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POLICE IN THAILAND are questioning three Burmese men over the murder of two British tourists on the southern resort island of Koh Tao, as their bodies were due to arrive in Bangkok for forensic tests.
David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found naked and beaten to death early on Monday near a beachside bungalow on the island, a diving hot-spot near Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.
A bloodied garden hoe was discovered 35 metres from the murder scene.
“Three male Myanmar migrant workers are under police detention for investigation,” southern regional police commander Panya Maman told AFP, without providing any further details.
A second officer said police were not looking for a British man who had travelled with Miller, contrary to UK media reports.
“All of the British nationals are now on their way home,” provincial police chief Kiattipong Khawsamang said, adding they had been “cleared” as suspects.
Neither officer was able to confirm Thai television reports that police had seized an iPhone and blood-stained jeans after raiding rooms used by the Burmese suspects.
Thai authorities frequently accuse migrants from Burma and Cambodia of committing crimes in the kingdom, where they make up a vast, poorly-paid and low-status workforce.
The bodies of the victims, who arrived in Thailand on 25 August, are being driven the 500 kilometres from southern Surat Thai province and are due in Bangkok later today for forensic tests.
‘Affected our image’
Koh Tao, home to stunning white sand beaches and azure waters, is popular with divers but is smaller and more laid-back than neighbouring Koh Phangan — which draws hordes of backpackers to its hedonistic “full moon” party.
On Tuesday Thai junta chief and prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha appeared to call into question the victims’ conduct in addition to the perpetrators of the attack.
“We have to look into the behaviour of the other party too because this kind of incident should not happen to anybody and it has affected our image,” he told reporters, referring to the two tourists.
Speaking a few hours later he said Thai authorities must tell “tourists when the safe times are to be outside, we have to help them understand.”
Police earlier said the pair had been seen partying at a local bar just hours before they died.
‘Battered tourism industry’
The murders are likely to heap more misery on Thailand’s lucrative tourism industry, which has been battered in recent months after a prolonged political crisis ended in a coup.
The army swiftly blanketed the country with a curfew and strict martial law, frightening off visitors.
Although the curfew was soon lifted from key tourist hotspots, visitor numbers have yet to rebound and martial law remains in place.
Military leaders have vowed to restore the nation’s reputation as the “Land of Smiles” with a clean-up targeting tourist resorts after a series of complaints about scams, assaults and even police extortion.
Dismayed Kho Tao locals told AFP the grisly crime was the first of its kind on the normally sleepy island.
Television footage late on Monday showed many residents wearing black as a sign of mourning.
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The greatest inadvertant mistake the founders of the USA made. They put that in to defend themselves in shakier times but it has been so badly baztardized that gobsheens like Trump and NRA lobbyists hold huge sway now with no end in sight either.
Actually they got it pretty OK all things considered. The bit the NRA like to leave out is the “organised militia” part. You can expect to pull their heads in though now that videos of the like of The Black Panthers are doing the rounds showing them brandishing long rifles with large capacity clips. That sort of thing scares the bejesus out of your average white republican.
Around 80 Americans die per day from gun violance, I wouldn’t exactly describe thst factt as getting it right. If IS could kill 80 Americans per day they would be pretty happy but when Americans kill 80 Americans daily with guns it’s seen as a constitutional right. Some right.
What a clever country. Do they really think that two groups opposing each other who are legally armed is a good idea. A Mexican stand-off I think it’s called.
Guns and angry people don’t mix…and they don’t even have to hide the fact that they have guns..Clever Country indeed.
Will Trump allow the Mexicans in for the standoff?
i think a mexican standoff is where there are three armed participants, or so i recall from the good the bad and the ugly
Correct, although my point of reference is Reservoir Dogs” (no *actual* Mexicans as far as I’m aware)
Technically a Mexican Stand off is where neither party can walk away without incurring injury. Traditionally it’s three parties but it can be two..
thanks Paddy, that does make sense, ill still picture clint, that rather grubby looking chap and the other one i cant remember though
Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef….
When you preach politics of hate and fear you reap what you sow. Does anyone think this is the way forward?
how could i forget lee van cleef. im hanging my head
Ohios laws state that open carry is OK so why won’t Trump allow Americans their constitional rights in the arena itself. Is this the start of his clampdown on American rights and wouldn’t he be safer if everyone is allowed to be armed inside in case of an attack.
If Democrat protesters behave themselves there’ll be no need for guns.
Otherwise it could end up like the OK Corral….and my money’s on the Trump Gang.
You sir, are a g0bshite!
Aoife, because it is the secret service that made the decision. They are kind of sensitive about firearms around US presidents, elected representatives and presumptive presidential Nominees
@Osine.
And you sir are an annoyance.
A guy in the crowd pulls out a gun, is he a good guy about to stop a bad guy you can’t see, or a bad guy? Do tell.
I don’t believe that. I reckon it’s an attempt by the government to roll back on the 2nd amendment. Really or just shows the hypocritical nature of a Trump campaign, he says that more guns are needed but just not when he’s around.
It has been the case at every party convention since the early 80′s
Wayne doesn’t matter. Trump says he’ll make America great again and I presume that includes allowing open carry and stopping govt interference in citizens affairs. He should allow all the conventions to have guns and if republicans are armed it’ll stop any crazy democratic party people.
Presidential security is the job of the secret service, the president does not get to over ride them. If he did they would not be able to do their job
Open carry doesnt allow people to pull a gun pn someone. Its there to negate violence.
very low on grey matter
Leftists want to stage a peaceful protest? Lol we’ll wait.
lol
These gun totin right wing NRA crazies are the US version of ISIS. The sad part is so many people in the US see no wrong in their almost mediaeval gun laws.
Hilary Clinton is a gun totin political hawk of the highest order yet seemingly Democrats have no problem votin for her.
Go figure.
Actually lots Of Democrats have major problems with Hilary.
Judging by the belligerent behaviour of leftie Democrats at previous rallies the Republicans have every right to arm themselves.
And defend themselves if necessary.
See comment above.
I did.
And I’m not impressed.
Somehow I don’t think the intent of the comment was to impress
Yes, they have the right to prove once and for all that they are the biggest terrorists of all. The biggest killers of Americans in the world.
“Trump dominated a divisive and unruly primary season, infuriating minority groups, antagonising many people within his own party, and drawing violence to his campaign rallies.”
Democrats have consistently behaved like spoiled kids having tantrums and violently attacking Trump supporters.
And yet people consistently blame the victims of this violence, how about snowflakes take responsibility for their own actions? Even an assassination attempt against him doesn’t seem to have raised any eyebrows.
Trump has shown the liberal monkeys up for what they are.
Trump has shown the world how far a fart in a brown paper bag can go
It’s a bad idea when the government have all the arms and citizens have none…eventually that scenario will end badly too.
Yep. Having an armed populace keeps the government in check!
if you live in the 18th century then yes, yes it does
The Tru(m)pPence Conference!!!!… Special Correspondent Mark Tanner!!
Open carrying of guns at a Trump rally….what could possibly go wrong.
Democrats arrive.
Everyone should point their gun at him in the convention and ask him how he feels.
have your say