Off road jeep tour accident in Samui kills one and injures six



KOH SAMUI: -- At around 11-30 Wednesday morning an off road tour vehicle lost control in Namuang and rolled, landing on its roof.

Reports suggest that six Chinese tourists were badly hurt in the accident and one lady believed to be German died of her injuries in Bangkok Samui Hospital.

*Update, it has been confirmed that a 27 year old German woman has died as a result of this accident.


-- Samui Times 2015-08-06
 

Plea urgent from Resident Samui

Samui KOH: - On the 18th of August a local Villa in Bophut was burgled while everyone was sleeping the thieves forced their Way into the Living Room and Making off with the valuables following:

Nikon DSLR Camera
Nikon Small White
Louis. Vitton Bag
1 x Iphone 6 Black
1 x Iphone 5 Black
1 x Iphone 5 White
1 x Iphone 4 White
1 x Ipod blue
1 x Panasononic Video Camera

The Goods are Insured and the Resident is not concerned About this, there is however the only Video. Child's footage of his birth on the SD cards and As such He is offering a reward for the Large Return of the SD card / s. If You have any information please Contact Editor@samuitimes.com. , announced on August 18 at a villa in the pond. pop has stolen the house and stealing, while homeowners slept through the articles below for Camera Nikon DSLR 1 handset camera Nikon white small wallet Louis William Tong 1 IPhone 6 black. 1 Black 1 IPhone 5 IPhone 5 White 1, White IPhone 4 1 blue, 1 x IPod video camera. Panasonic owners do not expect to get the refund. But what I most nights because there is an SD card video, at the birth, and many pictures. And if it comes back, it will be rewarded or if anyone has a clue, or find some of these items, please contact Editor@samuitimes.com

-- Samui Times 2015-08-19

A year after the murder of Volker Schwarges friends and family wonder if justice will ever be served



KOH SAMUI: -- Exactly one year ago today German born Volker Schwarges, 46, was beaten and stabbed to death in Soi Green Mango in Chaweng Samui. Police investigating the case soon established that three youths between the ages of 15 and 17 were responsible for the killing that came about after Mr. Volker berated the group for sitting on his motorcycle in the parking lot of the nightclub.

According to Pol.Col. Satit at the time the suspects confessed to punching and stabbing Schwartges in the neck after the argument escalated before they fled the scene unaware the man was dead. The men were quickly apprehended and charged with premeditated murder after a search of the suspects residences turned up a knife that was reportedly used in the attack. However one year on all three men have yet to be convicted, are at large and it appears the case has gone cold.

Friends and family of Schwartges now doubt that anybody will be brought to justice for the killing. Although the case seems to have gone cold in Samui it is still alive in Germany, the Duesseldorfer Express recently ran an article headlined – “Does this murder remain unsolved and unpunished forever?”

Schwartges best friend John M. from Duesseldorf who visited the murdered Volker several times on Samui said he loves Thailand and South East Asia but since the murder he does not dare to set one foot on what he now calls an “evil island”

-- Samui Times 2015-08-20

Koh Samui prison break inmates back behind bars



KOH SAMUI: -- Yesterday (25th August) three inmates of the Koh Samui Provincial Prison took part in a prison break. The trio reportedly made their dash for freedom by jumping four meters from the prison roof, one inmate was injured so jail break badly he was immediately captured, unable to flee the scene.

The other two, a 43 year old from Surat Thani and a 23 year old from Narathiwat managed to escape in their prison fatigues and shackles.

The local police immediately set out to capture the two fugitives and alerted the general public around the areas of Hua Thanon and Namuang with loud hailer trucks. Within two hours the police had apprehended the men, both facing drug charges, one of whom suffered from a suspected broken leg after jumping from the building. The men were still handcuffed together.




-- Samui Times 2015-08-26

French Tourist Dies From Waterfall Plunge in Southern Thailand
By Khaosod English


A rescue operation was conducted at the Na Mueang Song Waterfall on Koh Samui today, where a French tourist died in a fall.

SURAT THANI — A French tourist died and another was seriously injured after they fell from a waterfall on Koh Samui.

The two tourists were found on the rocks near the base of the Na Mueang Song waterfall by police officers and rescue workers, who pronounced one of the victims dead on the scene while the second was transported to hospital with broken bones.

