Be a responsible tourist in the first place. Also, a documentary here: Surviving Evil: Wolves at the Door Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. There are three theories, nobody ever got an answer to which is correct and mostly like it's a combination. Mr Puridech said there were no signs of struggle at the scene and an early examination of the bodies did not suggest foul play. With all due respect but I obviously have no idea how a small blonde girl would feel visiting Koh Tao. There are amazing hiking trails and viewpoints in Koh Tao, it is one of best scuba diving destinations in the worldand there are many more othercool things to do in Koh Tao. People from India and China died, mostly drowning, every day and no one gave a shit. Pool photo, 0130 exhibit 29 The reason people went to that bar is it was still open after everywhere else shut. She is still missing. Michelle, who says the death would have gone unnoticed if not for her public appeal for help, said: "I do not believe what the police have told us. Thailand's Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for two Burmese migrant workers convicted of murdering two British backpackers on a Thai resort island in 2014. One of them was at the scene and I went to talk to him. 5th Oct, 2014. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Who instigated the violence first will never be known and doesn't really matter. On Thursday the 29 th of August 2019, the Supreme Court of Thailand handed down its decision to uphold the death penalties for Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, the Burmese migrant workers found guilty of the rape and murder of British holidaymaker Hannah Witheridge and the murder of fellow countryman David Miller in September 2014 on Koh Tao in Thailand. RME8CHF9 - Mae Sot, Thailand. Posted on December 5, 2021. Metropolitan police detectives were sent to Thailand in 2014 to look over the case and report back to officials and the families. Still in doubt whether to travel to Philippines or Thailand? Around 10k people on the island with only 3 corrupt police officers. After weeks of investigations, Thai Police have arrested three Burmese man in relation to the murder of two British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the holiday island of Koh Tao.The Burmese migrant worker community is on high . I lately traveled to Bangkok and saw marijuana stores everywhere. . One of the first famous crime scene photos was taken on May 5, 1903, in the home of a Parisian woman named Madame Debeinche who had been murdered. Check out my Traveltomtom Group Trip page for one of the exciting upcoming group trips. "The embassy are urgently seeking information from the local authorities and consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to friends and family at this tragic time.". On Thursday, the New York District Attorney released crime scene photos showing blood spatter and the knife allegedly used by nanny Yoselyn Ortega to kill two young children in her care. Besides that, islands are like small communities and they all know each other. They have been charged with premeditated murder, among other crimes, and could face execution. Even now that in 2023 things have drastically changed and that weed and smoking marijuana is pretty much decriminalised in Thailand, it still is a grey area. I have never seen anyone running around with a gun on the island or heard stories that they knock on your door for a share of your business. The photographer focused on a few key details, like a tilted painting on the wall, disheveled . After visiting 100 countries by the end of 2019 I felt inspired to visit every country in the world. I get home at 3ish and my gf and best friend are in our 'house'. Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed. While traveling to Koh Tao lately I was in such a good mood and surrounded by good vibes that I forgot about its dark past. The two people killed were Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Something went wrong, please try again later. The family of some of the deceased - including three more Brits - have accused local cops of not investigating the deaths of their loved ones. Different place, different rules. Questions surround her death. . These and more tips for a Thai domestic flight search in my latest Thailand travel blog, click on the link! Aug 10, 2017. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. If you are a solo traveler, taxi drivers will most likely rip you off. The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! The Burmese men initially admitted to the murder of Miller, who suffered head injuries and drowned in shallow water, and the rape and murder of Witheridge, who died from severe head injuries. I think one, or both of them said or did something discriminatory to a ladyboy. 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. The 25-year-old's mum Tracey told a documentary about the island she would warn parents not to allow their children to travel to the island. Stay safe and always take a taxi at night. The 23-year-old had tweeted this picture on Monday, revealing she was on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand 'I have found an affordable bungalow to move to. PHOTO: More information is coming out about the deaths of the billionaire couple in a Koh Tao pool. He had not been questioned by police - even though officers had his name in their files. It was obvious to us what was happening, they'd been bribed by the mafia. In Thailand every business needs to be majority owned by a Thai, usually they owned 51%. A British man was found dead on Thailand 's notorious Koh Tao - also known as Death Island - on Wednesday. They weren't looked down upon or treated poorly at all. Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo arrive at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. On the 29th of August 2019 the Thai supreme court upheld the death sentence for the two Burmese men who allegedly are guilty for the Koh Tao Murders which happened on my birthday September 15th in 2014. For example, Songkran is the Thai New Year. Elise's heartbroken mother, Michele van Egten, has now proclaimed she does not believe police account of events. Click on the picture to read all about it. But her parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death. At one point is was extremely hidden and out of nowhere it was out in the open, if you knew where to look. Burmese migrant workers crossing the Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge in the bordertown Mae Sot, Thailand. Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island on New Year's Day 2015 and his death was ruled as suicide despite his hands being tied behind his back. She has no reason to lie about it. In March 2015, she vanished from her hostel, with her mobile phone, passport and camera left behind. The couple were Thai-Indian nationals Rakeshwar Sachathamakul, 59, and his wife Anshoo, 55. He was unaware he was arguing with members of the mafia who are all on Meth and got violent with them. Photographs appear to show the mobile phone of Hannah Witheridge submitted to police by her friends, despite police claims it was found in one of their suspect's possession. Although I was living on the island at the times of the murders and even celebrating my birthday on the same beach a couple hours before the Koh Tao Murders happened, I never ran into any issue on the island ever. Apparently, she's also known as "Verna White". Some Koh Tao travel blogs tell you that prices depend on your haggling skills. It mostly depends on how you behave yourself. Police ruled his death a suicide but couldnt explain why his hands were tied behind his back. She said: "I would tell them to do everything in their power to stop them going. If you can improve it further, please do so. Now Im really suspicious, her father Boyce Annesley previously told news.com.au. I dont believe well ever find out what happened to her. This time was different. Yes I know that drinking and driving is totally accepted in Koh Tao, but try to not be one of those diving class students that show up in the morning all bruised because they fell off their motorbike driving drunk back home. Koh Tao, Thailand | Photo by Valeriy Ryasnyanskiy on Unsplash Some of the deaths which have sparked debate as to whether or not the missing and murder cases were investigated properly, include the death of Dimitri Povse. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. What's so unbelievable about all of this is that Archie actually convinced a group of friends that killing 7 people would bring baby Craig back from the dead! He also had to track down a man seen on surveillance footage leaving his daughter's flat hours before she was discovered. The rest were mafia. You never know who you are up to, dont let a small issue ruin your holiday. Koh Tao is an amazing place to enjoy your holiday and you should be totally fine! 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! Unfortunately a lot of motorbike accidents happen on the island and it sincerely is a Koh Tao safety issue. The story is, they had met at the previous bar and wanted 1 more drink before heading back to a hotel. Since I found out about 12Go Asia, traveling in Thailand become much more convenient. Two Myanmar workers on Thursday lost their final appeal against the death penalty for the 2014 murder of a . Have you ever watched Big Brother and after a week, people are acting like best mates and saying I love you to people? I am Tom an avid adventure traveler from The Netherlands. Will Koh Tao ever be able to get rid of that negative image? Last modified on Wed 29 Nov 2017 09.56 EST 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,. Investigators were checking CCTV from local bars and restaurants and it was reported people were prevented from leaving the island. CAUTION, CRIME SCENE PHOTOS! The first is they had an intimate moment in public. Use common sense and stay out of trouble in the first place! A 198 page appeal on behalf of the accused Burmese defendants in the Koh Tao murder trial has been filed with the Region 8 Court of Appeals on Koh Samui, Thailand. Two Burmese men, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, were arrested over the crime. This article is of interest to the following WikiProjects : This page is a joke. My passion to inspire other people to travel the world turned into a lifestyle. The Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of two British nationals on September 15 on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. The owner of BAR stepped in, fucked up on Meth. These are the first pictures of the British tourists murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand. What really happened there? 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. They were escorted into the court by police, shackled hands to feet by chains. But remember you are still in Thailand! Nicola Gissing, who was also on holiday with Luke when he died, has claimed her friends death was no accident. Any reasons to be worried? David handed over the equivalent of $25-30 for drinks worth no more than $5. Christina Annesley, 23, was one of the many young Brits who sadly died in Koh Tao. They later retracted their confession. Rumours go that a couple very influential families, kind of like Koh Tao Mafia style, rule the island. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Especially at night just always stay around other people. Koh Tao looks like a paradise, but it's known among Brits as 'death island' Credit: Alamy In a new Sky documentary, Death On The Beach, families open up on how they believe Thai police covered up . The Thai population were the business owners. Don't get dodgy boat tickets from street vendors. The official story is they were walking back to their hotel at night and were jumped by 2 Burmese men. The second theory is they were giving abuse to the ladyboys in BAR. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. On Koh Tao it meant a man living their life as a woman. House is a generous term, it was a wooden shack. Are you looking to stay in remote bays then keep in mind thaT after sunset there is nothing to do. I don't remember exactly the time as it varied constantly between 5 and 9am, but I'm fairly sure it was closer to 5am. Hi! Photo: EPA . But keep in mind that Koh Tao is NOT Bangkok. 