Andrew Drummond

THAI PM CONCEDES TO REQUEST BY DAVID CAMERON

But Thai police chief not happy

British police have been given the green light to investigate DNA procedures and torture claims surrounding the Thai investigation into the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Diplomatic sources have confirmed that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-Ocha has accepted that a British team can now fly out. He was reported to have been pressed by Prime Minister David Cameron during the recent ASEM summit in Milan.

ITN reported quoted a diplomatic source as saying today:

“Obviously it is for the Thai authorities to lead and carry out that judicial process. But it is important that it is fair and transparent and that both of the families can be reassured that it is the murderers that have been brought to justice.

“There are two areas we are particularly concerned about. One is the verification of the DNA samples of the suspects, making sure there is further independent verification. And the second is the investigation into allegations of mistreatment of the suspects. What the PM secured this morning was agreement from the Thai PM that we can send some British police investigators to Kho Tao to work with the Royal Thai Police on this”.

National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang however appears to be unhappy with allowing British police to come to Thailand and reports the Bangkok Post today 'is adamant that British officials monitoring the Koh Tao murder investigation will not be able to interfere with the Thai judicial process'.

"Allowing the UK team to conduct an investigation is tantamount to a breach of our sovereignty," Pol Gen Somyot told the Bangkok Post. It is possible he had not been told the news and may shortly be greeting the new arrivals.

The two Burmese currently held for rape and murder, Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin, both 21, from Arakan State, Burma, have both claimed they were beaten during their interrogation.

A third man, Ko Maung Maung, also claimed he was beaten both by police and a Rohingya interpreter, who owned a roti stall on Koh Samui.

After his release he told the parents of Win Zaw Htun that police stood on his arms and legs and jumped on his chest.

Other Burmese on Koh Tao have also claimed they were tortured with scalding water.

Koh Maung Maung after being interviewed by Burmese officials

On the matter of DNA British police will want to verify the matches and question who exactly ha been tested and who has not been tested, to clarify confusion in the media over alleged 'mafia' elements on Koh Tao.

Prime Minister Cameron approached the Thai Prime Minister after a massive public outcry not only in Britain but on Thai social media. There is widespread belief that if the trial continues and the two Burmese were found guilty, public opinion would remain that they were 'scapegoats'.

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Footnote: This could be a straightforward situation or a very complicated one. It is one thing saying British police can investigate, another actually giving them full access. A lot hinges on whether the sperm DNA of the victims was found on the body of Hannah Witheridge and what else supports their presence at the murder scene. But there will also be matters of 'weapons used' and lack of DNA on them etc.

Dyfed Powys Police arrive in Chiang Mai during the Kirsty Jones
murder enquiry. The murder has still not been solved.

The DNA of course the major issue and Thai police appear to have broken basic rules by (1) Not sealing of the crime scene and (2) not employing a forensic pathologist, issues raised by Dr, Porntip Rojanasunan, Director General of the Central Institute of Forensic Science. What does this mean exactly?

Well police blocked those best qualified to examine the crime scene and deliberately excluded independent experts from the DNA analysis on site. In short if there were any secrets Thai police were keeping them to themselves. These act alone make the investigation suspect and court evidence suspect - but in Thailand courts can be very compliant.

Having spent a considerable time at the Department of Special Investigations over the last few weeks and met the officers who took over the investigation of the rape and murder of Kirsty Jones from Chiang Mai Police, including those who flew to the UK, I am all too aware how difficult the job of British police will be.

Chiang Mai Police had undoubtedly closed ranks on the investigation and by the time the DSI took over the moment had passed. In Chiang Mai, like Koh Tao, persons of influence were also reported to be in the shadows. That, and public opinion will almost certainly be behind the latest move.

From CSI LA

"The detail of what goes on behind the scenes however we probably will not be able to find out before the UK government opens its archives a few decades in the future. UK Police will however stick rigidly to investigation procedures and will be bound to report back what access they receive or did not receive. Thereafter it is a political matter.

But in January they will have to report their findings to the Coroner in Norwich.

Since this news broke links have been put up in the net from CSI LA to 'We are the champions' and 'Bad Boys' as in "Bad Boys, bad boys, watchya gonna do. when they come for you?'This may be a bit premature.

Flying Sporran's Weekend Diary

The forthcoming visit of British detectives to Thailand has stirred the imaginations of more than a few – but their visit is unlikely to be the same as the visit to the orient of two US detectives in the film ‘Black Rain’.

The cops played by Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia were chasing an errant Yakuza member, yes I guess they are all errant but this one was not following ‘The Code’, and set Tokyo ablaze in the process.

They were unceremoniously marched off the inquiry at one stage. But all came right in the end as the ‘good Yakuza’ helped them entrap the bad and the New York detectives, one of whom had a dodgy past, blew half of them away before getting their man.

This is however probably not the scenario for the British detectives coming to Thailand, who will arrive in grey flannels, white short sleeved shirts.

The British police are of course, a much more sober lot, who do not talk, unfortunately, in Hollywood sound bites and with no guns down their socks.

They are however coming to Thailand among widespread rumours that ‘mafia’ are behind the killings on Koh Tao.

Truth is stranger than fiction because Thai police deny there are any mafia figures on Koh Tao because, if there were they would have been told.

This will of course be their first starting point after which, they will be royally entertained, offered tourists trips and be asked when they are going home.

Some Embassy staff seem to be great fans of the Thai controlled CSI LA Facebook page which has been addressing the question of the non-existent mafia on Koh Tao, so the Brits may be more persistent, even though the Ambo is on an anti-media jaunt.

Now I apologise for being flippant for a minute because this really is a deadly serious matter. And there is quite frankly no more room for lies or playing around.

What happens is of importance to every parent who has had a son or daughter murdered in Thailand. But quite frankly there is going to be some play acting.

But the whole world will be watching the British detectives and praying they get it right and what they do have on their side, including the British public is the support of a large number of Thai people who too want to know the truth, and apparently a lot of people in the United States too.

Journalists are getting tired of Thailand's legendary cover ups from bird flu, to murder, to a modern day slave trade.

Meanwhile CSI LA continues relentlessly to target a University student in Bangkok as somehow involved in the Koh Tao murder and bit by bit has been picking away at his alibi while mentioning three mysterious men who got off island on a speedboat.

They claim for instance that while he claims he was with his amour in Bangkok, she was waffling away on Facebook in Pattaya 70 miles away (100 on mileage allowance) This young lad faced the press with a lawyer, and even showed CCTV of himself in Bangkok. Of course red herrings abound.

He must have been working overtime to get the alibi package going.

But by then of course General Panya Mamen had announced that the police were looking for two people, one the son of a head man who was in Bangkok. Not long afterwards General Panya Mamen was removed as Chief of Police Region 8, South Thailand.

One of my favourite pictures however is this of the Bangkok University student. This guy appears to have the ability to work through closed doors, or is it my imagination.

Foreign criminals wearing suits and ties and Rolex watches may fool tourism ministry officials who have been tasked to screen incoming tourists to ensure they are of quality, it was feared today.

