The victims have been named by Thai authorities as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth,. But in this article I express my personal opinion on the safety issues in Koh Tao island based on my own experiences. But also to tell you that NO Koh Tao is not a murder island. Think on forehand where you want your Koh Tao hotel to be. On New Years Day in 2014, he was found floating in a bay beneath a 15m cliff. She spoke to police and wasn't given the time of day. However you are on holiday and partying, things can ugly go wrong, so please be aware that these things can happen and protect yourself from it. Will Koh Tao ever be able to get rid of that negative image? 'A perfect job' Authorities remain steadfast in their conviction they've found those responsible. Prices for taxi rides in Koh Tao are fixed and they all stick to it. As the love for Koh Tao and Thailand is real, you might think I am biased writing this blog. 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. 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,. Click here for our ongoing coverage of the killings. 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! 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. Having lived on the island for a fair few years at this point, the mafia knew who I was. It's not like I could do anything but get in the way anyway. Maybe if it was more common knowledge, the murders wouldn't have happened. Are you looking to stay in remote bays then keep in mind thaT after sunset there is nothing to do. A short time later, Ratish returned to the resort to find the bodies of his parents floating in the water. In the meantime, investigators have been piecing together the couples final moments before the tragedy. But remember this only hurts your wallet! At one point is was extremely hidden and out of nowhere it was out in the open, if you knew where to look. UPDATE: Attempted murder by Thai diving instructor, Santi Khokpool in the Fishbowl Beach Bar, Koh Tao on 28-year-old British tourist on 15 August 2020. So the answer to who is the murderer is the owner of BAR, the same one their bodies were found the closest to, and a known mafia hangout. 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. 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. The family of Hannah Witheridge, a backpacker who was murdered in Thailand, have had their "hearts broken" by a second death. Burmese people were treated like shit by the Thai. A young backpacker has become the latest tourist found dead on Thailand's notorious 'death island', Tanote Bay in Koh Tao where a backpacker was found dead on April 27, Sairee beach where Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found bludgeoned to death, Chillingly, the death of Elise appears to have been suppressed by Thai authorities, Elise Dallemange, 30, here pictured with mum Michele, had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat, Elise had been travelling around Asia for the last two years, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in September 2014, Hannah is pictured (right) with her sister Laura, Luke Miller was found dead in a swimming pool in Koh Tao, Thai police have been accused by his family for not investigating the murder fully, Christina Annesley, 23, died on the island in January 2015, Christina's parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death, Nick Pearson's parents are convinced their son was murdered in Koh Tao, Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in March, She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16, Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island. 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. (via Kusonsattha Rescue Service) Details are emerging on the tragic drowning death of a billionaire hotel owner and his wife in Koh Tao last week as police investigate further. Think twice before getting yourself into trouble! Some Koh Tao travel blogs tell you that prices depend on your haggling skills. There is a big change nothing will ever happen, but a wasted tourist is an easy victim. He was unaware he was arguing with members of the mafia who are all on Meth and got violent with them. 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. Dubbed 'Death Island', the illusion of a safe haven has since shattered following the brutal deaths of a number of tourists. The 29-year-old Frenchman was found on January 1, 2015, hanging from his balcony ceiling. But her parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death. Fire show boys were named notorious, however I never ran into anyone that this actually happened to. A corrupt police force was bribed by BARs owner/mafia to lay the blame on anyone else. Get all the info about prices, time tables, company reviews and trip duration through 12Go Asia. Why they would spout this information, I can only guess. 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. She was later identified by dental records and previous x-rays. In August 2020 the death sentence was commuted to life in prison under royal pardon by the decree. I He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. I dont believe well ever find out what happened to her. 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. Sorry not sorry hostels, but you are. Click here to read about the best things to do in Koh Tao. I will give a TLDR at the end of this section because it will probably be longer than the story. But they later retracted their confessions, saying they had been tortured and threatened with death by their interrogators. In the end it was stated by the police that it was a tragic accident. 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. 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The mother told Der Farang magazine that she had been promised an autopsy report - but has still not been delivered. 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. 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. I simply want to give you some more information about the safety issues in Thailand based on my personal experiences as I lived in Koh Tao and traveled around Thailand uncountable times since 2008. Still in doubt whether to travel to Philippines or Thailand? If you were going to find trouble, it was at the bar, though until Meth really became an issue, you'd realistically never have any problems. Police ruled out foul play but his family believe he was murdered. Rumours go that a couple very influential families, kind of like Koh Tao Mafia style, rule the island. L&M brand which were found near the crime scene matched samples . In January 2016, he was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at the Sunset Bar at Sairee Beach. Stay safe and always take a taxi at night. Elise Dallemagne, 30, of Belgium. I drove to work and on the way saw a small crowd of people gathered to the side of BAR, on the beach. Koh Tao has already been struggling with a very bad reputation after the Koh Tao murders in September 2014 when a British couple was killed and left behind on Sairee Beach. I have traveled around the islands extensively and would love to help you plan your trip to Thailand. However, according to Rhys Bonney, an immigration adviser to expats in Thailand, the legality of the businesses are an extremely grey area. A couple hours later a British couple got brutally murdered and left behind only two hundred meters away from where I had been drinking beers and having fun with my friends. This story was huge at the time in the UK as they were both British. 