The two tourists were identified as two French men in their early 20s. Rescue workers reportedly spent two hours navigating through tall and slippery precipices to retrieve the body of the deceased.

The surviving tourist broke bones in his leg, hip, rib cage and arms.

Full storyhttp://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441022636&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-09-01

The British Embassy visit to Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- Mrs Jem Wild (Head of Engagement and Customer services) Mr Julian Blewitt (Vice Consul) & Miss Kanokwan Jiwtrakoon (Pro Consul) ,from the Consular section of the British Embassy in Bangkok visited Samui between Max MurphysWednesday 02nd and Friday 04th September 2015.

Consular officials visit the island frequently throughout the year as part of their ongoing duties (Prison visits etc) but on this occasion the team also enjoyed a full itinerary of meetings with local authorities, including Bangkok Airways,the Marine Police and the Tourist Authority of Thailand. On Thursday the Samui Times caught up with the team for lunch at Max Murphys along with Honorary Consul Dave Covey and his lovely wife Mook.

The team returned to Bangkok on Friday evening.

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok

Emergency Consular Assistance (24 hours)

For emergency assistance, such as in the event of the death, assault, arrest or hospitalisation of a British national, call the embassy on +66(0)23058333 and follow the instructions to be connected with consular officers. If you are calling from the UK about a British national in Thailand, call our Consular Assistance Team in London on +44(0)2070081500

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-- Samui Times 2015-09-05

Fortuna flips at Bophut traffic lights



KOH SAMUI: -- At around 8-45am this morning a Toyota Fortuna flipped onto its side at the Bophut traffic lights. An eye witness told the Samui Times that it appeared that the car was attempting to turn right into the Fishermans village when another car clipped it, possibly while attempting to go straight on in the right hand lane.

The incident happened directly outside the Bophut police booth and only a few hundred yards from the Samui rescue station so both police and ambulance were on the scene in seconds. So far there have been no reports of any serious injuries from the incident.

-- Samui Times 2015-09-07 

Italian man killed in a head on collision in Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- Yesterday, September 9th, a 23 year old Italian man was killed after his bike was involved in a head on collision with a truck. The incident took place close to Namuang waterfalls on Samui’s ring road.

When police and rescue workers arrived at the scene they found the body of the deceased and his Yamaha bike around 40 meters away from the Toyota he had collided with, suggesting a high speed impact.

The driver of the truck had left the scene. Police have asked for any eye witnesses to the crash to come forward.


-- Samui Times 2015-09-10

Underage girl rescued from alleged prostitution racket in Koh Samui


Pic: dailynews.co.th

KOH SAMUI:-- On Wednesday, police officers, soldiers and local officials raided a massage shop on Koh Samui as part of a crackdown on prostitution and sex trafficking.

During the raid at the M Massage shop in the Bophut area of the island, officers arrested the shop owner, Amornrat Jansang, 42, along with 6 other people, one of whom was a 16 year old girl, reports Daily News.

It is alleged that Ms Jansang used the shop as a front to run an illegal prostitution ring.

Ms Jansang is now facing charges in connection with offences related to prostitution and the illegal exploitation of a minor.

The 16 year old girl is being looked after by local authority officials, whilst the 5 other women continue to help police with their investigations

Source: Daily News

-- © thaivisa.com 2015-09-11

Thai Murders: DNA 'Does Not Match' Defendants

KOH SAMUI: -- The trial of the men accused of killing two British backpackers hears DNA on the murder weapon does not match the defendants.

A forensics team says DNA found on the murder weapon used in the killing of two British backpackers in Thailand does not match that of the two defendants.

The bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on a beach on the holiday island of Koh Tao last September.

Prosecutors say Miss Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, had been raped and beaten. Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, drowned in the sea after suffering head injuries.

Burmese bar workers Zaw Lin and Wei Phyo, both 22, have pleaded not guilty.

Full story: http://news.sky.com/story/1550571/thai-murders-dna-does-not-match-defendants

-- skyNEWS 2015-09-11
 

SURAT THANI
Forensic team to testify in Koh Tao trial
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION



Aust expert among defence witnesses

KOH SAMUI: -- Officials from the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) will testify today in the defence of two Myanmar suspects who stand accused of murdering two British tourists in Koh Tao.

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director general of the CIFS, said yesterday three CIFS members would testify because they took part in the process of DNA testing and physical examination of the defendants.

