[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. Thailands forensics chief, Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand, has said that by not using trained specialists, police contradicted the principles of forensic science.. [1] Police revealed that the samples from Witheridge's body were used up,[62][27] but were able to provide DNA samples from the murder weapon. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Nevertheless, few have rallied to the defense of the accused. However, the death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment following a royal decree commemorating King Vajiralongkorns birthday. Hannah Witheridge (left), 23, and David Miller, 24, were killed on the island of Koh Tao on 15 September 2015. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". The family of a British backpacker killed in Thailand have welcomed a decision to commute his murderers' death sentences to life in prison. Its also reported that Witheridge had been raped prior to her death, those reports were later found to be unfounded. They were at the bar with around 50 people mostly foreign tourists before they left together after 1:00 am. Hannah metDavid Miller by chance when they and their friends stayed in adjoining rooms of the Ocean View Bungalows, a small backpacker complex overlooking the white sand sweep of Sairee beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao. Theories abound on Koh Tao about who killed Miller and Witheridge. The two were said to have been backpackers going through the tiny island of Koh Tao. Wai Phyo, a Real Madrid fanatic who idolizes FIFA world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, moves a virtually hairless top lip as he talks. Torture allegations aside, the proceedings have been peppered with oddities. Around three weeks ago, on September 15, their bodies were found together . Because we have learned for generations to take care of visitors. A brand new police station has been built with 40 full-time officers replacing the five previously based here. Human-rights groups expressed serious concerns. They flee extreme poverty and ethnic violence in Burma (officially now known as Myanmar), the legacy of a half-century of civil war and suffocating military dictatorship. Powered by. The police found a garden hoe and a wooden club nearby, which were quickly determined as the principal murder weapons. The defense lawyers urgently need both crucial information gained from the re-examination of forensic evidence in this case and also adequate time to consider this information prior to the trial beginning, said lead defense lawyer Nakhon Chomphuchat in a statement last month. Millers family also expressed confidence in the Thai judicial process, saying the evidence against the defendants seemed powerful and convincing. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. One of Wai Phyos former employers, who saw him soon after Sept. 15 and noticed no perceivable change in his demeanor, has refused to be a character witness or be named by TIME. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo know this too well. British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed in September 2014, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were convicted of the murders in a Thai court and originally sentenced to death, The bodies of Mr Miller and Miss Witheridge were found on a beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. A post-mortem examination showed she had been raped. But in Thailand, the police perform the entire process. She was a real natural with them.. Many believe the true culprits are local, and these suspicions were fueled after a Scottish friend of Miller fled the island claiming to have had his life threatened by local thugs. Both bodies were found lying on a beach, stripped naked and bloodied. Thailands National Human Rights Commission investigated these allegations, but progress has been glacial, not least because police representatives failed to turn up to four arranged meetings. Both men, in their early 30s, are presumed to be serving their sentence in some Thailand prison. In a wildly controversial move, the police forced the suspects to re-enact the murder in front of the media a move condemned by legal experts as prejudicing a fair hearing. Her family described her asvivacious and someone who loved living.Hannah was due to return to her postgraduate Speech and Language Therapy course at Essex University after her summer break. Miss Witheridge, a University of Essex student from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, a civil and structural engineering graduate, from Jersey, were bludgeoned to death. Death Island podcast follows the Koh Tao murders, which created an international frenzy when two young British tourists, Hannah Witheridge, and David Miller, were found murdered in September 2014. One belonged to David, and one belonged to an unknown Asian male. Few of the visitors on Sairee Beach today are even aware the murders took place. But Koh Tao was a political penal colony from 1933 until 1947, and a sense of self-sufficiency and isolation exists to this day. David Miller, 24. Dehumanizing as it sounds, they are a commodity for some people., Asked whether he has a message for his compatriots considering working in Thailand, Wai Phyo simply says, Be careful when you go out at night as you might step in the wrong place., WE HAVE LEARNED TO TAKE CARE OF VISITORS. [53], The prosecution's case focused on findings of the police and medical examiner, with an emphasis on the DNA evidence. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. Koh Tao murders, which created an international frenzy when two young British tourists, Hannah Witheridge, and David Miller, were found murdered in September 2014. I did feel safe, but that is scary.. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. Its something but its not enough, he says. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed in Thailand in 2014 Aug 17, 2020 Rex The two Burmese men who were jailed for killing British backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David. It will take a bit of time to find loopholes to appeal. 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 5am, a few hours after their deaths. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, "This Septic Isle: Backpackers, Bloodshed and the Secretive World of Koh Tao", "Links revealed between police and migrants on Koh Tao", "Police: Still no suspect in killings of Britons on idyllic Thai island", "Thai king commutes death sentence of UK pair's killers", "Thailand: Hannah Witheridge 'raped by two men before being killed', "Thailand backpacker murders: David Miller and Hannah Witheridge - two lives cut short", "Thailand murders: Victims' families talk of senseless killings", "Hannah Witheridge's family pay tribute to "beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman", "British backpackers murdered in Thailand named as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller", "Thailand murders: Amnesty International call for police torture probe", Koh Samui Provincial Court No. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. 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.Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. But many have concerns that the scene was contaminated immediately after the discovery of the bodies; myriad officials, journalists and even bewildered tourists were seen traipsing through the area while evidence was still being gathered. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. All Rights Reserved. On tiny Koh Tao alone, there are some 2,000 expats alongside the 2,500 registered Thais, according to Mayor Chaiyan Turasakul. Thai king commutes sentence of UK pairs killers, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, JP Morgan snaps up troubled US bank First Republic. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, commute his murderers' death sentences to life in prison, Banana artwork in Seoul museum eaten by visitor, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, JP Morgan snaps up troubled US bank First Republic, NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Indian 'killer' elephant relocated to tiger reserve, Trump says 'great to be home' on visit to Scotland, Ding becomes China's first male world chess champion, Father tells how gunman opened fire on Texas home. [64], Several CCTV cameras near the crime scene were reported to be nonfunctional, and cameras near the pier were not checked by the police. Sean . bubble tea consumption statistics australia. Scared is right. Far from official oversight, de facto control falls to the owners of booming hospitality businesses that were developed on land originally obtained, via government concessions, for coconut plantations. +(91)-9821210096 | paula deen meatloaf with brown gravy. [7] Witheridge had completed undergraduate studies in education at the University of East Anglia and had started post-graduate studies in speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. "We hope that these two murderers will now spend a very, very long time in jail where they cannot harm other families and will have time to reflect on the consequences of their acts.". Officials deny claims of torture and reports that men accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller withdrew confessions Jamie Doward Sat 11 Oct 2014 07.15 EDT Last modified on Sat 2 Dec . Their senseless deaths sparked international outrage and raised questions about justice on Koh Tao. The trial drew wide criticism from the international press and human rights groups. Of the 25 million foreign visitors who touch down in Thailand each year, half a million grace Koh Tao, the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Thai Gulf. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on the island of Koh Tao on 15 September last year. The family said it had brought to a close a "lengthy and disturbing period" where activists on social media had attempted to influence justice in Thailand and public opinion elsewhere. [76], The International Commission of Jurists said "the defense must be afforded adequate time and facilities to explore whether the alleged destruction of evidence in this case was appropriate and unavoidable, and to test the prosecution case overall." In general, tourists are almost comically unaware of this malevolent undercurrent. [39] Following an interrogation, during which police say Zaw Lin admitted he had entered the country illegally, Zaw Lin was arrested and his clothes and motorcycle were seized as evidence. Mr and Mrs Miller, from St Helier, said: "Every moment we miss our son. Zaw and Wai were each indicted on five charges, including premeditated murder, killing to conceal a criminal offense, rape, illegal entry into Thailand, and staying in the country without permission. Burmese migrant workers made up an additional 5,000, around 2,000 of these being illegal immigrants who bribe local police by paying 500 baht each month. Koh Tao is by far the smallest. [15] Public prosecutors initially rejected the report, asking for "certain flaws" to be fixed, more information to be supplied, and for the report to be made "more succinct". People come to Thailand to get away from it all. Their senseless deaths sparked international outrage and raised questions about j It has over 100 hotels and resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014. (Both families declined to comment when contacted by TIME.). [59] The defence struggled to find members of the public willing to testify at the trial, as many feared retribution,[1][60] hence their alibi was not considered convincing by the court. So, if youre interested in finding out more about the case, including the perpetrators identities, heres what we know. Hannah met David Miller by chance when they and their friends stayed in adjoining rooms of the Ocean View Bungalows, a small backpacker complex overlooking the white sand sweep of Sairee beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao. Over the coming weeks we hope to gain a better understanding as to how such a wonderful young man lost his life in such idyllic surroundings in such a horrible way, said Millers family in a statement at the opening of the trial. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. He was returning from a placement in Australia when he stopped in Thailand for a holiday with a friend. [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. Photograph: PA. Rights groups have said the pair were used as scapegoats by the . [51] This decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights Group, one of the observers at the trial. [70] Wai Phyo was also convicted of theft for allegedly stealing a phone and sunglasses from Miller's body. Zaw Lin, as pimply as any teen, chats eagerly of his love of Manchester United and star Portuguese winger Nani. The murders of Witheridge and Miller sent shock waves through Thailand. 23 Sep 2014. The Supreme Court of Thailandupheld the sentence in August 2019. [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. DNA testing of casual workers was introduced and many migrants complained of rough interrogations, with some claiming that they were scalded with boiling water. Miller had been a student at Victoria College, a fee-paying school on Jersey. Speaking exclusively to TIME at Koh Samui Prison, both appear much younger than their 22 years. Ringed by coral gardens and teeming with kaleidoscope shoals of tropical fish, it was primarily known, until now, for its diving. Foreign nationals were also immediately blamed for the crime, with a police spokesman even claiming,Thais would not do this. Their primary focus lay on migrant workers, with many alleging the authorities tortured them with scalding boiled water during interrogations. A post-mortem examination showed she had been raped. [33][34] Over 200 individuals on the island, many of them migrant workers, were tested in mass DNA testing. After the court ordered the DNA to be tested again on July 10, the head of Thailands Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA sample on the hoe did not match the defendants. News reports stated officers rounded up200 alleged suspects, most migrant workers, and used mass DNA testing. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. Feuding here is common and vicious. The investigators claimed the semen sample retrieved from Hannahs body and the forensic evidence found on the murder weapons and cigarette butts matched their DNA samples. As the local government was concerned about how the incident would affect the tourism prospects, the officials allegedly forced the detectives intoexpediting the investigation into the murders. [31] Media reports speculated that was because the defence was wary of calling on foreign experts fearing it could appear as undermining the Thai justice system, and could bias the judges against their case. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. [31][65] Jane Taupin, an Australian forensic scientist brought in by the defence, claimed that the timeline of DNA extraction was dubious; a rapid analysis of DNA samples had happened in less than 12 hours,[34] which she said was unusual because "extracting DNA from mixed samples was difficult and time-consuming". Two Burmese workers were sentenced to death in 2015,. And on Koh Tao there are around 5,000 Burmese conspicuous by the golden streaks of thanaka paste, a traditional sunscreen and beauty product, garnishing their cheeks who build hotels, sweep rooms and serve drinks to the coppery throngs of tourists. Hannah Witheridge pictured on Facebook back in September 2013. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found on a beach on Koh Tao in September 2014. All rights reserved. The second man, Wai Phyo,[a] was believed to have left the island by boat the previous night. [80][81], The Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said "[foreign female tourists] think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like. In fact, says Sean Turnell, a professor and expert on Burmese economics at Australias Macquarie University, The economic circumstances of Myanmars majority rural population are now marginally worse than before the reforms were launched.. A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok. Expats dont want to lose their time in paradise, Earley says, as its cheap, its nice living, and its very easy to ignore what happens.. Even though recent quasi-democratic reforms have seen an influx of tourist dollars and the rolling back of sanctions, that means little for the nations rural poor. Drugs play a key role. According to reports, Davids family welcomed the commutation of the sentence. [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. But in December, in a statement released by the Foreign Office, they said they were confident in the Thai polices work. Taupin was ultimately not allowed to testify by the defence, and these issues were not raised by the defence until their closing statement. Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Attempts to appeal the sentence failed, but a royal decree was issued by King Vajiralongkorn in 2020 commuting the death sentences to life imprisonment. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. Police and court systems were hacked or taken offline in the following days, and a stash of personal information obtained from the court's servers was posted publicly. This was very different. [1][15][21], During an hours-long interrogation, during which the police used Burmese food vendors as interpreters[35] because the pair could not speak Thai,[41] the suspects confessed to the murders. They also pointed out several mistakes the incompetent investigators committed during the probe and alleged the officers restored to torture to make the defendants admit to the crime. She was buried the following month near her family home following a service billed as a celebration of her life, with mourners encouraged to wear bright colours. Their sentences have been reviewed to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday and to show his "clemency". Only if they are not beautiful." [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". The police quickly elicited a confession and, after a macabre reconstruction of the murders before a swarm of media including a staged session of penitent prayers by the accused probably hoped that the case looked closed. Possessing no official status or documents, their vulnerability is extreme, and complaints of rape, extortion and physical violence are legion. [20] Both bodies were found semi-naked;[21] a pile of clothes was found nearby. 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". Hannah Witheridge and David Miller's bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao in September 2014 Two Burmese migrants convicted over the killings had their death sentences reduced to life. He was interrogated and captured while his clothes and motorcycle were seized as evidence. Traditional longtail boats, a rainbow of scarves adorning their bows, bob on the lapping water of the glistening bay. [1][11][18] A bloody hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, and a wooden club were found near the bodies,[19][4][14] along with three cigarette butts and a used condom. Dilleen Hempel Murder: Who Killed Her? [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. [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. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. Read about our approach to external linking. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. The crimes brutality amid Koh Taos insular, backpacker charm caused an international sensation and threatened to further weaken a tourist industry already reeling from the military coup of May 22, 2014, which saw hundreds arbitrarily detained and draconian new controls imposed on freedom of speech and assembly. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. A royal decree said the sentences had been reviewed to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday on 28 July and to "illustrate the king's clemency". Hannah had been bludgeoned to death a few feet from her room door alongside her fellow British tourist David Miller. Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. They threatened to kill me, saying: We can throw you into the sea and feed your corpse to the fish.. Several forensic experts claimed the police collected forensic evidence from the scene dubiously and was not subject to independent oversight or verification. Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were convicted of the . 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. Yet it remains an open secret that organized crime is rampant on these islands, says Saksith. Lin and Phyo (also known asWin Zaw Htun)were sentenced to death for the murder of Mr Miller and the murder and rape of Ms Witheridge. Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
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