Thai police investigating the brutal killings of two British holiday-makers are facing fresh criticism after crime scene photos were leaked online.

The images appear to show the mutilated bodies of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, both of whom were found dead on the island of Koh Tao earlier this month.

Each of the five horrific photos – which are too graphic to publish in a family newspaper – are thought to have been taken by officers probing the double murder, for which there is still no confirmed suspect.

The leak represents another blunder by bungling local police who have been accused of contaminating vital evidence in the hunt for those responsible.

They have also been accused of leading a “clueless” haphazard investigation, with constantly shifting theories and suspects, while Thailand’s military ruler was also forced to apologise for suggesting foreigners visiting the country’s beaches would be unsafe wearing bikinis.

Former top cop Joe Jackson, who led a number of high-profile murder probes in Scotland before retiring, said: “The way the Thai police have carried out their investigation is beyond belief. There has been a number of mistakes in almost every aspect of their analysis.”

Thai police chiefs have sent more than 150 officers to the island after the bodies of Hannah, 23, and David, 24, were found on September 15.

It is believed both backpackers – who had been out socialising with friends the night before – were bludgeoned to death with a garden hoe found lying nearby.

The images leaked online show the extent of the injuries both tourists sustained in what police described as “a gruesome” attack.

They are believed to have been taken by forensic officers documenting the scene. Observers have been critical of Thai police – and the fact they failed to seal off the beach where the murders took place.

They were also slammed for the time it took for a thorough forensic examination of the crime scene and its surrounding area to be carried out after the bodies were found.

Mr Jackson said: “Their policing seems to be operating 20 years behind us. Their handling of forensic evidence appears to be seriously compromised and that will undoubtedly cause them problems if they ever get someone into court.”

It emerged last night Thai police have put up a reward of more than £13,000 in a bid to catch the killers.

News of the incentive comes as a group of footballers were questioned by detectives investigating the murders.

A Royal Thai Police spokesman confirmed DNA samples were taken from “more than eight” footballers who reportedly threw a late-night party at the nightclub where the victims spent their final hours.

Post-mortems revealed that Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds, while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

POLICE WIDEN NET IN HUNT FOR SUSPECTS Murder probe DNA testing ‘nearly done’ Published: 28 Sep 2014 at 06.10 - NewsWriter: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai
Results from more than 200 DNA tests conducted in the Koh Tao double murder investigation should be completed by tomorrow, the head of the police forensic unit said.

It comes as investigators admitted several people of interest in the case have already left the tiny resort island, forcing police to widen their net to cover Koh Samui, Don Sak and Muang districts of Surat Thani province. Pol Lt Gen Kamrob Panyakaew, chief of the Office of Police Forensic Science, said his staff were working 24 hours a day analysing DNA samples due to the urgency of the case.

He said results were being forwarded to police investigators on a case-by-case basis as they were completed. "We expect all the results within the next couple of days," Lt Gen Kamrob said on Friday. He said all the testing was blind and he could not comment on whether two suspects named last week — Koh Tao village headman Woraphan Tuwichian, 49, and his brother Montriwat Tuwichian, 45 — had already been cleared.

Police investigators on Saturday said they were aware of around 20 individuals who had been within a 600-metre radius of the crime scene between 2am and 4am on the night of the murder.

3 sought for Koh Tao murders
Published: 29 Sep 2014 at 06.58 NewsWriter: Supapong Chaolan
Police investigators say they believe three people were involved in the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao in Surat Thani on Sept 15.

"Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder," Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said Sunday after a meeting with investigators to discuss case updates.

The murders of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, occurred in the early hours of the morning after they left AC Bar.

"We're confident we have a very high chance of finding the suspects," the senior police officer said.

"I'm not worried [about high public expectations] because I know how much the probe has been progressing. We just have to follow forensic results," he added.

Investigators on Sunday seized three guitars from a shelter of Myanmar workers for examination. One of them was hidden without anyone admitting ownership but the other two had owners, police sources said.

Police also have also approached seven Thai football players living in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Muang districts for DNA samples. They joined a traditional football match on Koh Tao on Sept 14.

Pol Lt Gen Panya said police have set up a special team to probe rumours, unconfirmed information and tips from the public.

Meanwhile, results from more than 200 DNA tests conducted in Koh Tao should be ready Monday, the head of the police forensic unit says.

Pol Lt Gen Kamrob Panyakaew, chief of the Office of Police Forensic Science, said his staff were working 24 hours a day analysing DNA samples.

Two different semen samples collected from Witheridge's body are the basis for the DNA analysis. Testing confirmed the semen belonged to Asians.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao Sunday in a bid to restore confidence.

Ms Kobkarn proposed a tourism centre should be set up on the island to improve security measures.

She said tourist police officers would work full-time at the centre and the ministry would bring in two helicopters for use in the event that air transport was necessary.

sadly. David and Hannah put themselves in harms way, and, it cost them their lives.

it is amazing how a seemingly innocent act, can become so tragic, so fast.

David may have fought, but, after being hit in the back of the head by a piece of rebar, he had no chance and was quickly drowned.
the poor girl was then defenseless and the last 10 minutes of her life, was painful and gory.

hopefully, her adrenalin and other chemicals caused her to feel less pain

phuketrichard wrote:all this bullshit that is being posted here does not help the police.