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. Like I touched upon, ladyboys were not looked down upon and it was disrespectful to do so. Don't let your Thailand holiday be ruined by your own stupid mistakes! It's very gruesome.". I have lived on the island for more than 7 months in total and traveled there uncountable times on top of that. Island life is all about flip-flops, bathing suits and funny t-shirts, life is at low pace and many tourists smoke weed. Most are running guesthouses, eateries and scuba-diving operations or working as diving instructors. There are serious doubts about the evidence linking Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, with the brutal slaying of David Miller, 24, and rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the Thai Gulf . Between 1-5 days later, I can't remember exactly, Thai police show up in large numbers and stop anyone from entering or leaving the island. Police claim two men have admitted killing backpackers on Koh Tao island . The mother told Der Farang magazine that she had been promised an autopsy report - but has still not been delivered. We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice., Millers family said: The act which ended Davids life devastated our family and his friends. Interested to join me on one of my trips? Had he hanged himself, the professor pointed out that the bruises should have appeared on the neck than on his wrists. I have traveled to Thailand almost 20 times. The other question is why were they killed. 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. In January 2015, she was said to have died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics with alcohol. Yes, that is more than 10 years of moving around the globe, not staying in one place longer than 2-3 weeks mostly! I love Koh Tao, but these guys are a blot on this tropical paradise. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were brutally murdered while staying on Koh Tao. 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. The couple tried to escape, hence their bodies being found a short distance away but were chased down, raped and murdered. But in this article I express my personal opinion on the safety issues in Koh Tao island based on my own experiences. He said at the time: "We don't know how or why she died. Hacker group Anonymous hacked the Thai police stating that they wanted justice for the Koh Tao murders in September 2014. Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, from the UK. He said autopsies to determine the cause of the deaths were expected in about two weeks. There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. If Koh Tao is part of your Thailand itinerary there are a couple things you have to keep in mind, but this basically counts for every tourist destination in Thailand and in the world. The official story is they were walking back to their hotel at night and were jumped by 2 Burmese men. So how safe is Koh Taoi? Grace Beahm Alford/The Post and Courier/Pool Grace Beahm Alford/The Post and Courier/Pool Diagram of crime scene. 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. Flights are faster, but more expensive, trains more comfortable than busses, but overnight, etc, etc. A key issue for the defence is whether DNA samples, taken from sputum and semen, which the prosecution says links the Burmese migrant workers to the murder could be independently checked. The final theory, is all down to money. That sounds like an obvious thing, but on islands where the atmosphere is so extremely chilled it is a very tempting thing to do. That DNA should by all rights be either that of the real murderers or someone who has messed up the crime scene, which, Dr. Porntip said, was what happened. In case you do decide to get your own motorbike don't get drunk and then jump on your motorbike. senseless" photos of the crime scene, they say, which show her body . The rest of the week, the island wasn't the same anymore. 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. Elise fled 2.5km to through the jungle to Tanote Bay and took a room at the Poseidon Resort where she booked another ticket for Bangkok leaving on April 24. These Thai people might seem like little boys to you but they could be ferocious fighters, be careful! The FCO says such attacks are particularly common around the time of Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin. Two Burmese men charged with the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller went on trial on Wednesday. Dont argue with them for too long, dont feel too cool to say sorry and walk away from the scene. Thai police said a post-mortem examination showed he drowned. Sorry not sorry hostels, but you are. Dimitri Povse, 29, from France. They will also look at any health conditions that might have been a factor. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. Click here to read about the best things to do in Koh Tao. In the court, a supermarket trolley held other pieces of evidence, including a guitar wrapped in plastic and said to be owned by the defendants and rolls of paper. This island paradise is notorious for the unexplained deaths of people who visit there. I greet my students and start packing bags as we'll be diving all day. The murders on the popular dive island of Koh Tao drew intense media attention from across the world. If you caused no trouble, you would have no problems and they didn't seem to have any issues with each other. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Koh Tao Police Major Jiraphob Puridech said the couple had been sitting at the pool bar before hopping into the pool for a swim. The horrific murders could badly damage tourism in Thailand which has already been affected by the country's deep political crisis and the introduction of martial law. Follow this journey in the link. 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. The pool was also supposed to be empty, because it was closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions.. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. The Koh Tao murdersinvolved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. He didn't get any change, he kicked off wanting his money back. Police Lieutenant Jakkapan Kaewkao, the second police officer at the scene, said he found David Miller face down in the surf and Hannah Witheridge 12 metres away on the beach. Plus crime scene photos. 