Ensure 'fair probe' for suspects, says Thein Sein

Myanmar President Thein Sein has asked Thailand’s visiting premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha to ensure a “clean and fair” investigation for two Myanmar nationals charged with murdering two British tourists on Koh Tao, off Surat Thani, amid allegations of confession under duress, a senior Myanmar official said yesterday.

In Yangon, about 15 people marched around Maha Bandoola Park in downtown Yangon on Thursday evening to call on Thai authorities to fairly investigate the case of two 21-year-old migrant workers from Myanmar.

The protesters carried placards calling on President Thein Sein and the Thai prime minister to ensure the rights of migrant workers in Thailand were respected. They also called for a fair investigation of the accused.

Meanwhile, some 70 Myanmar people based in Japan yesterday also staged a rally in front of the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo, pressing for a fair investigation for the two men held as suspects in the Koh Tao murder case, which took place on September 15.

Thein Sein’s comments came after reports that the two suspects were tortured into confessing – an allegation the Thai police have strongly denied.

“If they are guilty, action should be taken according to the law. However, the investigation needs to be clean and fair,” Thein Sein was quoted as saying to Prayut during talks in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday, according to an unnamed senior source at the president’s office.

The high-profile murder case was discussed during talks between the two leaders. Prayut yesterday concluded his two-day visit to Myanmar, his first overseas foray since seizing power in a bloodless coup on May 22. The charges of murder and rape against the two Myanmar men were filed last week after police said the undocumented migrant workers had confessed to killing the British tourists on Koh Tao.

But reports in the Myanmar and Thai media have said the suspects had told a lawyer hired by the Myanmar Embassy that they had confessed to the crime after being tortured, prompting rights groups to demand a probe into their treatment.

“He [Thein Sein] also said these workers’ rights need to be protected,” the official, who did not want to be named, told AFP, adding that Prayut promised to give “special consideration” to the case.

Thai authorities have strongly denied using the pair as scapegoats in a case that has tarnished Thailand’s reputation as a tourist paradise.

Thailand’s police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said yesterday: “I want to stress that police have investigated this case based on the law, examined evidence in line with international standards, and are fully accountable.” 

On Tuesday, Amnesty International called on Thailand to launch an independent investigation into the allegations of torture of the suspects and other alleged ill-treatment of the suspects by Thai police.

“The pressure to be seen to be solving an appalling crime that has garnered considerable attention should not result in the violation of rights, including to a fair trial,” said Richard Bennett, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Programme director.

Meanwhile, 20 surveillance cameras have been installed on Koh Tao, of more than 300 planned, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said yesterday. She recently chaired a meeting of tour business owners on Koh Tao, which reached a conclusion on the installation of the units. Yesterday, she held a meeting with tour business owners in seven southern provinces on the Andaman Sea coast.