After living through it for months, I think this conclusion, which was agreed on by many on the island at the time, is the closest to the truth that will ever appear. A case of wrong time, wrong place. But trust me if you travel to Koh Tao you dont get involved with daily politics on the island! They are most likely willing to help out a stranger. There was no evidence of a misdemeanour, but the bodies were sent to the police hospital for autopsy. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. 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. The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! Photographs of the bodies . All the 'dirty work' was done by the Burmese. I have no idea but it's safe to say it was the vast majority. But behind paradise lies a grubby underbelly where, according to one report, there are "enough suspicious disappearances to warrant the island its own CSI franchise". Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered as they walked back to their hotel rooms in September 2014. 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. Their parents must be going through hell just like we are and we have been for the last almost two years. The 29-year-old Frenchman was found on January 1, 2015, hanging from his balcony ceiling. I genuinely think she is telling the truth. 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. 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. That sounds like an obvious thing, but on islands where the atmosphere is so extremely chilled it is a very tempting thing to do. In March 2015, she vanished from her hostel, with her mobile phone, passport and camera left behind. 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. Tim Newton talks with Su Buchanan on her new upcoming book The curse of the turtle which writes about some of the true stories behind the backpacker murders and the mystery surrounding this island.Visit our new channel 'Bounce', and don't forget to leave a like and subscribehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXTDH9pVFFKgoWkex7NrhNQYou can purchase the book 'The curse of the turtle' here https://www.amazon.com/CURSE-TURTLE-Thailands-Backpacker-Murders-ebook/dp/B09QH854PC#kohtao #thailand #thailandbackpackmurders #thailandmurders #thailandmystery #thailandtourist// Download Thaiger App==================== MOBILE APP for iOS / Apple users: https://apple.co/3sFqPLU MOBILE APP for Android users: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TheThaiger.android\u0026hl=en\u0026gl=US// Want more from The Thaiger family?================================ SUBSCRIBE to be notified of new content: https://www.youtube.com/thethaiger?suv_confirmation=1 JOIN to become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfyWB_cTvCBWau8mFcMnJkQ/join BROWSE to read the latest news: https://thethaiger.com ADVERTISE on The Thaiger: https://thethaiger.com/advertise THAIGER TALK FORUM to discuss news stories: https://thethaiger.com/talk/ EMAIL for our daily newsletter: https://thethaiger.com/subscribe LIKE and FOLLOW our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/ FOLLOW us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThaigerNews FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethaigernews/ So let's look at the facts which I believe to be true. It was obvious to us what was happening, they'd been bribed by the mafia. In January 2018 a British traveler was found death in a hotel pool along Sairee Beach. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the bar and can find no reference to it on the Internet. 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. A cruise employee has had his contract terminated after he was allegedly seen filming women from a female bathroom. Thai police say the man on the left matches the one seen acting suspiciously on CCTV. Thailand is very conservative in regards to nudity and sex. 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. Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in March and has still not been found. A short time later, Ratish returned to the resort to find the bodies of his parents floating in the water. Of course when splitting with 4 people this is fine. Police officer gives testimony about bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller who were found dead on a beach on Koh Tao island in September 2014. This is not a specific safety tip for Koh Tao, but everywhere around the world. Asking yourself the question is it safe to travel to Thailand, starts with yourself. Her dad Boyne said a toxicology report was not carried out. Other witnesses to appear will be the doctor who determined the cause of death and a woman who first found the bodies. Koh Tao Police Major Jiraphob Puridech said the couple had been sitting at the pool bar before hopping into the pool for a swim. KOH TAO MURDERS - DID SCOTLAND YARD AND THE FOREIGN OFFICE SCREW UP? If it no longer meets these criteria, you can reassess it. House is a generous term, it was a wooden shack. But keep in mind that Koh Tao is NOT Bangkok. Maybe some of the mafia got involved to get them to back off the ladyboy, who is possibly mafia too, add in Meth, violence escalates and now two are dead. For example, Songkran is the Thai New Year. Maybe a week before, a Thai guy jumped off a 5ish story building whilst on it and died immediately, no tourist knew about this. I'm so desensitised, as gruesome as this one was, to seeing dead bodies at this point that I just get back on my bike and go to work. The couple tried to escape, hence their bodies being found a short distance away but were chased down, raped and murdered. 