It is also feared the same characters fool young Isaan women into believing they were people of substance and obtain goods by pretences.

The fears were raised after Premier Prayut Chan-ocha condemned the quality of tourist attracted to Thailand', and sought out higher class tourists who would spend more in Thailand to counter the recent 20 per cent drop.

But suits have been ruled as 'good' as for years now Thailand has been able to attract spivs, con-men, perverts, of a considerable high spending nature.

They have been attracted by Thailand's 'A policeman is your friend' partnership offers, which guarantee no investigation of foreigner on foreigner fraud and instant 'non prosecution papers' issued on a monthly basis. The latter scheme was initiated by police in Bangkok and recipients were also given an 'I am a friend of Police Card'.

Tourism and immigration officials have been instructed to watch out for large groups of tourists, often accompanied, by elderly people, who will be subject to means testing on arrival.

groups like this could be banned if they fail means tests

Officials are now given being charts showing what to look for on arrival and to assess the tourists accordingly. They are looking out for in particular people with lower inner eyebrows, shallow cheekbones, and thin chins. People with these features could have their names entered into a lottery and win a resurrected Thailand VIP Elite Card.

Courtesy Princeton University

Women who may not fit into a bikini or if they do look ugly and can sink five buckets of vodka-lipo in half an hour are also being waived through quickly to Thailand's southern islands.

A tourism ministry spokesman said: "What we do not want is attractive, university educated women, from good families. These women will not put out to the local population and might look down on them and this could enrage local feelings. And quite frankly there is nothing we can do in those inadequacy situations".

Australia is aiding and abetting the scheme by providing lists of some of its better off guests and will even stamp 'No Re-Entry to Australia' on their passports to ensure Thailand has long stay tourists during the quieter months.

Aus Aid

A spokesman added: "The sort of tourist we are looking for is in his late fifties, wears a suit, and can continually repeat 'I love Thailand and its people' while sending bouquets of flowers and gifts to local officials.

"If he fits that demographic he will enjoy his holiday."

KOH TAO MURDERS: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO SUMMONS OFFICERS ON THE GROUND

Porntip

Senior police officers involved in the Koh Tao murder investigation today appeared before a board of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand to answer allegations about the torture of Burmese migrant workers and suspects.

The HRC has now it says received 'credible information' on torture and next Monday will call officers who were working on the ground to give evidence.

Niran

Present at the meeting today was Dr. Porntip Rojanansunam, Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, and Niran Pitakwatchara, Human Rights Commissioner for Thailand.

Among those questioned was Police Colonel Prachuam Ruangtong, Superintendent of Koh Phangan Police station.

Dr.Porntip has already been critical of the police investigation into the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, and the double rape of Hannah saying the investigation was destroyed on the first day.

Suspect Win Zaw Htun with cuddly bird won at a fair
- The face of a killer?

The crime scene was interfered with. Potential suspects were allowed to trample over the site, and police failed to bring in an independent forensic pathologist.

It was vital and in the interests of justice that this work was done independently of police. But in this case police had retained control over all aspects of the case.

So far allegations of torture have included beatings by the police and interpreter of the suspects, the pouring of scalding water over other Burmese migrant workers, allegations that police stood on the arms and legs of Ko Ko Maung (the third man now released) while another jumped up and down on his chest, and allegations by a taxi driver who said he was beaten then offered the equivalent 700,000 Thai baht (US$21,657) to implicate members of a football team.

The latest allegations also suggested the use of plastic bags for suffocation.

While Thai authorities are having trouble getting people to believe they have arrested the right people for the murders, reports are coming in from Koh Samui that visitors attempting meet with 21-year-olds Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin or just bring them food are being intimidated and having their details transmitted back to authorities on Koh Tao adding to a climate of fear.

All visits are being refused except for by lawyers.

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COMMENT: This site is still getting bombarded with private messages declaring the innocence of the two young Burmese and naming the alleged real Thai killers, a few letters relate to an alleged argument Hannah is said to have had in a local bar with David going to her aid.

All I can suggest to these people is in that case take the alleged killers' DNA. It's your choice.

Save it for a rainy day or if you really believe you have something send it with your contact details to ‘Real Killer’s DNA’, Crime Liaison Office, British Embassy, or Myanmar Embassy naming the person and how the DNA was taken.

Amateur sleuths

But first, for a commercial price, not expensive, you can even get a DNA profile from various labs in Thailand. It works. I’ve done it. The Embassies I am sure would appreciate the extra effort as I am sure they will not thank me for for the scores of cigarette butts or chewed gum and used hankies, beer glasses, blocking up their entrances.

None of this would of course be valid in a court of law. But it cleared up some doubts I had in the past on another murder. Proper tests can be legally applied for.

And you won't be the first to do some amateur sleuthing and you don't need to threaten to hang the victim from a tree up a hill.

British police have in the past requested Thai police to DNA test a potential suspect. It was a very long operation.

People of course have the right not to submit themselves for DNA testing without due cause, that is of course excepting Burmese migrant workers.

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Help send killers to firing squad?

COMMENT: Meanwhile the Thai authorities have apparently invited the parents of David and Hannah to join in the prosecution. The offer comes from prosecutor Thawachai Siangjaew reported in the Mail on Sunday.

It’s all a bit meaningless but The Daily Star takes it one step further with the headline ‘Help us send killers to firing squad say family of murdered backpackers’.

Ignoring the fact that Thailand does not execute by firing squad, and when it did the squad was just one man, who shot the victim in the back, I’m guessing that should read ‘say families of murdered backpackers’ or ‘says family of murdered backpacker’.

But in fact neither of the families have said such a thing at all. And it certainly does not look like they will join the prosecution of these two young Burmese – not until the British police report. They have merely stated: “We hope the right people are found and brought to justice”.

But they could take advantage of this to give them rights to what the prosecution has.

When Vanessa Arscott and Adam Lloyd were murdered by a policeman in Kanchanaburi their parents' entered a joint prosecution. The purpose of that was to ensure that the prosecution went ahead in an honest manner as the the murderer Somchai Wisetsingh was a man of influence and had been Kanchanaburi's ' Policeman of the Year'.

And ignore the debate about how much investigating British police will be able to do. The answer to that has always been ‘none’. It’s what they find out about what has already been done which is the key factor and what they bring to the table.

HIGH NOON IN THE SAMUI ARCHIPELAGO?

Head of Koh Phangan Police - He could join the 'Outlaws'

British police might be well advised to send two teams to investigate the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller when they take up the offer by Prime Minister General Prauth Chan-ocha.

The first time should be the official one – the second team should come as tourists and operate without a minder but they should not go biking with Police Colonel Prachum, head of Koh Phangan Police and an integral part of the investigation who may have heard that the Thai Presidency for the 'Outlaws' motorcycle club has been up for grabs.

There are contradictory statements about what they will or not be able to do from the Prime Minister himself. Those contradictions echo throughout the system.

Prachum likes the Merc. He could be a lot richer than the arriving British detectives - which is what counts.

