Saturday, October 4, 2014

Two Britions killed on Ko Tao -
What are the Dangers at Thailands Beaches?

See the locations on Ko Tao Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Picture by Joe Stump
Full Moon Party on Ko Phangan

How To Stay Safe On Thai Islands? This question has been raised after the murder of a British couple on Ko Tao. Travel writer Mel Larcombe has some answers. She writes about the bad name of Ko Phangan full moon parties, rape culture in Thailand and women who date Thai men.
"Thailand’s beach parties are fuelled by ecstasy, magic-mushroom pizzas and everything in between", notes Joe Shute for telegraph.co.uk. He notes that things can get violent, when conservative Buddhist culture and "the worst behaviour that Western hedonism has to offer" are clashing.
An insight about Ko Tao has been published by the blog MikeE's Travels. He writes about mafia-style families (known as Chao Pho “เจ้าพ่อ” in Thai) operating in the Gulf of Thailand on islands such as Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Samui and the power structures on Ko Tao. He describes the presence of drugs on Ko Tao and how people can become violent on drugs. And he describes the habit of the police, to set up check points, "not to catch and charge foreigners for drug possession, but to use the threat of criminal sanction as leverage in order to extort cash off them". And he describes "motorbike rental extortion". Bikes that are returned with any damage, "no matter how small result in massive costs for the renter." Those who argue with a rental company "risk physical violence, and there have been multiple reports of on tripadvisor of firearms being pulled on those who argue with the rental company".


Later in 2014
The two men from Myanmar charged with murder have retracted their confessions and said, Thailand police turtured them. Their court trial is set to start in July 2015. A team formed by the Burmese government to investigate the Koh Tao case has announced that it is confident the two Burmese nationals accused of the double murder are innocent of the crime.

4.10.2014
Rape suspects charged: Two illegal migrant workers from Myanmar have been charged with violent rape leading to death and murder in connection with the killings of two British citizens on Koh Tao, reports The Nation. The men have also been charged with illegal entry into Thailand. Acting commander of the police Institute of Forensic Medicine, Pol Lt-General Manoo Mekmok, said two semen samples found on the female murder victim matched that from Win and Saw. The men worked at AC Pub.

24.9.2014:
New twist in murder of two Brits in Koh Tao: As Thai PBS reports, Woraphan Toovichien, 49, a village headman and owner of AC Bar which is located near the murder scene, and his brother, Montriwat Toovichien, owner of In Touch resort and caretaker of AC Bar, have been interrogated by Police. DNA samples of the two brothers were collected for testing and were later proved to not match with DNA collected from the scene and the victim’s body. Both were later freed. Eigth Region Police Command commissioner Pol-Lt Panya Mamen said both men gave good cooperation and answer all questions.

23.9.2014:

One tourist murder suspect now arrested on Ko Tao, another on the run: The police have arrested a suspect in the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao and are hunting for a second suspect who has escaped into Bangkok, reports Thai PBS. The arrested man is the brother of a former village headman on Ko Tao. The man on the run is the son of the village headman. Eigth Region Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen denied, that local influential people on Ko Tao could be an obstacle to the police investigation.
There are rumours, that Thailands Primeminister and military junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha is asking the regional police every day about their progress in the investigation, after his promises, to fight corruption among the police forces in Thailand, and to prevent damage from Thailand as destination of tourists.

19.9.2014:
A British backpacker, interrogated by Thailands police about the killings on Ko Tao, is a free man again: Pol Lt General Panya Mamen, commander of Police Region 8 informed media, that the British man is no longer supected and can leave Thailand. Also migrant workers from Myanmar on Ko Tao have been cleared from suspects. DNA probes taken by police did not match with any of 12 supects until now, writes The Nation. Meanwhile, Surat Thani Governor Chatpong Chatraphuti said Koh Tao would no longer be allowed to host spin-offs of the full-moon party that has been drawing hordes of backpackers to the neighbouring Koh Pha-ngan. "We don't want any more crimes," he said.


18.9.2014

British backpacker arrested for suspected murder of fellow Britons at Koh Tao? Surat Thani police yesterday "arrested a British tourist after he was suspected to have connection with the deaths of two fellow Britons in Koh Tao", reports Thai PBS. Police said the suspect urgently left the island on the first ferry to the mainland the day after the murder was discovered. But other sources say, that the British man has been stopped at Suvarnabhumi Airport while trying to leave Thailand and asked by police to remain in Thailand for further investigation. AFP also reported a second Briton has been asked to remain in the country. "They are not yet suspects ... but we have asked them to cooperate until the case becomes clear," deputy national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung told the news agency according to Bangkok Post. Later Bangkok Post reported that the British man was detained.


17.9.2014

Video 'mystery man' suspected in Koh Tao murders: Police are trying to identify an Asian-looking man captured on security camera footage who is now a prime suspect in the grisly murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao, reports Bangkok Post.


16.9.2014 Ko Tao murder manhunt focusing on migrant labourers: The police search among migrant workers from Myanmar on Ko Tao, as Bangkok Post reports.

David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found killed on Monday, September 15, after they had met on Ko Tao, living in neighbouring rooms at the Ocean View Bungalows. The victims' bodies were found around 6:30am after they had gone out together.

