Three judges sat high above the small court room on Koh Samui, a larger island near Koh Tao, where witnesses will testify over the next three days. Try it yourself below! Having lived on the island for a fair few years at this point, the mafia knew who I was. 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. I will reference it further simply as BAR. 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. There was no evidence of a misdemeanour, but the bodies were sent to the police hospital for autopsy. The case has caused Thailands judiciary to be closely scrutinised. They raped and killed Hannah, and killed David who was attempting to fight them off. Two migrant workers accused of murdering David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the Thai tourist . 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. The reason people went to that bar is it was still open after everywhere else shut. 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. The island became world news when two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were brutally murdered on the island in 2014. Two Burmese men charged with the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller went on trial on Wednesday. SUPAPONG CHAOLAN DNA tests have failed to provide a match. The second theory is they were giving abuse to the ladyboys in BAR. Thailand's dark side: why you really shouldn't visit Koh Tao Traveling makes me a better person with ever day I am on the road. Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists killed May be the significant drop in tourists because of the Corona pandemic in 2020 and 2021 made these taxi drivers charge more sane prices, but I doubt it. Thai police officer describes scene at site of British backpacker As investigators descended upon the apartment, one of them picked up a camera and photographed the scene. Use common sense and stay out of trouble in the first place! Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. A big discussion started when I posted a picture on my Facebook Page with the caption that Koh Tao was a peaceful paradise. 'This is how we killed them': Chilling moment two Burmese barmen showed The official story is they were walking back to their hotel at night and were jumped by 2 Burmese men. This appears to be a situation where the accused had been tortured to confess to the crimes, said lead defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said in a statement before the trial started. 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! So how safe is Koh Tao? Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed. The men, apprehended soon after the pair's bodies were found, initially confessed to the crime only to retract their statements amid claims they were extracted by torture. I drove to work and on the way saw a small crowd of people gathered to the side of BAR, on the beach. The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! The couple arrived on the island for a holiday on Friday along with their son Ratish, 34, the Bangkok Postreported. This is to prevent the public from speculating and becoming scared of the area for its crime incidents.. Koh Tao Murders - Did Scotland Yard and The Foreign Office Screw Up Due to many many reasons I doubt the definitive version of the story will ever emerge. Very much not true I can tell you! Their parents must be going through hell just like we are and we have been for the last almost two years. 28 Serial Killer Crime Scene Photos From Famous Murderers - All That's Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act. Koh Tao murders has been listed as one of the Social sciences and society good articles under the good article criteria. They were at the same party together. The circumstances around his death are a mystery. Alex was charged with Maggie and Paul's murders days after he was formally disbarred by the South Carolina Supreme Court. Don't get dodgy boat tickets from street vendors. But remember this only hurts your wallet! There were 3 main families that each controlled certain sections of the island. The families of the deceased both present for the first time at the hearing have asked for privacy. The final theory, is all down to money. Defense lawyers for the two men later alleged that police had rushed the investigation to . The teen's body was found seven days after the boating accident. Thailand backpacker murders: Victim's father weeps at photos Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, from the UK. No toxicology report was conducted. Crime Scene Photos - Crime Online - Crime Online - Breaking crime But they later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators. Could this have happened on any other island in Thailand as well? Around 10k people on the island with only 3 corrupt police officers. The Koh Tao murdersinvolved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. The mysterious Koh Tao - Death Island in Paradise However, according to Rhys Bonney, an immigration adviser to expats in Thailand, the legality of the businesses are an extremely grey area. But her parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death. Are you into partying then book your accommodation close to Sairee Beach. Murdaugh Murders: Crime Scene Photos Shown in Court - Crime Online The police took the Burmese guys to Bangkok and they eventually confessed. With such incredible sunsets on the main party beach, the party starts early. 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. I asked what had happened, he wasn't 100% sure but the bar owner had killed them. Photographs of the bodies . Read my complete guide on where to stay in Koh Tao for more tips. He also had to track down a man seen on surveillance footage leaving his daughter's flat hours before she was discovered. In Thailand every business needs to be majority owned by a Thai, usually they owned 51%. They were also asked to recreate the murders, but according to sources on Koh Tao, were unable to do so. In January 2018 a British traveler was found death in a hotel pool along Sairee Beach. The rest were mafia. Horrible stories from an island that is well known for its laid-back vibe! They have been charged with premeditated murder, among other crimes, and could face execution. 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. Have you ever watched Big Brother and after a week, people are acting like best mates and saying I love you to people? 09/23/14 AT 10:48 AM BST. on Koh Tao in September 2014. For example we'd always advise people to go home after Fishbowl, which shut at 2am. If you caused no trouble, you would have no problems and they didn't seem to have any issues with each other. The pool was also supposed to be empty, because it was closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions.. 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. Yes of course! "We're more and more thinking that the police information is not the right explanation.". And insecure residency tends to breed compliance. In the back of my mind I had a feeling there might be something wrong. Fears over the safety of idyllic Koh Tao were heightened after the killings of Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014. David handed over the equivalent of $25-30 for drinks worth no more than $5. Scuba diving is the main tourist drag and when the scuba lessons are over the partying starts. Disturbing online photos leave family of backpacker Hannah Witheridge disgusted By Sophie Goddard 9 Oct 2014 Rex Features Last month, the tragic revelation that backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23,. 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. Apparently, she's also known as "Verna White". They have been given the death penalty. 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 . 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. I was never explicitly told to hold back this information but that was the vibe. Are you looking to stay in remote bays then keep in mind thaT after sunset there is nothing to do. Thailand is very conservative in regards to nudity and sex. She has no reason to lie about it. 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. That is the price you pay to get from Sairee Beach to Chalok Bay. Killed: Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on a beach in Thailand this morning, Body Found: 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge is from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Tragic Loss: David Miller, 24, is from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Island Paradise: Koh Tao island is an increasingly popular tourist destination. Investigators were checking CCTV from local bars and restaurants and it was reported people were prevented from leaving the island. But also to tell you that NO Koh Tao is not a murder island. Apparently a 50,000 THB ($1,400 USD) fine is what can happen and your passport will be taken from you until the fine is paid. The crime's brutality amid Koh Tao's insular, backpacker charm caused an international sensation and threatened to further weaken a tourist industry already reeling from the military coup of. The Murders The two people killed were Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Koh Tao Murders: Burmese Suspects Face Dubious Trial | Time Elise's bags mysteriously appear to have been loaded onto the ferry she was due to take, and arrived at Chumphon province where she should have caught a bus to the capital. He had not been questioned by police - even though officers had his name in their files. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. We all knew who had done it but the police were dragging their feet. Hacker group Anonymous hacked the Thai police stating that they wanted justice for the Koh Tao murders in September 2014. It was revealed yesterday that on April 28 Elise became the latest tourist found dead on the island of Koh Tao. Nick Pearson, 25, from the UK. I Fact is that they found another dead body in Koh Tao under suspicious circumstances. 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. More info here: Mother vs. vicious rapist. Its bright coral, sharks and rays bring in divers, hikers enjoy jungle walks and the bar scene 'rages on until dawn'. He called for help from staff but his parents were both dead when their bodies were pulled from the water. Police chief Apichart Boonsrirote said he assigned teams to check all surveillance cameras around the hostel and on the island to find out where she was last seen, The Phuket News reported. According to the Lonely Planet travel guides, Koh Tao welcomes thousands of visitors who "come to worship the turquoise waters offshore". I'm also not a great writer. We ask that the media treat Hannah with dignity in their reporting of the trial., Please allow the police and the court to do their jobs during the coming weeks and months.