Yet there are organisations and perhaps even witnesses here who would wish to talk directly to British detectives, something the current authorities it appears might not wish to happen. The Thai Police view and the government view is that the murder is solved. The case is closed.

Village head with Prachum

Take this from today’s Bangkok Post:

“Police are ready to cooperate with British observers in the case of two British tourists murdered on Koh Tao, according to Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong, superintendent of Phangan police station”.

Prachum with Sean McAnna

But today at the National Human Rights Commission, a source told me, Colonel Prachum was emphatic they would not assist British police in any investigation. The matter was closed. End of story.

Members of the NHCR are concerned. They want to talk to British police. There have been all sorts of mentions of island 'mafias', extra police income from island 'families' etc. Police say there are no mafias on the island.

Meanwhile the NHCR has summonsed some eight different police teams to a hearing next week. The NHRC's brief at the moment is to examine allegations of torture, not the guilt or innocence of the accused.

CAN THAI POLICE STLL GET AWAY WITH OLD STYLE ‘COVER UPS’ AND 'FIT-UPS'?

Tortured 'Narong' over the Kirsty Jones murder
'Do it for Thailand'

As the controversy continues over who was responsible for the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao, and police close ranks on their now sealed inquiry, questions are now being asked as to whether Thai Police can still get away with some rather old tricks.

Writer James Farrell argues on Asian Correspondent that in essence police have tried to cover up and screwed up too many times. There in an entrenched view abroad especially in the UK that the current Burmese suspects are scapegoats because ‘that’s what the Thai police do.”

And as far as Thai justice is concerned the perception of it abroad is no better, but to date all these matters have not really affected tourism as holidaymakers always think it is something that happens to someone else.

Farrell, who used to work on the Chiang Mai City Life and Chiang Mai City News is of course aware of all the police cover-ups and attempted fit-ups in the Kirsty Jones murder.

“A few years after the Kirsty Jones murder in 2000 I interviewed a hilltribe man who had been used, unsuccessfully, as the scapegoat blamed for the murder of the Welsh girl.

“During the interview he told me the police, while torturing him, had said, ‘This is for Thailand’. It was his debt to the country, they told him, for being allowed to live here. His confession was for the greater good of the country,” writes Farrell.

He also interviewed the lawyer for two scapegoats who took the blame for the murder of Australian businessman Michael Wansley in 1999. Wansley had been auditing rice mills and found serious discrepancies in account. The alleged mastermind – a man of influence – was untouched.

The case was a veritable mish mash of Thai mafia activities

“I knew from the first time I saw the case that they were innocent. I also knew that at the time the police were under tremendous pressure to get an arrest. You must understand that it is not always the fault of the police, they are told from above that they must find the culprits as crimes like this look bad for Thailand and for tourism; so that is what they do, they find someone and get a confession.”

Here’s the link to James Farrell’s piece. It's worth being reminded of a little history.

CALLING GIRVAN MAN ‘MAFIA’ AND ‘PIMP’ WAS NOT LIBELOUS

Bangkok based British journalist Andrew Drummond has defeated libel and computer crime act cases brought by a former brothel owner in Melbourne, Australia.

Koh Samui Provincial Court has dismissed the charges brought by David John Hanks, 66, for a story which appeared on andrew-drummond.com headlined ‘Pimp From Girvan Scared Health Clinic Boss’ and in the ‘Scottish Sun’ headlined ‘OAP from Girvan Was a Mafia Enforcer’.

Drummond, former Observer and Times correspondent now accredited to the London Evening Standard, who also runs an international news website which concentrates on transnational crime in SE Asia, reported that in a separate trial in Pattaya a Mr. Michael Goulet, a partner of the Thonglor Clinic in Jomtien, had given evidence in the case of Drew Walter Noyes, who is accused with Wanrapa Boonsu of the attempted extortion of the Thonglor Clinic.

And in that evidence Goulet said that Hanks had told him that Noyes was a mafia type figure and was Hank’s boss.

Prior to the alleged attempted extortion Hanks had turned up at the clinic and told Goulet that his boss Noyes wanted to speak to him about the protection he could offer so that his clinic could run without any trouble.

The court subsequently heard that Noyes demanded 7 million baht to stop a police raid on his premises when illegal substances would be found. The demand was later reduced to 2.3 million and police set up a sting operation against Noyes. Hanks, originally from Girvan, Ayrshire, was in the News Restaurant in Pattaya with Noyes and Boonsu when the arrests were made.

Hanks had told Goulet that he was in the sex business in Australia and knew Chinese mafia, and indeed when Drummond checked, he found that Hanks was the registered owner of Masquerades Brothel in, Keysborough, Melbourne , Australia, and had told the business on to Chinese.

Goulet told the court at the time: “I was in fear for my own security.”

Hanks was later arrested in Pattaya along with a group of Russians in an investigation by the Department of Investigations.

He was accused or racketeering by lending money to Russians at 60 per cent per month. The case is still under investigation. Several Thai newspapers ran with the headlines described the operation as 'mafia' controlled.

Hanks’ only witness was Brian Goudie, also known as Brian Goldie, who claimed that Drummond’s remarks were extremely libelous and had caused his friend serious damage.

Hanks and Goldie/Goudie were also exposed in the Sunday Mail in Scotland for attempting to con millionaire Bill Monson. the American media businessman who lost millions after going into business with former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Hanks and Goudie at the Maharaj Indian Restaurant in Hua Hin

Posing as lawyers for a fee of US7 million, it was claimed, they offered to get Monson's cash back. Monson smelled a rat and pulled out.

Prior to arriving in Thailand pretending to be a barrister and former Captain in the Royal Marines Goudie, under the name Goldie was jailed for six years in Australia for stealing from his employers, a Perth mining company.

Goudie is currently on trial in Pattaya charged with posing as a barrister to defraud Elizabeth Fannelli Miller, 76, out of 7.9 million Thai baht.

Drew Walter Noyes and Wanrapa Boonsu are due in court on October 28th to hear the verdict against them in the extortion case.

Hanks to sue Google - but don't hold your breath This is a Goudie story.

COMMENT: I'm not having a celebration. I have won all my cases except one in which, would you believe, a court found it was wrong for a poster to have described this man Hanks as a pimp. That's not the point. These people are only making cases to make me lose money. They have all of course ganged up together, David Hanks, Drew Noyes (Noyes's common law wife Boonsu), Noyes mistress from the Buffalo Bar, Pattaya, Brian Goudie/Goldie in putting multiple cases against me.

Their complaints are trivial and I do not write libels I am familiar with the laws. I have called them cheats and frauds - but they do not sue on this. They sue on things like photo-shopped pictures lampooning them.

Yet these people have been exposed time and time again - Noyes in the United States - Goudie in the documentary 'Swindler Scot' - but the inability to understand what is going on by officials there is mind blowing. It worries me a lot. It worries me how many innocent people are dragged through this system - who do not have the cash to pay for their own defence - and who exactly cares. Not society it seems.

INTERPRETER WAS A PANCAKE SALESMEN WHO TOOK VICTIM'S CASH - AND NOW THAI POLICE CASE RESTS ON 'SUSPECT' DNA.

