Prev Page 2 of 80 1 2 3 4 Next » This topic is locked Go to first unread post 1995 replies to this topic

[Prakanong]

meom, on 2008-01-06 23:15:43, said:

Initially that's what was in my mind but somehow I choose to write when. Guess I'm still an optimist

I hope I am still an optomist too but I also beleive if they could hide it they would and so as much possibility as possible is a good thing.

If he is Canadian I hope his Embassy pushes things.

[cali4995]

At some point, these incessant cover-ups and smoke and mirror acts
whenever a serious crime is perpretrated against a foreigner begin
damaging the country's reputation. And we passed this point a long
time ago. I have yet to see an expatriates respective embassy take
a stand and demand some justice when their citizens rights have been
violated. And I mean more than superficial action, I mean honestly
dispensing justice where the punishment is served. That Thais are
allowed to commit crimes against foreigners with impunity is why
this problem continues to spiral out of control.They're not all good.

[jumnien]

Every once in a while we read rather hidden short page 4 articles about the 2,500 Thais killed by police a few years ago. What is so frickin' important about one or two farangs that it should make page 1 in Thai newspapers?

[Prakanong]

cali4995, on 2008-01-06 23:45:03, said:

At some point, these incessant cover-ups and smoke and mirror acts
whenever a serious crime is perpretrated against a foreigner begin
damaging the country's reputation. And we passed this point a long
time ago. I have yet to see an expatriates respective embassy take
a stand and demand some justice when their citizens rights have been
violated. And I mean more than superficial action, I mean honestly
dispensing justice where the punishment is served. That Thais are
allowed to commit crimes against foreigners with impunity is why
this problem continues to spiral out of control.They're not all good.

How far can an Embassy really go though - they can do the public thing as well as the quiet word that may have more influence but how much does it help?

I think the families of the Kanchanaburi couple and Kirsty Young were supported and even Welsh police helped with the Young case and probably know who did it but still murderers get away.

Then the Brit Embassy tried to have criticism of Thailand repressed I seem to recall saying it would hurt the tourist industry.

As you say a time has to come when the truth is told and bollocks to losing face and kreng jai - our economy would not be hurt by it - only the Thai's

[Prakanong]

sunrise07, on 2008-01-06 23:49:24, said:

Every once in a while we read rather hidden short page 4 articles about the 2,500 Thais killed by police a few years ago. What is so frickin' important about one or two farangs that it should make page 1 in Thai newspapers?

Because tourism is economically important to the Thai's at 6% of GDP?

Before you say only 6% the auto indiustry is "Only" 9% and thats the only industry appears in the world top economic tables one (if we do not include prostitution, drugs and corruption).

[cali4995]

I think it may have something to do with a sense of fair play. If a Thai national
was executed abroad by a peace officer. It would be an international incident.
Rest assured, justice would be demanded and then properly dispensed.
As far as Thais killing other Thais, if it wasn't for the international human rights
groups, I don't think that topic would have gotten near the coverage it did.

[jumnien]

Already, we've determined that an execution took place. I'd guess some beligerent tourists insulted the wrong Thai guy. He may or may not have been a cop, doesn't much matter now does it. Lesson learned: drink lots of water, walk slowly and respect the local population. Funny, works just about everywhere.

[yorkman]

Prakanong, on 2008-01-06 22:17:20, said:

If he is Canadian I hope his Embassy pushes things.

Embassies are there to promote trade, not to help their citizens; that is a very minor function. They will help the victims relatives, a bit, but as far as make waves that is not their remit.

Edited by yorkman, 2008-01-06 23:03:38.

[Prakanong]

sunrise07, on 2008-01-07 00:00:26, said:

Already, we've determined that an execution took place. I'd guess some beligerent tourists insulted the wrong Thai guy. He may or may not have been a cop, doesn't much matter now does it. Lesson learned: drink lots of water, walk slowly and respect the local population. Funny, works just about everywhere.

Did not take long for the thai apologists did it?

The victim is now the guilty?

Stick to trying to find work for 2 year olds as your sense of morality is lost!