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. Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered as they walked back to their hotel rooms in September 2014. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the bar and can find no reference to it on the Internet. 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 story is, they had met at the previous bar and wanted 1 more drink before heading back to a hotel. From then on Ko Tao was nicknamed the murder island or the Death Island. Plus crime scene photos. Photograph: PA The island, two hours by boat from the nearest airport, has a low-key, undeveloped feel and. For a few weeks/months leading up to the murders, violence was getting worse, but it never happened in Westerner hangouts. Graphic images showing the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a beach in Koh Tao have been circulating online. 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. The rest were mafia. The reason you didn't go there was because it was mafia ran and owned. Very much not true I can tell you! For the entire time I was on Koh Tao, there was one bar you avoided. The Thai population were the business owners. 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. I believe a decent chunk of ladyboys had mafia ties. They drive like maniacs, think they are untouchable, are often rude and over charge tourists any time they can! Metropolitan police detectives were sent to Thailand in 2014 to look over the case and report back to officials and the families. 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. 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. A baby girl has died in tragic circumstances on a family holiday, after ingesting drugs her parents believe were left out in an Airbnb. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Mr Sachathamakul's wife, Anshoo. In January 2018 a British traveler was found death in a hotel pool along Sairee Beach. The major problems started when Meth became heavily used. 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. Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. It's dangerous. The other question is why were they killed. But it was in this idyllic setting that their horribly bludgeoned bodies were discovered, their blood seeping into the sand and staining the water. It was obvious to us what was happening, they'd been bribed by the mafia. My mind boggles when you order a taxi ride that takes about 10 minutes and they charge you $20. "We're more and more thinking that the police information is not the right explanation.". So how safe is Koh Taoi? Apparently, she's also known as "Verna White". Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo arrive at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. 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. 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 . The population of Koh Tao was around 1300, which did not include the hundreds of Westerners living on the island or the thousands of Burmese, or the hundreds arriving everyday. Now onto the mafia. Even people you didn't know well, you would know what their reputation was. This bar also was the main hangout of the ladyboys. Different place, different rules. 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. Any reasons to be worried? Michele claims that Elise used a fake name of "Elise Dubuis" to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao as she travelled via the island on a ferry bound for Chumphon province on her route back to capital Bangkok. There will be no jury. 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. 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. Westerners were ignored as long as you didn't cause any problems. The circumstances around his death are a mystery. A small thing for you to do, but it can make a big difference for me. 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. Most are running guesthouses, eateries and scuba-diving operations or working as diving instructors. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. They walked together into the court on Wednesday shortly after it started, escorted by British consular officials and sat a few metres from the defendants. I know these people. Should I really travel to Koh Tao? 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. A number of possible reasons. Something went wrong, please try again later. The men, both the smallest in height in the room, wore matching beige outfits. It's the closest I can imagine to what people in the military feel for each other. 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Aug 10, 2017. Adventurous and want to hike to the best viewpoints? He had no broken bones. Who instigated the violence first will never be known and doesn't really matter. The first is they had an intimate moment in public. 2 minutes read. Blood on the floor of the feedroom where Paul Murdaugh was shot dead. He didn't get any change, he kicked off wanting his money back. I asked what had happened, he wasn't 100% sure but the bar owner had killed them. And its just claimed another two victims. I get home at 3ish and my gf and best friend are in our 'house'. 2 minutes read. Theres no proof because you cant get proof because the authorities are corrupt.. Saying not much better than slaves wouldn't be an exaggeration. 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. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo . It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were brutally murdered while staying on Koh Tao. Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in March and has still not been found. How Hannah got involved wasn't mentioned in this theory beyond, they knew they were together. These and more tips for a Thai domestic flight search in my latest Thailand travel blog, click on the link! I regret that the pro bono defense team does not have the $5,500 budget necessary to pay for a proper translation into English. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: californiasmovingcompanies.com, +18184645504 Tom's Piano Movers 1-818-464-5504 - Tom's Piano Moving Corporation | Moving Company in California | Movers in Los Angeles | Movers California | Move in CA Andy Hall, a migrants rights activist from Britain who is working for the defence, told the Guardian outside the court: Recently in the last few weeks weve got some significant information from the UK side and its raises a lot of very important inconsistencies between the Thai evidence and the the evidence from the UK. He did not give details on what evidence UK authorities had provided. 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. Another thing that should actually be clear is to never walk away from a party alone. My gf had been on the island 18 months longer than me and is one of those people who just knows everyone. These are the first pictures of the British tourists murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand. 