Thai police tell Win Zaw Htub and Zaw Lin to wai and ask forgiveness

Following the complete retraction of the confessions of their suspects and detailed reports of torture under interrogation assisted by a translator whose real job was selling banana and Nutella pancakes, the Royal Thai Police were left last night with uncorroborated DNA to bring to trial two migrant workers for the backpacker murders on Koh Tao.

Win Zaw Thun and Zaw Lin today emphatically denied being involved in the murders of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, during a five hour visit, said human rights lawyer Rassada Manurassada

"The suspects said they did not do the crime they were accused of. This is very important."

"The suspects said they were beaten during the police interrogation. The interpreter kicked them in the chest”.

In fact the interpreter used by police turned out to be a local roti seller of Bangladeshi descent and was not always intelligible.

Apart from allegedly beating the two suspects, the interpreter also extorted money from Win, Rassada told the Khao Sod newspaper.

"The interpreter told Win that his personal money could be confiscated, so he asked Win to give him the money - a total of 4,300 baht -and promised to send it to the suspect's parents in Myanmar," Rassada said. "We will investigate whether that money has really been transferred to Win's relatives.

The parents of Win are due to fly into Bangkok tomorrow.

It is understood the two young Burmese want to present evidence of an alibi.

This leaves Thai police with what can be only regarded as ‘untrustworthy’ DNA profiles which they say match the young Burmese.

But according to Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunan ,Thailand’s Chief Forensic Pathologist, the Royal Thai Police did not employ an independent forensic pathologist from the start. That left the police able to do what they want.

“It is essential the work of the forensic pathologist is independent from the police.”

What this means is that even the original sperm DNA allegedly taken from Hannah may be unreliable.
If that is the case then the only other authority which could have the DNA of the killer is the Norfolk Coroner’s Officer. A post mortem has been carried out in the UK.

From the CSI LA Facebook page tonight - what purports to be confession in Thai

In that case the Thai Police would not especially welcome British detectives due next week to examine a case they consider to be closed.

COMMENT: That could pose a problem for diplomatic relations. If for instance the National Human Rights Commission asked to see them they could decline seeking diplomatic immunity etc. But Britain is now a strong advocate of human rights, something the current Ambassador H.E. Mark Kent is quick to spell out. The NHCR could easily extend its brief. Or will the British police delegation just quietly come and quietly go?

Roti seller with a right hook? Seated on left watching Burmese officials interview Ko Maung Maung

With the arrival in Thailand of the parents of Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin the two 21-year-old Burmese migrant labourers accused of the murders of Hannah Witheridge and Win Zaw Htun a fund has now been set up to pay the for the defence in the coming trial.

There is widespread disquiet at the police investigation into the barbaric killings and double rape of Hannah and considerable disbelief at the its conclusion.

Detectives from the United Kingdom are reported to have now also arrived and will be visiting Koh Tao during their stay.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the defence fund organised by the Migrant Workers Rights Network should click on this link. The appeal is accompanied by the statement below.

pic- Thai PBS

On 15th Sept. 2014, 2 young British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were brutally murdered on Koh Tao, a popular international tourist island in the Gulf of Thailand.
The police investigation into who killed the tourists was globally scrutinised and impacted negatively on grieving family and friends of the victims and also hard working Myanmar migrants in Koh Tao.
On 2nd Oct, after weeks of official remarks implicating migrant workers in the killings, 2 migrants from Rakkhine state, Myanmar were arrested and accused of the murders. These 21 year old workers, one documented and one irregular, are Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun.
During the early days of arrest of Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, the two reportedly confessed to all charges against them. However, on 21st Oct the two retracted all confessions to their appointed lawyers and stated in signed testimonies they were not guilty of any of the charges. In addition, the two said prior confessions were made under duress.
Across Thailand, Myanmar and globally many people feel deep unease and suspicion at the arrests of Zaw Linn and Win Zaw Htun, referring to 'scapegoating' by the authorities.
Particular unease is present as the arrests may have resulted from an investigation where multiple allegations of physical abuse and torture against Myanmar migrants on Koh Tao were publicly reported by the media and rights groups. Multiple reports even surfaced of physical abuse or torture inflicted on the 2 accused in prison that are now being investigated by Thailand's National Human Rights Commission.

Information given under duress, abuse or torture is unreliable. Real information must appear if justice in this case is to be done.
Everyone, including family and friends of the victims, want this case to be closed and the real perpetrators brought to justice. A fair trial requires the rights of the accused to a crime be respected and that the accused have the best legal team to defend them of a crime they may or may not have done.
This fundraiser is set up by the Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN), a migrant run organisation with more than 3,000 fee-paying Myanmar migrant members, to assist to cover costs of lawyers and a support team to ensure a fair trial for the accused in the Koh Tao case. Essential costs for the accused in prison shall also be supported.
An expert team of lawyers, both from the Lawyers Council of Thailand and independent lawyers, will work Pro Bono on this case but travel costs to a remote island in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as accommodation, food and island based travel costs are high. Court procedure, documentation issues and related tasks also require funds. Living in a Thai prison costs too, such that the accused need to be provided with essential accessories and food supplements.
All funds raised through this campaign will be deposited from Paypal into a bank account jointly and specifically opened for this case. All payments distributed will be certified as being 'case related costs' by the head of the practicing lawyers team in the case. Public reports of spendings will be duly published. -

See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/justice-koh-tao-murder-case/246839#sthash.rvOtfeCV.dpuf

'Grubby Rooms I Can Bare. Grubby Staff - No!'

Here’s some news to start off the day – The Southern Hotels Association according to PBS News wants a hand in controlling the tourists who come to Thailand.

The organization wants ‘quality’ or ‘high spending’ tourists – ‘at an appropriate level to match the capacity with accommodation’ but then goes on to say of 70,000 hotel rooms available on Phuket – 60 per cent are illegal – and the Northern Hotels Association says that 60 per cent are illegal too.

Either this is a drive for new members, or if tourists are struck down by a death virus – there is no one to turn to.

That's all very well but are not these associations leaving out the thousands of places which are not three to five star - and need customers too.

These include those mafia run places where the staff are greedy and lecherous and the bed-bugs are just downright greedy.

Do they intend to means test tourists and ask the same questions British immigration for incoming Thais?

Read:(LINK HERE)

The Southern Hotels Association has suggested that the number of tourists visiting Phuket in the future should be kept at an appropriate level to match with the capacity of accommodation.
Mr Krisda Tansakul, president of the Southern Hotels Association, said today (Thursday) the idea of controlling the number of tourist arrivals in Phuket was floated at a recent meeting with Mrs Kobkarn Wattanawarangkun, minister of tourism and sports.
He said that idea was meant to screen tourist arrivals with emphasis on “quality” or high-spending tourists.