"Two of them are doctors and the other is a lab technician," she said.

The CIFS team found that the DNA on the hoe - believed to have been the murder weapon - does not belong to the two Myanmar nationals who are standing trial.

The chief judge had allowed Porntip to retest the hoe at the request of defence lawyers, who are working pro-bono on behalf of the 22-year-old bar workers, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo.

The Koh Samui Provincial Court is looking into the high-profile case after public prosecutors arraigned the two Myanmar migrant workers for the murders.

The murders took place in September last year on Koh Tao, Surat Thani province.

Following weeks of investigations and DNA tests, police arrested and charged the two Myanmar suspects.

Despite initially confessing to |the murders, the two defendents now insist they are innocent and that they had been forced into confessing.

Nakhon Chomphuchat, a lawyer for the defendants, yesterday revealed that a DNA-collection expert from Australia would testify in court tomorrow.

Thai police and public prosecutors have used DNA test results as incriminating evidence against the two Myanmar workers, saying that the DNA found on the female victim's body matched those of the two defendants.

"But we also have to focus on whether the DNA collection is in line with international standards, to begin with," Nakhon said.

On Thursday, members of the National Human Rights Commission and the Lawyers Council of Thailand will testify in court about the human-rights issues surrounding the treatment of the defendants, he said.

"On Friday, we will also have testimony from three witnesses from the Myanmar Embassy," Nakhon said.

He said one of the embassy officials would be an interpreter so as to make clear how the communication barrier and the prejudices of an interpreter could affect the investigation.

Police are accused of using an interpreter from an ethnic group that was unfriendly towards the group to which the two defendants belong.

A highly-placed source yesterday said that although the court would finish listening to witnesses this week, the court would likely take a long time before concluding this case.

"The court will need time to examine further evidence," it said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Forensic-team-to-testify-in-Koh-Tao-trial-30269277.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-22

Irish jockey loses foot after horrific motorbike accident in Thailand

Brendan McDonagh, 23, had his right foot amputated following the incident on the holiday island of Koh Samui

BELFAST: -- A young Irish jockey has lost his foot in a horrific accident while on holiday.

Brendan McDonagh, 23, had his right foot amputated following the accident on the holiday island of Koh Samui in Thailand.

Brendan, from Knockerasser, Moycullen in Co Galway was enjoying the short break in Koh Samui after spending two years as a work rider in Australia.

He had stopped off in Thailand for the holiday on his way back home to Ireland to resume his riding career.

Brendan had hired a motorbike on Koh Samui and was riding it when he was involved in the accident at the weekend. He was rushed to a local hospital with severe injuries and needed emergency surgery.

Doctors were unable to save his right foot and have also operated on a severely broken right arm and damaged shoulder.

He sustained nerve damage to his right side and also has a significant injury to his jaw.

Since the accident he has been heavily medicated to deal with the pain arising from his injuries.

His girlfriend and a number of friends from Moycullen with whom he met up in Thailand have been with him at the hospital.

Today, his brother Gerry and friend Tim Bohan flew out to be at his bedside in Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/young-irish-jockey-loses-footafter-6494093

-- IRISH MIRROR 2015-09-23

Yacht Port Confirmed to be Built in Samui to Attract Tourists

KOH SAMUI: -- Jula Sukmanop the General Director of the Harbor Department has revealed plans to built yacht ports in Krabi and Samui. The Government will carry out a study to choose the most suitable location for the ports, once a decision has been made private organizations will be invest in the project and share their experience in attracting tourists.

Plans are also afoot to adjust the regulations with regards to facilitating foreign yacht and super yacht owners in a bit do attract them to Thailand. Plans include changes in the taxations levied and the period of time yacht owners might be allowed to stay in Thailand longer.

“At the Thailand Yacht Show that will be held on 8-14 February 2014 in Phuket, products and services will be showcased as well as leisure activities such as yacht hire. This will be the first yacht festival in Southeast Asia.”

Mr. Sukmanop went on to say says that the government has supported the project with 15 million Baht with the goal to set Thailand as the center of ASEAN marinas. It is expected that 40 foreign super yachts, 300 yachts, and more than 3,000 people will attend the event.