[cali4995]

Sunrise07, we've all seen our share of horribly behaving tourists. These incidents
happen a little too frequently to be all written off as the tourist antagonizing
the locals. The Australian girl in Kanchanburi? What did she do? Nothing. Not
all tourists are staggering around drunk picking fights with off-duty cops. A day
may come when you find yourself in the same situation for no reason other
than you have white skin. If you wander outside your neighborhood where
nobody knows you. Another belligerent obnoxious tourist is what you are.

[Prakanong]

cali4995, on 2008-01-06 23:57:25, said:

I think it may have something to do with a sense of fair play. If a Thai national
was executed abroad by a peace officer. It would be an international incident.
Rest assured, justice would be demanded and then properly dispensed.
As far as Thais killing other Thais, if it wasn't for the international human rights
groups, I don't think that topic would have gotten near the coverage it did.

Yes - plenty of publicity recently about the Thai's killed by Egyptians in a fight in the middle east!

[jumnien]

Prakanong, on 2008-01-06 23:06:17, said:

sunrise07, on 2008-01-07 00:00:26, said:

Already, we've determined that an execution took place. I'd guess some beligerent tourists insulted the wrong Thai guy. He may or may not have been a cop, doesn't much matter now does it. Lesson learned: drink lots of water, walk slowly and respect the local population. Funny, works just about everywhere.

Did not take long for the thai apologists did it?

The victim is now the guilty?

Stick to trying to find work for 2 year olds as your sense of morality is lost!

You may turn out to be right, let's wait and see if our victim was guilt-free. It's just that every day I see tourists doing stupid, terribly insulting things here in Thailand without reproach. For the same behaviours these tourists would be carved into pieces in my home country. I don't know where you guys are hanging out, but if the Thais around you seem particularly violent, I'd ask yourselves what it is that made you choose that locale. Most of us find the Thailand we've lived in for a long time to be rather peaceful and the people rather friendly.

[Prakanong]

sunrise07, on 2008-01-07 00:11:31, said:

You may turn out to be right, let's wait and see if our victim was guilt-free. It's just that every day I see tourists doing stupid, terribly insulting things here in Thailand without reproach. For the same behaviours these tourists would be carved into pieces in my home country. I don't know where you guys are hanging out, but if the Thais around you seem particularly violent, I'd ask yourselves what it is that made you choose that locale. Most of us find the Thailand we've lived in for a long time to be rather peaceful and the people rather friendly.

What things would tourists be "Carved up" for in your home country?

And how would the victim be "Guilty" - drunk in a public place, arguing with his partner - please explain?

I do not think the Thai's are particularly violent when I go in Thailand but you should see their behaviour on a Sunday at the Golden Mile Complex on Beach Road in Singapore!!!

There are weekly fights, have been murders and machete attacks and tax idrivers avoid the place like the plague - I happened to go once with the ex when we first moved to Singapore and it was indeed iluminating to say the least! If you think tourists behave badly on the booze in Thailand you should see these guy's!

Edited by meadish_sweetball, 2008-01-07 11:44:24.

[yorkman]

Prakanong, on 2008-01-06 23:06:17, said:

sunrise07, on 2008-01-07 00:00:26, said:

Already, we've determined that an execution took place. I'd guess some beligerent tourists insulted the wrong Thai guy. He may or may not have been a cop, doesn't much matter now does it. Lesson learned: drink lots of water, walk slowly and respect the local population. Funny, works just about everywhere.

Did not take long for the thai apologists did it?

The victim is now the guilty?

Stick to trying to find work for 2 year olds as your sense of morality is lost!

Hmmm ok whatever,

But what we have here so far is some unconfirmed (although believable) report.

If, and its still an If, 2 drunk tourists faced off with a drunk Thai with a gun, then what on earth do you expect the result to be?

It could happen anywhere. Tragic all around if true, but no need for anybody to jump on their high horse

[misterme]

sunrise07, on 2008-01-06 22:49:24, said:

Every once in a while we read rather hidden short page 4 articles about the 2,500 Thais killed by police a few years ago. What is so frickin' important about one or two farangs that it should make page 1 in Thai newspapers?