A review for a currently very controversial resort on Koh Tao - probably not part of the Southern Hotels Association

He pointed out that Phuket was overwhelmed with tourists many of them arriving in tour groups and, hence, prompting a surge of illegal and inexpensive hotels to accommodate the budget tourists often leading to price cutting.
Mr Krisda disclosed that many four-star hotels which are popular among tourists have slashed their prices down to approximate 2,500 baht per day in order to remain competitive with 3-star hotels.
There are 70,000 hotel, service apartment and condominium rooms in Phuket but 60 percent of them are illegal, said Mr Krisda.
Mrs La-iad Bungseethong, president of the Northern Hotels Association, said that 60 percent of hotels in Chiang Mai are illegal and they have engaged in fierce price cutting to outdo one another to attract customers.

An inquiry is under way in Bangkok into how a 24-year-old British woman died under anaesthetic while undergoing simple plastic surgery.

The body of the woman (name withheld) was taken from the SP Clinic in the Huay Khwang District of Bangkok late on Thursday.

Thai authorities say a British woman has died under anaesthesia during a corrective cosmetic procedure at the same Bangkok clinic.

Deputy police commander Pol Col Chayut Marayat said he had interviewed the SP Clinic owner and doctor Somphob Sansiri, 51, and had charged him with recklessly causing the death of the women.

She had previously undergone cosmetic plastic surgery at the clinic but returned yesterday to have some correction to her lower back area.

The clinic has been the subject of internet campaign against it believed to have been started by an unsatisfied customer. The major subject of the campaign has been the clinic director and surgeon Dr. Sompob Sansiri, who has been interviewed by the Thai police.

Sompob Sansiri

Public Health ministry executive Boonruang Triruangworawat said Friday the British woman was operated on by a doctor who was not certified for cosmetic surgery.

Boonruang says the 24-year-old patient stopped breathing after receiving an anesthetic during the operation Thursday.

Clinics in Bangkok usually move operations requiring general unaesthetic to nearby hospitals but SP Clinic does its own.

Thailand is known for its affordable cosmetic procedures, and promotes itself as a medical tourism hub but there have been several deaths as a result of botched surgeries - and clinics have been opened by people with no medical history whatsoever – even one by a 22-year-old university student.

'We'll tie you to burning tyres!' - 'We'll cut off your limbs and put them in plastic bags'

As the Koh Tao murder case rumbles on, despite Thai Police putting a lid on the affair and stating the case was now closed, the father of one of the accused has given an interview to the Democratic Voice of Burma giving more details of threats by Thai police

Htun Htun Htike, the father of Win Zaw Htun, said, “My son and his friend [Zaw Lin] told me that they were subjected to physical torture by the Thai police and their translator.
“The interrogators told them to confess to the crime, and threatened to cut off their limbs, put them in a bag, and dump them in a river if they did not."

He added: “The police also threatened to tie the two boys to a tire, pour petrol on it, and set it alight,” he told DVB’s Aye Nai.

“My son said they were terrified and confessed. But now that we [their parents and Burmese officials] are present, they can speak the truth – that they did not commit the murder.

“My son also told me that the police threatened to use tasers on them.” - DVB

Now together with calls for a completely new investigation headed by Thailand's Chief Forensic Pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojananasun and some tip-toeing by British detectives the Thai investigation into the murder of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge is looking more and more unprofessional.

It has the potential of damaging Thailand's relations not only Britain but also Burma (Myanmar).

Manager magazine has suggested that British police 'know' that the two Burmese were not involved in the killing and that David Miller's friend Christopher Ware has provided valuable testimony - but if that is the case that can only have come from a Thai police leak - as the British detectives will make absolutely no comment before they return to the UK with their report.

On the day British police finally made it to the Thai island of Koh Tao the scene of the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, Britain’s Foreign Office has stated that it is concerned not only about the alleged mistreatment of the two Burmese men now held in Koh Samui jail but also concerned about allegations of corruption.

This is the first time the British authorities have referred to corruption in the Thai Police investigation and the term was used in answers to ten questions submitted by the local newspaper the East Anglian Daily Times.

On being asked how confident it was that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice the FCO replied:

“We want to see the perpetrators of this crime brought to justice and we have asked the Thai authorities to keep our Embassy in Bangkok closely informed on their investigation.

The British government cannot interfere in Thailand’s judicial proceedings, just as other governments are unable to interfere in our own judicial processes.

That said, we are very concerned by the allegations of corruption and mistreatment of the suspects and it is very important that whoever committed these murders is brought to justice.

We call for the investigation to be conducted in a fair and transparent way, in line with international standards.”

It is not clear what allegations of corruption the FCO are referring to. There have been public allegations that they offered to pay a taxi driver to give false testimony, but other allegations relating to the police relationship to a local island family, which in the view of many has access to the truth, have only been mentioned in social media.

The FCO stated: “A detective chief inspector from the Metropolitan Police Service Homicide and Major Crime Command and a forensic operations co-ordinator from Forensic Services have been deployed and are in Thailand.”

The Bangkok Post reported today that other officers had already been on the island since Friday.

COMMENT: If Thailand needs to get 'in line' with international standards it should of course remove the shackles of the two Burmese, Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin.

Non existent Honours Degree in Law

Fake British lawyer Brian Goudie, aka Brian Goldie, is due to appear in Pattaya Provincial Court on Monday in a preliminary hearing in relation to an alleged scam on clients of his pseudo law firm ‘Alba Laws’.

Goudie,48, currently commuting between Samui, Cha-am, Hua Hin, and Prachuap Khiri Kan, is alleged to have pocketed cash which the court had ordered to be paid to two British and one German client, as part of a settlement on a property deal.

He is also currently on trial for posing as a barrister to defraud Mrs. Barbara Fanelli Miller of Madison, Wisconsin out of 7.9 million baht to defend her son on charges of child sexual abuse. Part of that amount was the bail he promised to get her son, Gregory Miller, a former teacher at an international school.

Goudie re-invented himself as a lawyer in Thailand and a former officer in the Royal Marines and even conned Thai lawyers into believing him. In fact under the name Goldie he had been jailed in Australia for 6 years for theft.

Nevertheless he continued to complain about the rising costs of a wig and gown and when he left the country he would say it was a usually to attend a trial at High Court of or Old Bailey in London.

Declaration: Goudie is suing this site for using photo-shopped pictures of him to his detriment. They include the picture here of him in a barrister’s wig.

APOLOGY: An earlier story, which has now been removed, stated that charges brought against Andrew Drummond, by former Australian pimp David Hanks, had been dismissed by the court in Koh Samui.

This is not true. Documents have subsequently been received that show this case was accepted. An apology is is therefore in order. This error was due to false reporting by a lawyer. He had been asked to double check. In fact this case was dismissed at an earlier hearing but re-instated.

WHO IS WATCHING THAILAND'S 'MEDICAL HUB' CLINICS?

The death of 24-year-old Joy Williams while under anaesthetic at the SP Clinic in Lard Prao, Bangkok, continues to get a lot of space in the British Press – not least because a lot of Britons come to Bangkok and other parts of Thailand as part of ‘medical tourism’ deals – which have been heavily promoted abroad.

Joy herself, born in Nigeria, had come to Thailand before , and she died during the second operation during the current visit.