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. Koh Tao Mafia truth or myth as a tourist you are not willing to get in touch with any of these things, right? It was well known by us who lived on Koh Tao, if you did go to that bar, don't expect change. Take a look at my suggested Thailand island hopping toursor check out which islands to go in Thailandfor your purpose of travel or read here all thethings I miss about Thailand. Should I really travel to Koh Tao? The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. Apparently, she's also known as "Verna White". These are the first pictures of the British tourists murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand. Fears over the safety of idyllic Koh Tao were heightened after the killings of Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014. It's very gruesome.". I personally think it was a mix or the first 2. Simple things your parents would tell you too: dont walk along the beach on your own at night. shark tank hamdog net worth SU,F's Musings from the Interweb. Once youve been living there for a while, youll turn a blind eye to some pretty sketchy stuff, says Mike Earley, 30, from New Zealand, who spent six months on the island working as a DJ. Photo: EPA . They've gone years doing whatever they want, it doesn't matter who knows. Dubbed 'Death Island', the illusion of a safe haven has since shattered following the brutal deaths of a number of tourists. Secret Thailand travel tip: did you know that flying from either Phuket or Krabi towards Chiang Mai is 50% cheaper than the other way around. He didn't get any change, he kicked off wanting his money back. 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 New Years Day in 2014, he was found floating in a bay beneath a 15m cliff. I know these people. 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. Ortega, 55, is charged . Two migrant workers accused of murdering David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the Thai tourist . The body of his 55-year-old mother was only found later when rescue services arrived at the scene. The rest of the week, the island wasn't the same anymore. "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.". That is the price you pay to get from Sairee Beach to Chalok Bay. This time Ialso got a change to visit Koh Chang and the Golden Triangle up North. I got a clear view of Hannah's body, but not David's. There was a bar you avoided due to potential violence occurring. After checking into the resort, the couple headed down to the pool for a swim while Ratish went for a walk on the beach. It was exactly like that for five years. Any free moment I'm dying to talk to one of my friends to find out if they heard what happened. It mostly always comes down to your own behaviour and therefore I wrote a Thailand travel guide, with everything you need to know. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act. 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. They later retracted their confession. The case has caused Thailands judiciary to be closely scrutinised. Blood on the floor of the feedroom where Paul Murdaugh was shot dead. 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 bodies were found 100 metres away from the scene of a beach party, according to a local report.It was believed that attackers may have been waiting to target the pair as they walked off at the end of the party, which was attended by a group of international revellers. It just doesn't go away.". senseless" photos of the crime scene, they say, which show her body . British holidaymaker Christina Annesley, 23, died on the island in January 2015 after apparently mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol. Police ruled his death a suicide but couldnt explain why his hands were tied behind his back. Around 10k people on the island with only 3 corrupt police officers. Something went wrong, please try again later. Yes, that is more than 10 years of moving around the globe, not staying in one place longer than 2-3 weeks mostly! Aug 10, 2017. Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed. The Koh Tao murdersinvolved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. Five more three-day sessions will be staggered over the next few weeks, ending on 25 September, after which the judges will rule on the verdict. 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. Dont forget that Thailand is still ruled by a Military regime. She had also heard it was the owner of BAR who had killed them, from a separate source to mine. But her parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death. 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. 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. Mr Puridech said there were no signs of struggle at the scene and an early examination of the bodies did not suggest foul play. Like I touched upon, ladyboys were not looked down upon and it was disrespectful to do so. 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. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. Taking into account the multiple eye witnesses saying it, the guys reputation and history and aliases for the Burmese guys it's hard to see any other possibility. In Thailand every business needs to be majority owned by a Thai, usually they owned 51%. And its just claimed another two victims. Burmese people were treated like shit by the Thai. My gf had been on the island 18 months longer than me and is one of those people who just knows everyone. 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. 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! 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. Was everyone on Meth in a mafia? 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. 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. The global pandemic stopped me from traveling to Thailand for a while but I was back recently and added some cool activities to my already long list of the best things to do in Koh Tao. Why are government officials going along with this with no/circumstantial evidence at best? Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. You are the tourist, you are visiting their country so YOU should adapt to their standards and not the other way around! The police took the Burmese guys to Bangkok and they eventually confessed. Stay away from drugs! Koh Tao murders has been listed as one of the Social sciences and society good articles under the good article criteria. States of Jersey Police said family liaison officers were working with a family and close relatives of the dead man were thought to have been informed. Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, from the UK. Mafia ran the place, Meth was becoming a plague amongst them. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16 but failed to do so. All of the witnesses will be investigated as well. Defense lawyers for the two men later alleged that police had rushed the investigation to . To get around Koh Tao at night you should have your own motorbike or take an expensive taxi ride. They were at the same party together. 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. 