A bloodied hoe lay nearby. But this was nonetheless a chilling documentary; with the latest British casualty only in January, it felt urgent, too. Criminal charges were filed against the publications, claiming they violated the Computer Crime Act. The "Death Island" name was coined to sell and spin stories. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. (8) Myanmar Times TV Both victims were hit several times on the head, with Witheridge also being raped, and Miller drowned. “The judge may decide using his personal opinions but it is best to solve this with professional standards. The thirty minute documentary was created by the Special Investigative committee on the Koh Tao case to show to Myanmar parliament MPs. (5) Myanmar Times Facebook Pages (Myanmar/English) Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in Thailand in 2014 Credit: AFP. In spite of obvious risks of contamination, these findings were used to locate, charge and convict two Burmese migrants. 3. We have to ask peacefully to search for the truth. 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. Rocio Leticia Gomez, like many before her, arrived on Koh Tao looking for her dream vacation. 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. Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found dead on Thai island Koh Tao back in April, with her death ruled a suicide. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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”. Nick Pearson. 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. (1) Myanmar Times Daily (Myanmar) Ko Tao is an island in Thailand and is part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. 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. (6) Myanmar Times Twitter Page As of 2006 its official population was 1,382. 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. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad. Music tribute to the many tourists who perished on Thailand’s notorious Death Island Koh Tao. They were partially undressed and … The grim cases on the Death Island of Koh Tao. According to an authority from the committee, plans are underway to broadcast the film online. Basically the islands of the Samui archipelago were uninhabited until the 1960s. One in particular, Koh Tao, was dubbed Thailand's "death island" for a very dark reason. Administratively it is a subdistrict of Ko Pha-ngan District of Surat Thani Province. (7) Myanmar Times News App Dubbed 'Death Island', ... and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on the island of Koh Tao on September 15. (9) MCM Printing House. It covers an area of about 21 km2. Santi was assaulting a female tourist when the Scotsman wandered in and … The 25-year-old's mum Tracey told a documentary about the island … My Shocking Fight story - Koh Tao... You won't believe this! 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. The thirty minute documentary was created by the Special Investigative committee on the Koh Tao case to show to Myanmar parliament MPs. 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. However, Myanmar authorities and human rights leaders called for an appeal against the case, as the two men have insisted their innocence. HORROR in Koh Tao’s Fishbowl Beach Bar! Scuba diving is extremely popular in Ko Tao … 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.”. 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. “Death Island of the Setting Sun” performed by singer Colombes Ran from Madagascar to the classic tune of … Officials have said they contacted the Embassy of The … 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 … Close. Murder … 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. With local police unable to secure the crime scene, national officers were brought in and DNA evidence discovered. Following a spate of protests over human rights abuses within Thai prisons and from the Thai police, a committee of Myanmar lawyers, migrant workers and human rights CSOs came together to conduct an independent investigation. Posted by 1 day ago. I cannot believe she got acquitted like holy shit it was so damn obvious. “Death Island of the Setting Sun” performed by singer Colombes Ran from Madagascar to the classic tune of … 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. 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. Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of “damaging Koh Tao’s reputation by calling it Death Island”. Such is the backdrop for the newest documentary following the case. Director Tom Stone unveiled a grim tale of local corruption, incompetence and cover-up. 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. Let's look at all the deaths that people reference when referring to Koh Tao: Watching a documentary on Casey Anthony and I’m so mad. Prior announcement will be made when the businesses can be resumed. For years the locals on Koh Tao would just turn a blind eye to Khokpool's violence. Thai police batted back the accusations, but it was hard to avoid the thought that this was institutional malfeasance. 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. 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. Dive resorts boast of its crystal-clear waters, and Western tourists flock to its lively beach bars. On March 3 a group of Myanmar authorities tried to meet with the Thai Ambassador to try to appeal once more. 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. 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. However, the outside world is far less tolerant of the violence and corruption on Koh Tao, known as Thailand's Death Island. (2) Myanmar Times Daily Edition (English) KOH TAO, Thailand — Promoters call the Thai island of Koh Tao a paradise. In recent years, many tourists have paid the ultimate price for visiting the island—they've lost their lives. The bloodied corpses of Witheridge and Miller were discovered the morning after they took a late-night walk on the beach. According to the Associated Press, the appeal deadline has been extended to May 23, 2017. Aside for the horrible double homicide of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in 2014, there have been no murders in recent memory. Koh Tao Death Island. “The extremists are separately making a crisis out of the Koh Tao case. We, ordinary people, cannot become involved nor have a sway in the system of law and order. Music tribute to the many tourists who perished on Thailand’s notorious Death Island Koh Tao. Murder in Paradise: a chilling documentary about the Koh Tao murders - but it lacked rigour. 6. Myanmar Consolidated Media Co., Ltd. will temporarily suspend 3 months the following businesses starting from 21 February 2021 at 10:00 am. 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. Koh Tao Island has long been an ideal destination for backpackers, avid divers and more increasingly Myanmar migrant workers. © Copyright 2021 The Myanmar Times. 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. As of July last year, the total stood at ten. The latest offers and discount codes from popular brands on Telegraph Voucher Codes, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in Thailand in 2014, Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin were convicted of the murder, double murder of tourists Hannah Witheridge, Line of Duty, season 6 episode 4 recap: the rats are piling up – but it's marching orders for Ted Hastings, Line of Duty, season 6 episode 4, review: quite simply one of Jed Mercurio's best episodes yet, Baftas 2021 winners: full list of results and nominees, How to watch this year’s Bafta-nominated films, What’s on TV tonight: the Baftas, Line of Duty and more, Prince Philip versus the stars: his 10 funniest celebrity encounters, Bling it on! His body was found at the beach at the Hillside Resort on Koh Tao, on January 1, 2014. 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. (4) Myanmar Times Websites (Myanmar/English) Questions. We do not want to create more tensions,” he said. 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The Moldovan tourist is the eleventh person to be found dead on 'Death Island' Koh Tao Credit: Alamy. 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. Echo from Koh Tao Island was screened for the first time in Yangon’s Orchid Hotel on May 12, following a press conference. Please share this post on your own page so that others can become aware of this assault. (3) Myanmar Times WEEKEND One year ago in Koh Tao, Thailand, I had one of the weirdest nights of my life. 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. Scapegoats for murders in paradise on Koh Tao, Thailand’s Death Island. 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. The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered on tourism, especially scuba diving. It has since been under fire by the Koh Tao district chief and authorities. 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. They now sit on death row. But her mother says she does not believe the police's version of events 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. Even at an hour Murder in Paradise felt incomplete, padded out with superfluous interviews and leaving the local mafia as a shadowy phenomenon. 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.”.