The clinic itself had been subject to widespread attacks on social media, including ripoffreport – and a wordpress website, now disfunctional, had been dedicated to Sompob Sansiri himself, the director of the clinic, and also apparently a surgeon.

The Ministry of Health should of course check on each clinic which offers cosmetic surgery on the cheap, or at least cheaper that foreigners can get in their homelands.

For a start all clinics and hospitals should be fully insured against disasters like this.

The Daily Mail is reporting that of 26.5 million people who visited Thailand in 2013, some 2.5 million visited purely for medical reasons and to put this in context that is a lot of people who did not die. But of course others have.

And plastic surgeries in the UK report a drastic increase in surgery cases needed to correct hatchet jobs overseas. One clinic the Cadogan in Chelsea, reports the Mail, has seen an increase in these cases of 125 per cent. A lot of this however is attributed to clinics in Eastern Europe.

Sompob is currently charged with recklessly causing the death of Ms. Williams, who was having some buttock enhancement operation.

From the Daily Mail

The Ministry of Health and police might want to check further. There is no such company as the SP Clinic or Cosmetic Surgery run by Mr. Sompob.

However the phone number of SP Clinic’s (02-9304450) and also the address match the phone number and address in Lardprao 41/1 belonging to a company called Medical Service International Co Ltd (Reg No:0105554092208.

But this company went out of business last year. Sompob Sansiri ([นายสมภพ แสนศิริ) was one of three directors.

The SP company website is www.sp-cosmeticsurgery.com – but don’t go there it might start ringing virus alarm bells on your computer.

MSI also never appears to have filed any tax returns - so who gains? Not Thailand for sure. Some clinics can destroy what could be a regulated business with advantages for all.

Flying Sporran’s Weekend Diary

I have always been a bit wary of senior sergeants and sergeant majors in the Thai Police force. They are not like the classic British Army Sergeant Majors, who in days of old, actually ran the British army, and may still do.

Anuthep

No, Thai Police senior sergeants and sergeant majors can be in a class of their own. Quite often they are lone wolves out there wheeling and dealing.

Sometimes they appear to have more power than others considerably outranking them.

Two such senior sergeant were of course Sergeant Somchai Wisetsingh – who was jailed for the murders of Vanessa Arscott in Kanchanaburi, and Sergeant Uthai Dechachiwit, who was jailed for killing Canadian Leo del Pinto in Pai, Mae Hong son.

Anuthep looking over the
counter at McAnna

CSI LA the Thai sleuth page, based in the US, has been giving prominence to a couple of police sergeant in Koh Tao, where Scotland Yard officers have been recently on an 'observational tour' relating to the murders of Britons Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

The first one is Anuthep Intachart. He’s the guy who together with the manager of the AC bar in Sairee Beach Koh Tao, chased terrified Scots busker Sean McAnna into a 7/11 after, claimed McAnna, they threatened to hang him from a tree in the jungle on top of the island.

Uthai

More recently CSI LA have been focusing on another called Senior Police Sergeant Major 'Chet' Apichet – seen with peaked baseball cap pictured behind the Scotland Yard ‘Scenes of Crime’ officer on Sairee Beach below.

The links between police and the island 'families' seem almost incestuous if one follows CSI LA or even Manager magazine.

Apparently there have been a few attempts to lead CSI LA up the garden path and Chet's sister appears to be part of it but I am not following that very closely.

Trouble is nowadays with all these moustaches it really is difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, so I am not going to try.

Sergeant Somchai seen here planting a kiss on the cheek of Vanessa Arscott before he executed her – well he ran her over then shot her three times in the head, face, and neck, is not one of the good guys.

But he was Policeman of the Year in Kanchanaburi at the height of Thaksin Shinawatra's war on drugs, so we can't be right all of the time.

Somchai had claimed he did not know Vanessa. This picture was produced to prove the lie.

Today (Monday) - lots of these police will be up before the National Human Rights Commission.

JAIL AND DEPORTATION FACE PATTAYA'S 'MOST CREDIBLE BUSINESSMAN'

FEMME FATALE ALSO GETS TWO YEARS

Unlikely Bonnie and Clyde

Drew Walter Noyes an American confidence trickster who posed as a lawyer in Thailand was jailed for two years at Pattaya Provincial Court today for attempted extortion.

And with him to the cells went Wanrapa Boonsu (‘Kung’) his female sidekick who helped him play the big shot entrepreneur in the resort city.

Noyes, 59, and Boonsu, an unlikely Bonnie and Clyde, ran between them a series of projects by using a fake legal company and their Pattaya Times newspaper to cash in on foreigners investing in the Thai resort.

Noyes posed as a 'friendly, reassuring and most credible businessman' while Wanrapa played the part of his engaging companion and femme fatale.

They started an 'Expats Club', a branch of 'Optimists International'.

They even set up a 'Police' website inviting people to report crimes direct to them.

They had been separated for years but put on a show of being husband and wife for business reasons.

But they were undone when the owner of a beauty clinic in their resort called their bluff.

Using Australian former brothel owner David Hanks as their emissary they set about a scheme to defraud the Thonglor Clinic in Jomtien out of seven million baht and Hanks, 66, turned up at the clinic in Thappraya Road, Jomtien, seeking facial treatment.

Hanks told Australian Michael Goulet, a partner in the clinic, that he was formerly in the sex trade in Australia, that he knew the Chinese mafia, and that his boss (Noyes) wanted to see him to show how he could smoothly operate a clinic in Pattaya. That involved paying cash to Noyes.

When Goulet contacted Noyes he was told that he needed to pay seven million baht to stop a police raid on the premises, where, presumably, illegal substances would be found. Noyes said he was very well connected.

Mike Goulet points to Drew Noyes and Wanrapa Boonsu after their arrest in March 2012

But Goulet had checked out Noyes on the internet and found out his real background on andrew-drummond.com. Together with his partner he called the police and a ‘sting’ operation was put into place.

Goulet recorded his calls and calls from Wanrapa to him telling him to hurry up with the cash. Then Pattaya police arranged for 100,000 baht to be put into a suitcase as a ‘down payment’.

Hanks, Boonsu and Noyes were all waiting in the Swedish owned ‘News Restaurant’ when Goulet arrived to make a down payment in March 2012 – when police pounced. But they arrested only Noyes and Boonsu.

The Thonglor Clinic was indeed raided by officers of the Crime Suppression Division, but nothing illegal was found.

Stories on andrew-drummond.com had highlighted Noyes dubious career in the United States, where he was exposed for dodgy property and share dealing, sexual harassment, and having a totally fake biography.

But Noyes' and Wanrapa’s arrest for extortion almost finished it for them among the English speaking community in Pattaya.

The raid however did not deter Noyes and Boonsu and using their PAPPA Co Ltd, later the company One Stop Service Center, they continued to milk foreigners, who did not check Google, of their cash.

They have since settled with two victims, one who was enticed into buying condos of the National Housing Authority at twice their real price (but advertised as 40 per cent discounted) and another who gave Drew Noyes and Boonsu 2.5 million baht as a settlement to his girlfriend – The cash of course never reached the girlfriend.

