French tourist can identify perpetrators of Koh Tao murders
A French tourist, who can pinpoint the perpetrators of the Koh Tao murders, has been taken into protective custody. He says he was threatened after he put photos of the two on the internet. One of the two bears a strong resemblance to the aforementioned Asian-looking man of whom there are vague camera images.
The Frenchman says he saw how the two harassed the murdered British in an entertainment venue last Sunday and how the Brit then came to her aid. He had taken pictures of the assailants with his mobile phone.
According to a police source, the two men have already been questioned by the police, but they denied any involvement and refused to provide DNA. Earlier, the police announced that they had camera images of an 'Asian-looking' man who walked towards the crime scene at 4 am on the murder night and returned in a hurry 50 minutes later.
Police have also heard from three employees of a company that operates a speedboat service to Koh Samui. A pair of trousers with unknown stains, found with them, has been sent to Bangkok for examination. DNA was also taken from all three. The three were working in the company's office at the time of the murders, which has been confirmed by CCTV footage. Two have been released, a third is suspected of drug use.
The DNA tests of thirty people have not yielded a single match. The DNA has been compared to the semen in the body of the British and DNA to other evidence.
Stricter rules for work on a holiday island
The Ministry of Employment will set stricter rules for the employment of migrants on popular holiday islands. According to the minister, the deployment of migrants there is 'a matter of national security and a concern with regard to the safety of tourists'. Next month the minister will visit a few holiday islands to find out about the registration procedure for guest workers.
The minister made his [discriminatory] remarks during a briefing at the ministry on human trafficking and extortion of overseas [Thai] workers by intermediaries. The minister warned his officials to keep away from corruption.
'I know that civil servants in various provinces act as intermediaries and charge high brokerage fees from workers who want to work abroad.'
According to the minister, this practice is one of the reasons why Thailand has dropped from the Tier 2 to the Tier 3 list of the US Trafficking in Persons report and is at risk of sanctions.
(Source: bangkok mail, September 23, 2014)
Photo homepage: Tourists take a picture of the crime scene. Photo above: On the left the two photographed men, on the right the previously released camera image.
Update
On HLN.BE an interview with Sean McAnna, a friend of the murdered Briton. He fled the island after receiving death threats. Two Thai men threatened to kill him in order to place the blame on him. For the entire interview (in Dutch) click here.
Earlier messages:
Koh Tao murders: Investigation makes 'significant' progress
Koh Tao murders: Nightclub raid, Asians suspected
Koh Tao Murders: Investigation deadlocked
Koh Tao murder: Roommate victim questioned
British government warns: be careful when traveling in Thailand
Two tourists killed on Koh Tao