Checkpoints have been set-up on the island's two piers, and local police called for reinforcements from Koh Pha-ngan, while high seas prevented ferries and boats from leaving, as The Nation reports.

Thailands Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered police to swiftly wrap up the case, to prevent damage to the country's reputation as a tourist destination.

Follow the news from Ko Tao on Twitter.


Read more about Ko Tao เกาะเต่า


Sunday, July 6, 2014

Ko Khai Islands overcrowded by Masstourism

See the locations on Thailand Islands and Beaches Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Picture by shinjung_69

Picture by mastahanky
Fish around Khai Nok islands

Picture by Wilson Loo


The white sand beaches of Ko Khai Nai เกาะไข่ใน, Ko Khai Nok and Ko Khai Nui, 15 minutes from Phukets Laem Hin Pier by speedboat, have been reached by mass tourism. A lot of boat trips stop at these islands. There is not much more to do than lying on one of hundreds of deck chairs and pay 300 Baht for that or do some snorkeling.

Ko Khai Nai เกาะไข่ใน:

Picture by sashapo

Picture by sashapo

Picture by Dickson@flickr


Ko Khai Nok นกที่เกาะไข่:

Picture by Qsimple, Memories For The Future Photography

Picture by Qsimple, Memories For The Future Photography


Ko Khai Nui: It is a private island and you find here Chokdee Restaurant & Bar.


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Ko Nang Yuan เกาะนางยวน

See the location on Ko Nang Yuan เกาะนางยวน Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Picture by ccdoh1

Ko Nang Yuan เกาะนางยวน is a small private island near Ko Tao with three photogenic bays and two 50 meters long white sand beaches, that can get very crowded during the day, when visits are allowed (from 10 am to 5 pm) and many boats from Ko Tao arrive. Before and afterwards it's very quiet. But many reviews on tripadvisor comment the same way: Paradiese lost. Koh Nang Yuan is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving destination. There are 5 scuba diving spots around the island: White Rock, Nang Yuan Rock or Red Rock, Green Rock, Japanese Gardens, Twin Peaks. The Japanese Gardens are also a snorkeling spot.

Picture by adliblues


Where to stay:

Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort: From 1200 Bath. Dont expect perfect evening dinners: the crew will be tired from serving the masses of visitors arriving during the day.

Picture by ccdoh1

Picture by Flightspeed

Picture by Dirk Enthoven


How to arrive:

By Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran.


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Ko Kho Khao เกาะคอเขา - A Hideaway on the Andaman Sea

See the locations on Ko Kho Khao เกาะคอเขา Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Picture by ON EYES PHOTOGRAPHY

Ko Koh Kao เกาะคอเขา, until now untouched by mass tourism, with a population of only around 1,000 people spread over 64 square kilometers, lies just a few hundred meters off Takua Pa. Four beaches on the west coast are fronting the Andaman Sea. Nok Nah Beach up north is as long as about a fifth of the island’s coastline and the most rugged beach. Bang Neang Beach is a long stretch of white sand. When you cross the Chan Kaow Canal you reach Thung Tuk Beach. Several seaside residences are being developed in this area for long time visitors. Finally comes Pak Koh Beach, where most of the resorts and restaurants are clustered around. So here you are among the crowds, while you can enjoy lonely beaches up north. "The waters are slightly murky and lack the pristine aquamarine hues of Ko Surin, to the west, but the beaches still make for great swimming, romantic walks and dazzling sunsets", writes travelfish.org.

On Ko Kho Khao you can still feel on a hideaway. You can even see egg-laying turtles. And you can ride on elephants along the beach, go bird watching or kayaking in the canals.

From Ko Kho Khao you can reachcan the Similan Islands and Koh Surin. The archipelago of Koh Similan is well known for rich marine flora and fauna and therefore for diving and snorkelling activities. West of Ko Kho Khao lies Koh Pa, a small island with coral reefs.

From Baan Nam Khem port there are longtail boats from 7 am till 18 pm. There is a car ferry as well. On the island you find Tuk Tuks and Songthaew Taxis. There are a ATMs near the pier at Baan Pak Koh.

Ko Kho Khao has monsoon rains from May until October. Be aware that several resorts close between April and November. Read more and see pictures in Khaolak Magazine.

Due to its flat landscape Ko Kho Khao was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. "Many locals chose not to return and rebuild", knows travelfish.org.

Picture by ObscuraDK


Where to stay on Ko Kho Khao

Anandah Beach Resort:


Andaman Princess Resort & Spa:


C&N Kho Kho Khao Beach Resort: From 2300 Bath. 89 Moo3, Kho khao Island, Takuapa. They grow their own vegetables. The hotel keeps the beach debris free every morning. With pool. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.


Ha-Pla Beach Cottage:


Ko Kho Khao Resort:


Paradis Villa:


Pranee Beach Bungalows:


The Kib Resort & Spa:


The Tacola Resort & Spa:


Read more:
Ko Kho Khao travel guide


Khao Lak Hotels and Resorts - and Reviews by Guests who have been there

See the locations on Khao Lak Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Chongfah Resort: From 3500 Bath. 54/1 Moo 5, T.Kukkak. The Boutique Hotel doesn't have much of a beach, as they have built a wall and rocks to hold back the sea, but an infinity pool. They offer free bycicles. Excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by Percy

Picture by Percy

Picture by Percy

Picture by Percy