The cover-up in your example is repulsive.

If a cover-up occurs in this case, it's equally repulsive.

The lack of justice in every instance is terrible. We need to demand a change.

It is a reality check. Volitile people here can be dangerous.

[sonnyJ]

To quote all 35 responses.
Yes, tourists on a holiday often don't know how to behave in this country.
The common locals fear the police more than any farang can imagine.
Usually we farangs get the good bit of their work. So not to realize the real dark side.

[JungleJim]

JungleJim, on 2008-01-06 20:09:26, said:

I live in Pai and can confirm that there was a shooting last night. A canadian guy is dead and his female friend is in hospital in Chiang Mai having been shot through the shoulder or so I am told.
The incident certainly did not take place in a restaurant. The blood stains on the road are testament to that fact. According to witnesses, the couple in question were very drunk and fighting in the street. A local off duty policeman witnessed this whilst eating in a nearby restaurant and intervened. How the couple ended up getting shot I am not sure and has obviously been the subject of intense speculation here today. The policeman in question is a notoriously unstable individual who allegedly tried to kill himself a few weeks ago and was also rumoured to be drunk at the time of the incident.
How a domestic if very public argument has escalated into this beggars belief. Although having said that, if you have witnessed the level of drinking here amongst the coppers (whilst in uniform) as I have, then something like this, although deeply worrying is not altogether surprising.
Will update with as reliable information as I can get, when I get it.

Having been out tonight and speaking with a close friend of mine who witnessed the whole thing, it appears that when the policeman (off duty, in plain clothes yet still carrying his gun whilst rat arsed!) went to intervene, the emotionally angry and drunk farang guy did not take to kindly to this, and probably not realising the guy was a cop, pushed him over into a motorbike. The response to this was an immediate and fatal shot to the head and chest. Never could this be classed as self defence or warranted , more another example of horrendous drunken over reaction as a result of losing face. In the melee, the girl was indeed shot through the shoulder.
The policeman has been arrested and an "investigation" is under way
They will be doing well to cover this one up.

[meadish_sweetball]

Please let's take it easy on drawing too far-reaching conclusions and avoid getting into slanging matches with each other; that way the thread can stay and be updated as more info comes in.

[cclub75]

Nation has just published an article.

With the version of the policeman... Mind boggling....

And he was, of course, released on bail...

Edited by cclub75, 2008-01-07 00:29:23.

[meadish_sweetball]

Thanks for that cclub75 - here is the article from the Nation:

MAE HONG SON
Canadian tourist is shot dead
Policeman faces murder charge after scuffle with drunk couple

MAE HONG SON: -- A Canadian tourist was shot dead and his wife wounded early yesterday morning near a pub in Mae Hong Son province after a scuffle with a policeman.

Pol Sgt-Major Uthai Dechawiwat claimed shots were fired accidentally after the foreign couple tried to snatch his pistol from him.

The 37-year-old policeman, who was released on bail after being charged with murder and manslaughter, said he had struggled to get his service pistol back from John Leo Del Pinto and his wife Carly Reisig.

He said he had used the gun to threaten them when he was down on the ground after the couple beat him up.

Del Pinto, 25, took a shot in the mouth, from which the bullet travelled through his shoulder, and another shot on the left side of his torso, while Reisig, 24, was shot on the left side of her torso.

Uthai initially fled but give himself up to Pai police not long afterwards.

Quoting witnesses, case investigator Pol Lt-Colonel Sombat Panya said the couple had been drinking in a local pub called Ting Tong. They became involved in a drunken brawl after Del Pinto, who recently arrived in Thailand, found out that Reisig had become pregnant with a Thai man known as Fuen.

The couple continued arguing after they left the pub when Uthai arrived at the scene, near a bridge, on personal business. Uthai approached them and asked them to be calm but both foreigners turned to attack him.

The officer said Uthai was beaten to the ground by the couple. After managing to get up, Uthai pointed his service pistol to threaten away both foreigners, but Del Pinto tried to snatch the pistol from him. After a scuffle, shots were fired and the couple went down.