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. A big discussion started when I posted a picture on my Facebook Page with the caption that Koh Tao was a peaceful paradise. Enough experiences to tell you that YES you always have to be aware of what is happening around you and be responsible in what you do. Maybe a week before, a Thai guy jumped off a 5ish story building whilst on it and died immediately, no tourist knew about this. Loads of beach bars to choose from and happy hours to get you started. The photographer focused on a few key details, like a tilted painting on the wall, disheveled . The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. I love Koh Tao, but these guys are a blot on this tropical paradise. 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. Yes, I have been there and yes I have smoked weed myself multiple times when traveling to Koh Tao. In recent years, however, the unexplained deaths and disappearances of many of those tourists have earned it a reputation as a death trap. Koh Tao murders: suspects in killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge say they were framed. In September 2014, the couple were found bludgeoned to death close to where they were staying. Investigators were checking CCTV from local bars and restaurants and it was reported people were prevented from leaving the island. This news blows up in the UK. 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". Are you into partying then book your accommodation close to Sairee Beach. I had no issues with them, they had none with me, but a few of the individuals were friendly enough. Two migrant workers accused of murdering David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the Thai tourist . Her bright future was brutally ended, leaving those who loved her broken with no answers. Dont waste time, live now! This led to dozens of charges accusing Alex Murdaugh of stealing nearly $5million in settlement money from lawyers who sued him over the death.. Police told Elise's mother Michele that her daughter had committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree around three days before she was found. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. The families of the deceased both present for the first time at the hearing have asked for privacy. . Taking a taxi in Koh Tao is simply very expensive, but if you are ready to pay the hefty rates then there is no safety issue here either. I lately traveled to Bangkok and saw marijuana stores everywhere. The bar owner was fairly high up in one of the mafias and had killed a few Burmese people previously so it didn't surprise me. In January 2015, she was said to have died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics with alcohol. In April 2017, she was found hanged in the jungle. They were the boat boys, cleaners, shelf stackers, dish washers etc and were treated horrendously by the Thai population. I have now visited Koh Tao over 10 times and I have never had any problem at all! Use common sense and stay out of trouble in the first place! 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. May be it is the truth, may be it is a myth. In case you do decide to get your own motorbike don't get drunk and then jump on your motorbike. 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. The couple were Thai-Indian nationals Rakeshwar Sachathamakul, 59, and his wife Anshoo, 55. They lock them up in a BKK prison and torture them for a confession. They raped and killed Hannah, and killed David who was attempting to fight them off. 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. Koh Tao Mafia truth or myth as a tourist you are not willing to get in touch with any of these things, right? 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. This idyllic island in Thailand has long been popular with tourists for its pristine beaches, kaleidoscopic coral reefs and turquoise waters. The police took the Burmese guys to Bangkok and they eventually confessed. 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 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. on Koh Tao in September 2014. If you buy 2 beers with the equivalent of $10, you aren't getting your $6-7 back. With all due respect but I obviously have no idea how a small blonde girl would feel visiting Koh Tao. They have been charged with premeditated murder, among other crimes, and could face execution. Photo from Sept 15 showing a police officer questioning Christopher Alan Ware, who has re-emerged as a leading suspect in the murder of a young British man and woman on Koh Tao on Monday in. In a statement following his hearing, James Gissing, who was in Thailand with Luke, said he felt police were covering up as it was the death of another foreigner on Koh Tao, referring to the Witheridge and Miller murders. Due to many many reasons I doubt the definitive version of the story will ever emerge. After 2 big trips around the world in my early travel days, I am now already continuously traveling the world for more than 3,700 days! You are the tourist, you are visiting their country so YOU should adapt to their standards and not the other way around! I think one, or both of them said or did something discriminatory to a ladyboy. I have lived on the island for more than 7 months in total and traveled there uncountable times on top of that. The Murders The two people killed were Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. A Scottish man is being kept in protective custody in Thailand after a photo he took . 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. Like I touched upon, ladyboys were not looked down upon and it was disrespectful to do so. You knew who you could trust, you knew who liked to stir up drama etc. 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. Whether this means they were having sex, making out or anything else I'm not sure. People from India and China died, mostly drowning, every day and no one gave a shit. It was something shocking to see. The case has caused Thailands judiciary to be closely scrutinised. The murders on the popular dive island of Koh Tao drew intense media attention from across the world. 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. She had medication for a chest infection and was drinking, but the Thai police failed to investigate if the combination was sufficient to kill her.". I understand that because I am a sporty and fit 1.86 meter (6'1) tall Dutch guy, I might not be the best benchmark for writing an article about how safe it is to travel to Koh Tao. She was fun, honest and loved life. So let's look at the facts which I believe to be true. The investigation will cover the depth of the swimming pool, their health conditions and possible foul play, Mr Puridech said. They weren't looked down upon or treated poorly at all. Koh Tao murders has been listed as one of the Social sciences and society good articles under the good article criteria. Besides that, islands are like small communities and they all know each other. The rest of the week, the island wasn't the same anymore. 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. But remember you are still in Thailand! Photo: EPA . While most of the millions of tourists who flock to the island for its world-class scuba diving opportunities, lavish resorts and unending sunshine have the time of their lives, a disturbingly high number who visited the island never came home. 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. That is the price you pay to get from Sairee Beach to Chalok Bay. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.