Koh Tao Murders: Investigation deadlocked
The DNA tests have not yielded a match, the bloody trousers turn out to be dirty trousers and the lock of hair in the British woman's hand is unusable for DNA testing. In short: the investigation into the murder of the two British tourists on the holiday island of Koh Tao has not made any progress.
As well as spent yesterday Bangkok Post today extensive attention is paid to the murder, whereby it is noteworthy that, according to yesterday's newspaper, the Asian man, spotted on camera images, had been arrested, but today the newspaper writes that the police are still looking for him. The (extremely vague) footage shows him walking towards the crime scene and hurriedly returning 50 minutes later.
During the DNA test, semen found in the body of the British was compared with the DNA of six staff members who work at the resort where the two victims were staying, as well as with the DNA of the Briton and his roommate.
The roommate and his younger brother (who had already left Koh Tao) have been handed over to the British Embassy. The police questioned him because a pair of trousers that were said to be bloody were found in the luggage of the Briton. Witnesses testified that the roommate wore the pants to a party on the beach.
The police are now looking for a second murder weapon, a blunt metal object that would have killed the Briton. Police combed the area between the place where the party was built and the crime scene yesterday. Another clue that the police are investigating are three cigarette butts. The DNA of one matches the semen found. The DNA of two people was found on a second butt.
Yesterday, a member of staff from the British embassy accompanied the British family on a visit to the Royal Thai Police. The family did not speak to the press. The embassy has hired a company to repatriate the bodies. The newspaper says nothing about the family of the male victim.
At the beach, about a hundred islanders commemorated the two victims during a Buddhist ceremony yesterday merit making ceremony, led by the mayor of the city of Koh Tao.
Prapas Inthanapasath, director of the provincial office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has stated that the killing has serious consequences for tourism in the province.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Sept. 19, 2014)
Earlier messages:
Koh Tao murder: Roommate victim questioned
British government warns: be careful when traveling in Thailand
Two tourists killed on Koh Tao