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". The 2 Burmese guys confessed to the crime and have been given the death penalty. A short time later, Ratish returned to the resort to find the bodies of his parents floating in the water. That is the price you pay to get from Sairee Beach to Chalok Bay. Graphic images showing the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a beach in Koh Tao have been circulating online. The investigation will cover the depth of the swimming pool, their health conditions and possible foul play, Mr Puridech said. Was everyone on Meth in a mafia? The CCTV in the area had not been working for several months due to lack of maintenance but officers are now collecting evidence from the cameras installed in other parts of the hotel, he said. He was discovered floating in the water by a member of hotel staff, with his death coming just days after a tragic final Facebook post on New Year's Eve, in which he said: "Can honestly say this new year I am living the dream". A number of possible reasons. In January 2018 a British traveler was found death in a hotel pool along Sairee Beach. This is just a backup page for the Youtube channel, plus some stuff that I would like to share. Apologies in advance for spelling/grammar mistakes and rambling, typing this on my phone. Investigators will consider whether the depth of the pool which was around 3m on one end may have led to the couples drowning. The high-profile deaths of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014 resulted in the arrest of two Burmese bar workers who were found guilty of their murders and sentenced to death. Of course when splitting with 4 people this is fine. 0. One of the many tourist deaths in Thailand per year. 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. However, according to Rhys Bonney, an immigration adviser to expats in Thailand, the legality of the businesses are an extremely grey area. Asking yourself the question is it safe to travel to Thailand, starts with yourself. I This story was huge at the time in the UK as they were both British. and stay away from fighting with locals. A team of pro-bono lawyers and human rights activists are working as the defence, wearing black gowns and sitting in the court. Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered as they walked back to their hotel rooms in September 2014. Koh Tao: Murder in Paradise, Channel News Asia documentary With exclusive images, never-before-seen evidence and interviews with key figures on the island, Murder in Paradise sheds new light on a global news story, putting Thailand under the spotlight and asking whether this is still the travel destination from heaven, or hell? On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. How they decided it was them I'm not sure because there is no evidence it was them. The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. And insecure residency tends to breed compliance. They drive like maniacs, think they are untouchable, are often rude and over charge tourists any time they can! We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. David was either a distance away or hidden by people or sand. I regret that the pro bono defense team does not have the $5,500 budget necessary to pay for a proper translation into English. The Koh Tao Murders may have been a fatal incident on its own, but people got murdered. They have been given the death penalty. Just simply never accept drinks from strangers and keep your own drink closely. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), as many as 11 Britons have been murdered in Thailand since 2009. The Thaiger 116K subscribers Join Subscribe 712 Share 29K views 10 months ago #thailand #kohtao #thailandtourist We've all heard. A member of staff told police he heard four to five cries of someone in shock approximately 10 minutes . We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Defense lawyers for the two men later alleged that police had rushed the investigation to . I have now visited Koh Tao over 10 times and I have never had any problem at all! Think twice before getting yourself into trouble! But don't worry I am not here to promote Koh Tao as a tourist destination or telling youisland hopping in Thailandis completely safe. A case of wrong time, wrong place. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. There was a bar you avoided due to potential violence occurring. For a few weeks/months leading up to the murders, violence was getting worse, but it never happened in Westerner hangouts. Or want to know the best hidden bays or a secret sunrise spot? That said, it was my second time I lived in Koh Tao and it was the second time there had been a fatal incident. But human rights groups have called the mens convictions profoundly disturbing amid allegations of mishandled forensics and claims by the men Thai police had tortured them into confessing. Maybe it's because we didn't want to ruin the image our home had of a paradise island, or maybe it was an unsaid threat, I don't know. A big discussion started when I posted a picture on my Facebook Page with the caption that Koh Tao was a peaceful paradise. A small thing for you to do, but it can make a big difference for me. She spoke to police and wasn't given the time of day. The teen's body was found seven days after the boating accident. Check your Thailand routes below and 12Go Asia tells you all the options (bus, boat, train, flights) including time tables and direct booking options. She was later identified by dental records and previous x-rays. But please dont get scared! There were at that time a lot of rumors going around but no one really knows what happened. My advice is to rent a motorbike with insurance. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were sentenced to death for the killings. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . Fire show boys were named notorious, however I never ran into anyone that this actually happened to. The major problems started when Meth became heavily used. This goes on all day, trying to talk to each other but not wanting the tourists to hear about it, at least not from us. It's the closest I can imagine to what people in the military feel for each other. The only reason I can think for her to lie is to get some media attention, but that seems more likely to go badly than positively when the truth came out.
What Percentage Of Dna Do We Share With Guinea Pigs,
Why Did Salim Let Latika Go,
Articles K