Too well known in the English speaking community in Pattaya they turned to Russians and East Europeans for a new source of income. And Drew Noyes was able to produce scores of his old pictures of himself with police and local dignitaries to convince them of his high standing and ‘power’ in the local community.

Out of the offices of the One Stop Service Center Hanks, from Girvan, Scotland, was arrested by the DSI for racketeering. He was allegedly caught loaning money to Russians at 60 per cent per month.

And then Hanks and Noyes joined up with Scottish conman and former convict Brian Goudie, aka Brian Goldie, from Falkirk, Scotland, who too was posing as a lawyer in Thailand – a British barrister and a former officer in Britain’s Royal Marines, and who had also been exposed on the andrew-drummond website as a fake.

Hanks, Noyes and Goudie

Between them the three men, who had become known as ‘The Three Stooges’ in sections of the local expat community, embarked on a series of frivolous court cases aimed at gagging Andrew Drummond and depriving him of his income using Thailand’s criminal libel laws and Computer Crime Act.

Fellow publisher Niels Colov of the Pattaya People had been to jail for pimping and other crimes in Copenhagen's Vesterbro

Noyes and Wanrapa both sued Drummond for using a picture of them with the caption ‘Going to Jail’ but both lost even though they had been promised assistance by Neils Colov, of the Pattaya People, the leader of the local foreign police volunteers and also a former pimp in Copenhagen. And today that caption became all too true.

Masquerades - a tacky brothel in an industrial suburb of
Melbourne

The judged ruled that the Noyes-Boonsu defence, that the money was for advertising in their now defunct newspaper ‘The Pattaya Times’, was unbelievable, and ordered Noyes and Boonsu to be taken down.

There was no translator to translate the judgment and Noyes who had arrived at the court suited and smiling, attempted to address the court, but the court policeman, moved him towards the stairs in the well of the court saying: ‘You go now.”

Hanks the former owner of ' Masquerades' brothel in Keysborough, Melbourne, who was in court, left quickly after the verdict.

Mike Goulet of the Thonglor Clinic said he was delighted with the result.

“I have informed the Lions Club of Silom 310D branch what has happened to their President.”
Andre Machielsen, who has clashed with Noyes in the courts added: “Splendid. This decision has given me goose bumps”.

Said Andrew Drummond: "That's two down and two to go. The others are going shortly I hope."

This afternoon on Noyes Facebook site seemingly cocking a snook at the Pattaya Court he wrote: "Having a great day eating pizza and spending time with the children."

Noyes is expected to seek bail and appeal.

THE STORY IN 2011 WHICH BROKE NOYES' COVER

THE STORY WHICH BROKE GOUDIE'S COVER

#DrewNoyes #WanrapaBoonsu #BrianGoudie #DavidHanks

The British Government has supported moves by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand calling on the Thai authorities to review ‘frivolous’ criminal defamation cases brought against a veteran British foreign correspondent, who has been investigating foreign crime in Thailand.

Britain’s Ambassador Mark Kent and FCCT President Jonathan Head, the BBC’s South East Asia Correspondent have expressed their concern independently to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok.

Jonathan Head described the cases as ‘frivolous’ and that Drummond’s case was clear cut example of people misusing the court system to prohibit freedom of the press.

A meeting has also taken place with senior officials of the Thai Supreme and Appeals Courts attended by the FCCT President. Part of the problem identified was poor policing of foreign fraudsters in Thailand.

Convicted extortionists posing as business leadersgatecrash National Law Day at Pattaya Court. His is the head to the left
and behind the woman in red. His female partner in crime is to thre right of the man in purple shirt - Pattaya Times

Andrew Drummond has been sued in multiple cases by several foreign ‘businessmen’ – two who have posed falsely as lawyers in Thailand – whom he says make a living out of cheating other foreigners.

Two of the three have been sentenced to jail for criminal convictions of dishonesty and a third, says Drummond, was a former brothel owner in Australia, who was arrested in Thailand in an operation by the Department of Special Investigation against racketeering in Pattaya.

Drummond has successfully fought off all but one case over the last three years – and is appealing that decision.

H.E. Mark Kent

So far, he says, he has been lucky that supporters of his website www.andrew-drummond.com have contributed generously towards defence funds.

The Thai court system does not award costs if cases are brought maliciously and without any substance. It is incumbent upon the defendant to pay lawyers to bring cases to get his costs back and damages. And enforcing court monetary orders can be problematic.

The FCCT issued the following statement today:

"The Foreign Correspondents' Club is giving its support to journalist Andrew Drummond in his efforts to get a series of criminal defamation cases against him reviewed by the Thai authorities.

Jonathan Head

The number of cases filed by the same litigants, or people connected to them, strongly suggests they are using Thailand's criminal defamation law to try to stop Mr. Drummond from carrying out his legitimate role as a journalist.

Mr. Drummond has been required by these cases to make repeated bail payments and court appearances in different locations. The questionable backgrounds of the people who have filed these cases should offer sufficient grounds for the Thai authorities to review the cases.

“The FCCT has already expressed its concern over Mr. Drummond's situation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our position on Mr. Drummond is also supported by the British Embassy.

Misuse of the criminal defamation law to prevent a journalist from working would be a serious infringement of media freedom in Thailand, and the FCCT urges the Thai authorities to investigate the cases against Mr. Drummond."

The Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement last year: “We stand beside reporter Andrew Drummond whose investigative journalism is renowned for shining uncomfortable lights in some of Thailand’s darkest places. We strongly support the right to report without fear of reprisal and categorically condemn the threat of imprisonment he now faces.”

The CPT said that Thailand’s Criminal Libel and Computer Crime Act laws 'had outrageously allowed imprisonment for ‘mere news reporting’.

Andrew Drummond is a former Fleet Street staffer who moved to Asia over 20 years ago. He formerly worked for the broadsheet News of the World (which he left during the Wapping dispute in 1986), Daily Mail, and Evening Standard and was a founder member of the Observer Film Company having covered SE Asia for the paper's Foreign Desk. He has written,produced and investigated a number of documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, and ITV networks. He currently spcecialises in transnational crime. He is single father who lives in Bangkok with his three children and nanny. His recent reports on the murders on the Thai island of Koh Tao have pushed his investigations website to over 1 million page views a month.

A journalist's fight against foreign crooks in Thailand

FIRST BARREL DISCHARGED ON PLAINTIFF'S FOOT

(Flying Sporran Comment)

British Migrant Workers Right's Campaigner Andy Hall was today acquitted of libel by a Thai court - delivering a blow to Thailand's foot-shooting propensity for allowing victims of bad news to shoot the messengers.

Twitter Pic - Jonathan Head

And while the messengers have been in the main foreign journalists, or like Hall, rights activists, the ensuing publicity seems for the plaintiffs to be self defeating. Outside the court Burmese migrant workers held placards and red roses saying 'We Love Andy Hall'.

(This rather flies in the face of a TV 3 'investigation', er, stitch-up, which tried to demonstrate that Hall paid Burmese workers to lie about conditions at Natural Fruit's main factory).

