will wait and see

[marjamlew]

From http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/

Government to pay Koh Tao defence witness expenses
Published on Saturday, 20 December 2014 21:26
Tweet
The Myanmar government has agreed to provide security and expenses in Thailand for the main defence witnesses of the accused Myanmar migrant workers in the Koh Tao murder case, said the embassy investigation team.

“We can’t designate that every witness is important. Their testimony should take affect over the case. If we have that kind of witness, we can ask the government to provide security and expenses,” said lawyer Aung Myo Than.

On December 19, the Myanmar Embassy’s SPECIAL investigation team and the representatives of the Upper House met at the branch office of the parliament in Yangon. The investigation team asked for help and the Upper House’s representatives agreed, said the lawyer.

They agreed to provide security and pay the expenses of the witnesses while they are living in Thailand, to send government attorneys for the legal issues and to provide more assistance to find the witnesses.

At present, the investigation team is finding workers who returned recently from Thailand to stand as witnesses in the Koh Tao murder case. However, some Myanmar migrants from Koh Tao were afraid to stand as witnesses, he said.

“Five Myanmar workers returning from Thailand came from Koh Tao. Thailand told witnesses to stay away from the case and bribed them not to make TELEPHONE conversations. That’s why some workers are afraid to testify,” said Aung Myo Than.

[Barney]

With the roll out of ASEAN '15 in the region, where, in the future potentially 1000's of cross border trips will be taken by skilled workforces from all countries that the rights and protection of individuals has been addressed in the policies to alleviate exactly what has happened. But being SE Asia it will probably be attempted to be rectified after the fact.
Not just talking about people coming to Thailand but all countries being aligned, as ASEAN '15, is supposed to promote a better deal for all.

[Aardvark]

I'm not sure if this is good or Bad ..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/4 ... h-tao-pair