Koh Tau Murders Lead to Increased Protection for Tourists
Earlier in the year, Thailand witnessed several street protests as a military coup took over to overthrow the Shinawatra administration. The military imposed a nationwide curfew to disband protestors and bring stability to the country. Although it was lifted in early June, the curfew took a huge toll on Thailand’s tourist industry -- nightlife plays a huge role for Thailand’s tourists. Tourism has been slowly rebuilding itself since then. However, the recent murder case in Koh Tao serves as a threat to this reassembling industry. Thailand is concerned for its tourists and is taking measures for higher protection.
Koh Tao, also known, as the “Turtle Island” is small region located in the western shore of the gulf of Thailand. Unlike its contemporary tourist attractions, Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao has been uninhabited in the 1950s, and had just started gaining tourists in the 90s. Currently, it is still a relatively smaller tourist attraction. Violence and murders are more common in the larger islands, where nightlife plays a crucial role. A murder case in Ko Tao, however, is uncommon. Locals, distressed by the case, claimed, “nothing like this has ever happened on Koh Tao before.” Moreover, Westerners exist in tightly knit communities where everyone knows each other. Both locals and Westerners were appalled when British backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were brutally murdered. The bodies were discovered on the beach the following morning. Post mortem examinations reveal rape on Ms. Witheridg, lethal head wounds, and other heavy assault on both parties. Mr. Miller, in addition, shows evidence of drowning.
The incidence stirred tension between the police and the island’s inhabitants as the case remained unsolved for 3 weeks. Suspects, including Thai, Burmese, and Westerners, were investigated. The locals were upset by their acquaintances being taken into custody, claiming that a Thai local in the region would never commit such a crime. The deaths of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge now bring the total number of British citizens murdered in Thailand since 2009 to 13. DNA analyses ruled out the Western and Thai suspects much to the relief of both parties. Recently, 3 Myanmar migrant workers were detained as suspects. However, no official arrests have been made yet.
“Major General Kiattipong Khawsamang said two of three migrant workers being questioned had admitted murdering the pair. The third man has denied involvement but police still believe three people were involved in the attacks. Every male who was on the island at the time of the deaths was swabbed for DNA in the hope of catching the culprits.”
On September 30th, Thailand announced its plans to produce voluntary special wristbands carrying personal details for tourists. Hotels will be distributing these wristbands to all their tourists.
"If anything happens to them we will then know their names, nationality and hotel. We are not going into their personal information - it's just the details they filled out on the immigration form already " said Arnuparp Gaesornsuwan, director general of the Department of Tourism. “In case they (tourists) get drunk and fall asleep on the beach we can bring them back to their hotels," Apichai Ti-armataya, commander of the Tourist Police, further added.
The department of tourism is also further planning to reduce partying hours by keeping all-night bars and clubs in check. A “buddy system” pairing tourists with local minders was also proposed. All ideas may further lead to the decline of tourism in Thailand since hoards of young backpackers travel each year, not only to enjoying the beach, but also to participate in heavy nightlife activities.
Authorities are greatly concerned about the tourist industry in light of current events since tourism accounts for nearly 10% of the nation’s GDP. Although the curfew has been lifted, Thailand is still under martial law since the May 22 coup. Tourists have already been declining because of violent street protests and political instability within the country. Tourists arriving in Thailand dropped by 10.9% from July to August. Tourism also fell 11.9% in August from the year earlier.