-- Samui Times 2015-09-23

Korean man found dead in Bophut hotel room

KOH SAMUI: -- A 18.40 on Saturday 26th of October police in Bophut received reports that a man had been found dead in Bophut dead korean for paperhotel room. On arrival at the scene rescue workers discovered the body of a Korean man lying face down naked on the floor at the foot of the bed.

The dead man had trauma to his left cheek and left shoulder. The cause of death is so far unknown, however police did find a lot of herbal medicine in his room. It is believed the man was a keen golfer who had been playing golf on one of Samui’s golf courses. Police are now investigating the case to establish the cause of death.

-- Samui Times 2015-09-27

Foreign tourist drowns off Chaweng beach, Koh Samui

Source: Khaosod

KOH SAMUI:-- An elderly Frenchman has died after drowning in waters off Chaweng beach.

Mr Spengler, 79, is thought to have died after getting into difficulty in shallow water on Sunday.

According to a waiter at the Relax Resort, the man had been staying in a bungalow at the resort since 22 September, reports Khaosod.

The waiter said he saw Mr Spengler drinking at the restaurant of the resort before walking to the beach to presumably go swimming.

A short time later, the waiter said he pulled the man from water after he saw him laying face down and motionless.

The elderly man was taken to the Thai International Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

After searching the man’s room, officers from Bophut police station found medication used to treat asthma and therefore believe the man had an asthma attack in the sea before drowning.

-- © thaivisa.com 2015-09-28

Members of ex pat community call for an action group to deal with Samui’s dirty secret



KOH SAMUI: -- Lurking behind the Koh Samui Provincial prison lies the shame of Koh Samui – over 200,000 tons of stinking, rotting garbage.

In March 2015 the Koh Samui City department announced that it had no available budget to take care of the garbage that is fast becoming a public health issue. During a TV interview the major Mr. Ramnet Jaikwang said that the city municipality budget could take care of trash on a daily basis but had nothing in reserve to deal with the reserve that has banked up over the last eight years. He went on to request the national government to allow supplementary budget to fix the problem. In April, Surat Thani Governor Mr.Chatpong Chatraphuti, along with the government sectors went to inspect the area after Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha commanded the governor to take care of the problem.

Six months on and the incinerator still out of action the mountains of rubbish are no closer to being dealt. The rubbish and waste are now seeping into ponds and rivers making them contaminated and toxic. The buildings at the garbage control unit are abandoned, the windows have been smashed, the staff are long gone and all that remains is a stinking, toxic derelict site despite Major Ramnate Jaikwang being issued an ultimatum from the Governor of Surat Thani some months ago and the army to bring in new contractors to deal with Samui’s garbage crisis, and fix the incinerator that was out of order at the beginning of his term in 2008.

With no end in sight and concerns for not only the health of the inmates in the nearby prison but for the general population of Samui a handful of ex-pats have decided to take matters into their own hands and are now calling for other concerned members of the Koh Samui community to join them in finding solutions to the mounting problem. Poorly managed landfills can cause a number of issues such as pollution of the local environment, contamination of groundwater and the decaying organic waste causing an excess of methane – a potent greenhouse gas that poses problems due to its flammability. The rats and flies around the Samui landfill site now pose a real danger of causing infectious diseases that could be catastrophic for the island and for tourism.

Anybody interested in forming an action group should email l.connell@live.co.uk the new group will be very interested to hear from anybody who can offer time, solutions, donations, technical expertise or liaise with local and national governments.

-- Samui Times 2015-09-28

Teen's plea for Wellington dad Andrew Missen, missing in Thailand
 

Andrew Missen hasn't been heard from in 10 days. 

WELLINGTON: -- The teen daughter of a Wellington man missing in Thailand is pleading for help to find him.

Andrew Missen, a designer who has created furniture for iconic Wellington eateries, failed to return to New Zealand after a trip to the Thai island of Ko Samui.

His family hasn't heard from him for more than 10 days.

His 15-year-old daughter, Teal Edwards-Missen, has made a public plea for information on Facebook:

"My dad, Andrew Missen, has gone missing in Ko Samui an island off Bangkok in Thailand. No one in our family has heard from him in over 10 days," she wrote.

"He's supposed to have arrived back in New Zealand but he never arrived at the airport in Thailand. Attached is a photo of him, please please please share this for me, he's my best friend and we're all so worried."

