Independent third party must test Koh Tao DNA
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When the press reported that the Thai police would require DNA testing in the Koh Tao murder case, it was reported also that the FBI would conduct the tests or, at least, test the DNA samples gathered by the Thai police.
Later, however, the DNA samples were sent to lab in Singapore instead. The FBI was not involved. Why not?
I am surprised that the British and Myanmar governments have not run their own DNA tests in this case. No one will believe the Thai police. Or the Thai courts. Or the FBI. The British and Myanmar authorities should conduct their own DNA tests. But since few people trust foreign embassies and consular offices, a wholly independent outside source should also conduct the tests in this case. Otherwise, the case will never be satisfactorily resolved.
Reading the available press reports about this case, it remains unclear if in fact the Koh Tao headman’s younger brother (or nephew), who is the manager of the headman’s bar on Koh Tao, took a DNA test. He was reported to have refused to provide a DNA sample.
It was claimed also that the headman’s son, a college student in Bangkok, was out of town at the time of the murders. But did he provide a DNA sample too?
Frederick Rogerson
Bangkok