0. She wasn't really friends with them, they were only together due to being friends with someone else who was having a house party. Interested to join me on one of my trips? A team of pro-bono lawyers and human rights activists are working as the defence, wearing black gowns and sitting in the court. Thai police claim Elise hung herself - but her devastated mother does not believe them, and thinks somebody else was involved. Different place, different rules. solve a crime that made global headlines . I was never explicitly told to hold back this information but that was the vibe. They are also being bribed, they are under intense pressure from the British government for any kind of 'justice', they want it pinned on a Burmese guy so the Thai reputation doesn't plummet, the police have planted fake evidence or they just don't care. For any of you who have been to Koh Tao, it was the bar on the far end of the yellow brick road, past the Go Pro shop in Sairee. Nick Pearson, from Derby, was found floating in the sea on New Year's Day 2014. These Thai people might seem like little boys to you but they could be ferocious fighters, be careful! But don't worry I am not here to promote Koh Tao as a tourist destination or telling youisland hopping in Thailandis completely safe. Whether this means they were having sex, making out or anything else I'm not sure. I trusted the people I called friends with my life, literally. You knew who you could trust, you knew who liked to stir up drama etc. Nicola Gissing, who was also on holiday with Luke when he died, has claimed her friends death was no accident. She was part of the sect of the Sathya Sai Baba cult movement, and lived with a self-proclaimed "guru", and left the island on April 17 to return home. If you can improve it further, please do so. I love Koh Tao, but these guys are a blot on this tropical paradise. Members of the mafia admitted to me, my gf and probably numerous others the owner of BAR, also a mafia member, killed them. 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. . Having lived on the island for a fair few years at this point, the mafia knew who I was. Don't get dodgy boat tickets from street vendors. This bar also was the main hangout of the ladyboys. 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. The story is, they had met at the previous bar and wanted 1 more drink before heading back to a hotel. Yes, I have been there and yes I have smoked weed myself multiple times when traveling to Koh Tao. The case has shocked Britain. 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". I asked what had happened, he wasn't 100% sure but the bar owner had killed them. The brutality of the killings made headlines worldwide and cast a shadow across Thailands image as a safe and carefree destination for 20 million foreign visitors a year. This story was huge at the time in the UK as they were both British. One of them was at the scene and I went to talk to him. Let me help you as in my article Travel to Thailand or Philippines I compare my two favorites island destinations! These are the first pictures of the British tourists murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. 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. For the entire time I was on Koh Tao, there was one bar you avoided. Interested to see my ultimate Thailand itinerarythen have a read in the link. Click here to read about the best things to do in Koh Tao. Mr Sachathamakul was the co-owner and chief executive officer of the Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach hotel and owned the Bangkapi Mansion apartments in Bangkok. Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo arrive at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. The family of some of the deceased - including three more Brits - have accused local cops of not investigating the deaths of their loved ones. 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. Koh Tao Murders March 28, 2022 courtneyjfretwell Uncategorized 1 Comment In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailand's island of Koh Tao. Two Burmese men, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, were arrested over the crime. It mostly depends on how you behave yourself. His parents believe he was murdered - despite police claims he fell 50ft and drowned. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of. For a few weeks/months leading up to the murders, violence was getting worse, but it never happened in Westerner hangouts. She spoke to police and wasn't given the time of day. These and more tips for a Thai domestic flight search in my latest Thailand travel blog, click on the link! Post-mortem examinations showed that the young backpackers, who had met on the island while staying at the same hotel, both suffered head wounds and that Hannah had been raped. With all due respect but I obviously have no idea how a small blonde girl would feel visiting Koh Tao. The body of 48 year old diving instructor Neil Giblin, from Birmingham, UK, was found dead in his rented bungalow on the island after he failed to turn up to a diving . The rise in tourist deaths in Thailand brought more police to the islands and stories of being caught with marijuana are still pretty common. There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. Need any advice on where to stay in Koh Tao then let me help you book a place on the right side of the island. But also to tell you that NO Koh Tao is not a murder island. Due to how tiny the island is, and the population of people who Westerners would interact with, maybe 1000 people, you formed relationships very quickly. One of the many tourist deaths in Thailand per year. In January 2015, she was said to have died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics with alcohol. With crystal clear water and stunning greenery, the Thai island of Koh Tao is seen as a backpacker haven. Westerners were ignored as long as you didn't cause any problems. Two Burmese men charged with the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller went on trial on Wednesday. Expats dont want to lose their time in paradise, Earley tells Time, as its cheap, its nice living, and its very easy to ignore what happens". Any reasons to be worried? Posted on December 5, 2021. Christina Annesley, 23, was one of the many young Brits who sadly died in Koh Tao.
Brightharp Funeral Home Edgefield, Sc Obituaries,
Articles K