Full story: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/72542385/teens-plea-for-wellington-dad-andrew-missen-missing-in-thailand

-- STUFF 2015-09-30

Young Australian Attacked in Koh Samui by American Millionaires Son's Charged with Assault

KOH SAMUI – Jack Hansen-Bartel a young Australian who suffered serious facial injuries when he was bashed by two Americans in Thailand is facing assault charges — and his family believe he is being unfairly targeted.

A Thai court held a young Aussie Jack Hansen-Bartel in custody today on a trivial misdemeanor charge concocted by a Chinese-American millionaire whose son and one other are accused of a vicious attack on him last year in Koh Samui.

The same police force which has been involved in the investigation of the murder of Britons Hannah Witheridge.

Jack Hansen-Bartel has required three operations after he had teeth knocked out and his jaw bone shattered in an altercation in a nightclub while on a holiday on Koh Samui.

The two Americans involved, Raymond Chang and Ryan Wang, walked away from the fight unscathed.

“I just remember bleeding profusely — my gum bone [being] all shattered,” Mr Hansen-Bartel told ABC’s Reporters.

He said it started when he met Tiffany Mariko Turner at the beach earlier that day in June last year.

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/young-australian-attacked-in-koh-samui-by-american-millionaires-sons-charged-with-assault.html

-- CHIANGRAI TIMES 2015-10-02

Two women arrested for dealing drugs to foreign tourists on Koh Samui

Image: Dailynews.co.th

SURAT THANI:-- Police have arrested two women who are allegedly involved in selling large quantities of crystal methamphetamine on Koh Samui.

Acting on a tip off and from information gathered as part an undercover operation, police officers and locals officials raided a house in Lamai on Thursday (Oct 1st), where they found 120 grams of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of 360,000 Baht.

According to Daily News, officers arrested Miss Sasitor Yimlamal, 35, and Miss Kanokon Sonnuan, 32,  who allegedly confessed to selling crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’, to foreign tourists and Thai female bar staff working in the Lamai area of the island.

The suspected female drug dealers had been under surveillance from law enforcement officials for some time and are believed to be part of a much larger drug dealing network operating in southern Thailand.

Police charged the pair with possession with intent to sell class 1 drugs and both women are currently behind bars awaiting a court appearance.

-- © thaivisa.com 2015-10-02

German tourist dies from box jellyfish attack in Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- A 20-year-old German tourist died and her friend was injured after she was stung by box jellyfish while swimming at night at Lamai beach in Samui Island last night.

Bophud station police investigator Pol Maj Udomsak Thappa said the police were alerted of the death of Ms Thies Saskia by Bangkok Samui hospital around midnight.

She suffered wounds on both legs, stomach, back and arms, the officer said.

Her friend identified as Jiovana Rassi, also a German tourist, received slight injury as she swam to rescue her friend after hearing she screamed while swimming in the sea in front of Lamai beach.

She is still at hospital for monitoring of the wound.

Investigation later revealed that both tourists checked in at a bungalow on Lamai beach.

Shortly later Bungalow employees heard loud scream from the beach, they rushed to the source of the sound and saw both tourists in the sea.

They cried in pains with wounds believed to be stung by box jellyfishes on their bodies.

They were given primary care by rescue workers of Samui municipal rescue centre with vinegar to relieve their pains, and later rushed to Bangkok Samui hospital.

But Ms Thies Saskia died later from the deadly poisons.

The body of the dead tourist will be flown to Police General Hospital in Bangkok this morning for autopsy.

Jet Ski club president Withaya Suksom, said he was alerted of a large number of box jellyfishes in the sea of Lamai beach by residents and club members yesterday.

He immediately coordinated with the marine police and also asked jet skiers to go out warning tourists swimming in the water to stay off the sea.

Besides he also sought cooperation from all bungalow and hotel operators to put up warning signs on the beach and advise tourists not to swim in the sea during this period.

He said he never expected the incident would happen at night.

The box jellyfish is one of the world’s most toxic animals and its stings usually cause victims to die quickly and in agony.

A French boy aged five years old died on Koh Phangan from box jellyfish stings in August last year.

Experts say that the only treatment for box jellyfish is common vinegar. The vinegar does nothing to dull the pain but it does combat the toxicity. Without vinegar, the jellyfish stings continue to attack and destroy the victim’s flesh.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/german-tourist-dies-from-box-jellyfish-attack-in-samui

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-07