And according to Finnwatch today there will be demonstrations in support of Andy Hall in Britain, the US, the Netherlands and Finland.

But this of course does not deter the Natural Fruit Company whose alleged ill-treatment of Burmese migrant workers was the subject of a rather scathing Finnwatch Report. The second of another three cases brought by Natural Fruit begins tomorrow in Nakon Pathom court - this is a civil case for US$10 million, which I can confidently say Mr. Hall does not have.

One could argue outside the court that the US$10 million worth of damages to Natural Fruit has been self inflicted. There's that shot-gun again. But counsel for Hall will probably take a more pragmatic approach like many Thai companies which have decided to talk over and address where necessary criticism leveled at them rather than take the offensive.

The judge in today's case actually said that the case, which centred around an interview on al jazeera should not have taken place in Thailand (even though the story was on the net)

That's an interesting position - as one of three businessmen suing me is suing for a story published in a newspaper in Scotland. Och Aye.

And we have also to await the case of the Royal Thai Navy suing Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison, and Chutima Sidasathian for publishing part of a Reuters report - not the much more damning stuff they have done on an international slave trade going on before their very eyes.

Here follows the Finnwatch statement:

Finnwatch researcher Andy Hall trial in Thailand: Charge is dismissed due to unlawful interrogation process

The Prakanong Court in Bangkok dismissed defamation charge brought against Andy Hall by Natural Fruit Company Ltd, a pineapple export factory. Natural Fruit has launched multiple criminal and civil prosecution against the researcher and activist since February 2013 as a result of his contribution to a Finnwatch report published in 2013. The report revealed serious human rights violations at Natural Fruit's pineapple juice production facilities.

According to the court decision the charge is dismissed due to unlawful interrogation process under section 120 of the criminal procedure code.

- We are relieved and glad that justice has prevailed in this case, says Sonja Vartiala, the Executive Director of Finnwatch.

During Andy Hall's trial, the court heard, for instance, a former worker of Natural Fruit who testified that the factory was hiring under aged children and paid unlawfully low salaries to its workers.

- The court hearings were yet another confirmation that, as Finnwatch’s report revealed, there are serious problems in working conditions at Natural Fruit. The question that now must be asked is why Thailand's authorities have not taken action against the company however, says Vartiala.

The case verdict today, concerning an interview Hall gave to Aljazeeraa on his criminal prosecutions, is just the first of four cases filed against Andy Hall by Natural Fruit. The second case, a US$10m civil defamation case, will begin tomorrow (30th of October) at Nakhon Pathom Court. The third case, computer crimes act and criminal defamation charges, will proceed on 17th of November at the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court. Dates for a fourth US$4 million civil case have not yet been confirmed.

If Hall is found guilty of the additional criminal and civil cases, he could face up to seven years in prison and be forced to pay millions of Euros for compensation.

– Finnwatch demands Natural Fruit now drop all the charges against Andy Hall. Instead of allowing companies to bring human rights activists to court, Thailand needs to prosecute companies like Natural Fruit, who are violating labour rights, says Vartiala.

Finnwatch and hundreds of other international NGO’s regard the court proceedings against Andy Hall as judicial harassment and see that his important and successful work is being seriously hindered by these actions.

AND DREW HAS NO NEED TO PAY BAIL!

"PATTAYA COURT MADE MISTAKE NOT SENDING 'SACKED' REPORTER TO JAIL!"

The following just arrived from Somchai Drew Noyes' ''spokesman', who claimed two days ago that his alter-ego would be found not guilty using the expression: 'Its not what you know - its who you know".

Drew Noyes was together with Wanrapa Boonsu jailed for two years for extortion. The sentence was not suspended. He can of course appeal.

The letter is being published in the interests of balance and to allow the author to show his best side.

Earlier today Noyes published a picture of himself reading the 'Bangkok Post' in the Tara Court, Irish pub, on Pratamnak Hill, Pattaya with the caption:

"It's good they have anti-corruption police in Thailand to investigate and correct injustices".

Somchai writes"

"More rubbish reporting from the sacked News of the World reporter. Lets make this clear. Drew Noyes has never been to Jail. He is not in Jail. He will never go to Jail. Yesterday he spent no time in the cells as Drummond reported falsely as usual.

Drew did not pay any bail. It was not required. He is a free man. Do a runner? No need.
The above report is more exaggerated rubbish to trick the naive handful of readers that actually read this shit. Some people really need to get a life of their own instead of obsessing about those who are successful.

Andrew Drummond is currently serving a criminal sentence which through a court error was suspended for 2 years.

I see Drew's business has never been busier. He mentioned to me recently he has never been wealthier. His wealth grows faster than he can spend it. Travelling the world with his children.

His children will be attending the very best schools in the USA, while Andrew's will be attending budget Thai schools. And that is a fact.

There are many ways to skin a cat.

*Drew Noyes was sentenced shortly before lunch. He left the cells shortly after 7 pm yesterday.
A picture of him having lunch with his children which he put on Facebook was 'historic' and taken in Bangkok.

BRITISH POLICE TO BE ALLOWED TO CHECK DNA AND TORTURE CLAIMS

KOH TAO - WHAT WILL BRITISH DETECTIVES FACE?

MEN IN SUITS COULD AVOID THAILAND'S PROPOSED TOURISM SCREENING LAWS

EVIDENCE OF TORTURE SEEMS LIKELY IN KOH TAO ENQUIRY

POLICE CO-OPERATION ON KOH TAO MURDERS: ‘OH YES THEY WILL, OH NO THEY WON'T WON’T’

‘TAKE THE RAP FOR THAILAND’ – BURMESE WORKER TOLD. ‘YOU OWE IT TO US’

BRITISH JOURNALIST WINS CASE AGAINST 'MAFIA' MAN CALLED ‘BABYFACE’

KOH TAO MURDERS - CONFESSIONS WITHDRAWN TORTURE COMPLAINTS CONFIRMED

FUND SET UP FOR DEFENCE IN KOH TAO MURDER CASE

LET US CHECK THE QUALITY OF TOURISTS TO OUR ILLEGAL HOTELS WITH LECHEROUS STAFF

DOCTOR HELD AFTER BRITISH WOMAN DIES IN BANGKOK BEAUTY CLINIC

KOH TAO - THE 'CLAIMED THREATS' BY THAI POLICE

BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONCERNED OVER ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN KOH TAO MURDER INVESTIGATION

FAKE BRITISH LAWYER UP ON MORE CHARGES

Cosmetic Surgeon on ‘reckless killing’ charge – but what about his company?

Koh Tao Murders - Don’t Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major

LIONS CLUB PRESIDENT JAILED FOR EXTORTION - 'YOU GO NOW!' NOYES TOLD AS HE IS TAKEN TO CELLS

BRITISH EMBASSY AND FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS BACK BRITISH JOURNALIST'S FIGHT AGAINST FOREIGN CRIMINALS

ANDY HALL IN SHOTGUN VICTORY OVER BURMESE MIGRANT LABOUR REPORT

'DREW NOYES WILL NEVER GO TO JAIL', SAYS SOMCHAI