(2) Myanmar Times Daily Edition (English) Basically the islands of the Samui archipelago were uninhabited until the 1960s. For years the locals on Koh Tao would just turn a blind eye to Khokpool's violence. Close. (3) Myanmar Times WEEKEND (5) Myanmar Times Facebook Pages (Myanmar/English) (8) Myanmar Times TV But this was nonetheless a chilling documentary; with the latest British casualty only in January, it felt urgent, too. The charges were filed on Thursday by local district chief Krikkrai Songtanee, who said the report had caused “panic” in tourists and many had cancelled their bookings”. (4) Myanmar Times Websites (Myanmar/English) Please share this post on your own page so that others can become aware of this assault. An MP in the documentary was quoted saying, “government, a jury and experts should jointly participate in this issue by pressing for checks and balances and asking for the truth.”, Family members of Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin have pleaded in the film, “We want our sons back…we’re their parents and we want the truth.”. According to the Associated Press, the appeal deadline has been extended to May 23, 2017. Myanmar Consolidated Media Co., Ltd. will temporarily suspend 3 months the following businesses starting from 21 February 2021 at 10:00 am. Fears over the safety of idyllic Koh Tao island were heightened after the killings in 2014 of Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and David Miller, 24, from Jersey. Nick Pearson. Aside for the horrible double homicide of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in 2014, there have been no murders in recent memory. With local police unable to secure the crime scene, national officers were brought in and DNA evidence discovered. One year ago in Koh Tao, Thailand, I had one of the weirdest nights of my life. Dubbed 'Death Island', ... and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on the island of Koh Tao on September 15. The footage Stone uncovered was startling – especially of a translator stroking the head of one suspect while he struggled to remember details of the crime. His body was found at the beach at the Hillside Resort on Koh Tao, on January 1, 2014. Located some 400km away from Bangkok, the small island has earned a reputation of being the best spot for viewing sea turtles, whale sharks and other wildlife. Prior announcement will be made when the businesses can be resumed. Those who moved there were "squatters" - as the interest in the islands grew people wanted to actually "own" the land they occupied - on some islands (like Koh Tao) they were rented leases for peppercorn rents by te crown. Thai thug, strongman & PADI diving instructor, Pat Khokpool (aka Santi Khokpool) almost murdered a 28-year-old Scottish tourist in the busy bar. Documentary raises new questions about Koh Tao murder, Myanmar migrants, Kalaw, after a century, strives to retain its position as travellers’ favourite hill station, Futsal stars turn to food delivery work during the pandemic, Water problems draining the pockets of Yangonites, Online support from doctors during the CDM, The top ten parasites that could be lurking in your food. The Koh Tao murders occurred on 15 September 2014 when two British tourists, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand.Their bodies were found on Sairee Beach between 4 and 5 am, a few hours after their deaths. Both victims were hit several times on the head, with Witheridge also being raped, and Miller drowned. 3. Two Myanmar migrant workers, Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin were arrested and given the death penalty for the murders shortly after the bodies were found. We have to ask peacefully to search for the truth. All rights reserved. Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of “damaging Koh Tao’s reputation by calling it Death Island”. They were partially undressed and … We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. But in the past decade the island has become synonymous with a series of crimes, particularly the brutal murders of British backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller who were found dead on Sairee beach in September 2014. Lawyers and migrants rights groups sent an appeal against the case in December 2015 which was rejected just three months ago when Thai authorities confirmed the death sentence for the two men. Such is the backdrop for the newest documentary following the case. While it didn’t want for courage (Stone’s clandestine interviews with the accused in prison were bold), it lacked investigative rigour and clung with annoying persistence to the historical present when describing events. “The extremists are separately making a crisis out of the Koh Tao case. Posted by 1 day ago. A bloodied hoe lay nearby. The thirty minute documentary was created by the Special Investigative committee on the Koh Tao case to show to Myanmar parliament MPs. I cannot believe she got acquitted like holy shit it was so damn obvious. The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered on tourism, especially scuba diving. The grim cases on the Death Island of Koh Tao. “The judge may decide using his personal opinions but it is best to solve this with professional standards. He continued, “Extremists make the crisis even greater,” referencing a growing tension between Myanmar and Thailand as more and more Myanmar migrants cross the border in search of work. Murder in Paradise: a chilling documentary about the Koh Tao murders - but it lacked rigour. HORROR in Koh Tao’s Fishbowl Beach Bar! Dive resorts boast of its crystal-clear waters, and Western tourists flock to its lively beach bars. 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Scuba diving is extremely popular in Ko Tao … “Death Island of the Setting Sun” performed by singer Colombes Ran from Madagascar to the classic tune of … (9) MCM Printing House. In spite of obvious risks of contamination, these findings were used to locate, charge and convict two Burmese migrants. Re: Death Island- Koh Tao Post by Ian Yarwood » Thu Dec 31, 2020 5:12 pm More insights into the nearly fatal glass attack by Pat Khokpool (aka Santi Khokpool) on a 28 yo Scottish tourist in the Fishbowl Beach Bar on Sairee Beach, Koh Tao, Thailand. Questions. Even at an hour Murder in Paradise felt incomplete, padded out with superfluous interviews and leaving the local mafia as a shadowy phenomenon. “Death Island of the Setting Sun” performed by singer Colombes Ran from Madagascar to the classic tune of … We, ordinary people, cannot become involved nor have a sway in the system of law and order. One in particular, Koh Tao, was dubbed Thailand's "death island" for a very dark reason. Music tribute to the many tourists who perished on Thailand’s notorious Death Island Koh Tao. Following the murders, Koh Tao earned the nicknamed of 'death island' due to the number of western tourists who have died or gone missing there. It is believed Koh Tao was first dubbed the nickname ‘Death Island’, by the Samui Times, a publication on the neighboring island of Koh Samui. Music tribute to the many tourists who perished on Thailand’s notorious Death Island Koh Tao. We do not want to create more tensions,” he said. 6. Criminal charges were filed against the publications, claiming they violated the Computer Crime Act. As of 2006 its official population was 1,382. Murder … They now sit on death row. Murder in Paradise(Channel 4) was an outrage-inducing exposé of the grubby underbelly of Thai backpacker haven Koh Tao, as evidenced by the bungled police investigation into the double murder of tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014. Steven Drylie, and ex-serviceman and paramedic in the Koh Tao Rescue Association claims the Samui Times “seems determined to sully the image of Koh Tao by continuously referring to the island as “Death Island” in spite of the fact that deaths are both, more common and less reported, in many other tourist destinations in Thailand. U Htoo Chit, a member of the Special Investigative committee and CEO of an education and development foundation for Myanmar migrants said, “The main reason for creating this documentary was to lay down the facts and ask for fairness, peace and justice and to stop extremists who add fire to the crisis.”. The 25-year-old's mum Tracey told a documentary about the island … Koh Tao, which has earned the name Death Island due to a troubling string of tourist deaths, attacks and disappearances, is again in the spotlight for … Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop by scuba divers in the sea after he disappeared following a night out with his family on New Year's Eve. But her mother says she does not believe the police's version of events However, Myanmar authorities and human rights leaders called for an appeal against the case, as the two men have insisted their innocence. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in Thailand in 2014 Credit: AFP. Moe Wai, a member of the Special Investigations committee and organiser for Myanmar migrants in Thailand believed the judges may have had implicit bias when deciding the sentencing. It has since been under fire by the Koh Tao district chief and authorities. The bodies of the young Britons were discovered in September 2014 on a beach on Koh Tao, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. Though Echo from Koh Tao Island comes three years after the crime, the film raises questions about tourism, migration and international law as the case has still yet to have an end. My Shocking Fight story - Koh Tao... You won't believe this! (6) Myanmar Times Twitter Page Officials have said they contacted the Embassy of The … Ko Tao is an island in Thailand and is part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao, AKA Death Island strikes again with yet another tourist death 14/01/2019 Koh Tao, that has become notorious for tourist deaths, has struck again, this time with the death of a 39 nine year old first time diver. In recent years, many tourists have paid the ultimate price for visiting the island—they've lost their lives. The committee has asked the local broadcasting department to screen Echo from Koh Tao Island free on the air but the broadcasting department has yet to reply. The Moldovan tourist is the eleventh person to be found dead on 'Death Island' Koh Tao Credit: Alamy. Director Tom Stone unveiled a grim tale of local corruption, incompetence and cover-up. © Copyright 2021 The Myanmar Times. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. 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As of July last year, the total stood at ten. Rocio Leticia Gomez, like many before her, arrived on Koh Tao looking for her dream vacation. Some migrant rights advocates have argued that there may have been discrepancies in the case’s evidence and CCTV records as well as potential discrimination on the part of the Thai policemen and judge. Watching a documentary on Casey Anthony and I’m so mad. It covers an area of about 21 km2. Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found dead on Thai island Koh Tao back in April, with her death ruled a suicide. Echo from Koh Tao Island was screened for the first time in Yangon’s Orchid Hotel on May 12, following a press conference. Thai police batted back the accusations, but it was hard to avoid the thought that this was institutional malfeasance. Let's look at all the deaths that people reference when referring to Koh Tao: Though Echo from Koh Tao Island comes three years after the crime, the film raises questions about tourism, migration and international law as the case has still yet to have an end. Santi was assaulting a female tourist when the Scotsman wandered in and … Administratively it is a subdistrict of Ko Pha-ngan District of Surat Thani Province. According to an authority from the committee, plans are underway to broadcast the film online. On March 3 a group of Myanmar authorities tried to meet with the Thai Ambassador to try to appeal once more. The "Death Island" name was coined to sell and spin stories. The bloodied corpses of Witheridge and Miller were discovered the morning after they took a late-night walk on the beach. The thirty minute documentary was created by the Special Investigative committee on the Koh Tao case to show to Myanmar parliament MPs. Scapegoats for murders in paradise on Koh Tao, Thailand’s Death Island. Koh Tao Island has long been an ideal destination for backpackers, avid divers and more increasingly Myanmar migrant workers. Allegations swirled of misconduct and forced confessions; of local mafia bosses influencing the investigation; and of a rush to blame outsiders and protect the island’s essential tourist industry. KOH TAO, Thailand — Promoters call the Thai island of Koh Tao a paradise. (7) Myanmar Times News App As other examples of sloppy practice emerged – four other Western tourists have died on the island in suspicious circumstances in just over a year – it began to feel like a very bad trip. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad. However, the outside world is far less tolerant of the violence and corruption on Koh Tao, known as Thailand's Death Island.