Del Pinto died at the scene at about 2am and Reisig was sent to a hospital in Chaing Mai, where she is in a safe condition.

Sombat said he had not interviewed Reisig about what happened and no offence had yet been filed against her.

The Nation - 2008/01/07

[DamianMavis]

JungleJim, on 2008-01-07 00:22:48, said:

JungleJim, on 2008-01-06 20:09:26, said:

I live in Pai and can confirm that there was a shooting last night. A canadian guy is dead and his female friend is in hospital in Chiang Mai having been shot through the shoulder or so I am told.
The incident certainly did not take place in a restaurant. The blood stains on the road are testament to that fact. According to witnesses, the couple in question were very drunk and fighting in the street. A local off duty policeman witnessed this whilst eating in a nearby restaurant and intervened. How the couple ended up getting shot I am not sure and has obviously been the subject of intense speculation here today. The policeman in question is a notoriously unstable individual who allegedly tried to kill himself a few weeks ago and was also rumoured to be drunk at the time of the incident.
How a domestic if very public argument has escalated into this beggars belief. Although having said that, if you have witnessed the level of drinking here amongst the coppers (whilst in uniform) as I have, then something like this, although deeply worrying is not altogether surprising.
Will update with as reliable information as I can get, when I get it.

Having been out tonight and speaking with a close friend of mine who witnessed the whole thing, it appears that when the policeman (off duty, in plain clothes yet still carrying his gun whilst rat arsed!) went to intervene, the emotionally angry and drunk farang guy did not take to kindly to this, and probably not realising the guy was a cop, pushed him over into a motorbike. The response to this was an immediate and fatal shot to the head and chest. Never could this be classed as self defence or warranted , more another example of horrendous drunken over reaction as a result of losing face. In the melee, the girl was indeed shot through the shoulder.
The policeman has been arrested and an "investigation" is under way
They will be doing well to cover this one up.

Omg the cop is claiming the man and wife beat him up and tried to take his gun and in the ensuing struggle (a married couple BOTH fighting the cop for his gun!) he accidentally shot them both, killing one. YA RIGHT. Hope your witness friend has the guts to say what really happened in a court of law, but I doubt this will turn out justly.

Damian

[kat]

My condolences to all who have been affected.

We've got another incredible story here, that seems to be as seasonal and sure as rain. Well, they've got a good excuse don't they: a drunk farang male who beat up a poor, helpless drunk cop with a gun and snatched it away even, before being shot in the mouth, and the cheating, drunk female who started it all.

Oh, and did I say the poor, hapless cop is the one who was victimized?


*Whoever said that they've been quietly working on their story the last 24 hours sure got that one right. It didn't take long because they just use a template now.

** ^Damian, visualize this: the couple beat and kick the cop to the ground in their emotional blind state, take his gun, and then the cop somehow finds the strength to get up, overpower them (while they still have the gun), and then shoot them - pure Soap Operatics. Frickin' incredible, Incredible Thailand, for sure.

Edited by kat, 2008-01-07 00:58:05.

[meom]

DamianMavis, on 2008-01-07 00:47:46, said:

YA RIGHT. Hope your witness friend has the guts to say what really happened in a court of law, but I doubt this will turn out justly.

Damian

My bet is on the girl. If she's indeed pregnant from another guy she'll probably be coerced to testify against the dead canadian, putting all blame on him which will keep her & the cop out of prison. The police volunteer fund might even step in with a few donations for the future baby.

Stuff of movies I know so would be interesting to see the final outcome.

[lannarebirth]

It makes one ill to read it. All of it. My condlences to the family left behind.

[DamianMavis]

meom, on 2008-01-07 00:55:53, said:

DamianMavis, on 2008-01-07 00:47:46, said:

YA RIGHT. Hope your witness friend has the guts to say what really happened in a court of law, but I doubt this will turn out justly.

Damian

My bet is on the girl. If she's indeed pregnant from another guy she'll probably be coerced to testify against the dead canadian, putting all blame on him which will keep her & the cop out of prison. The police volunteer fund might even step in with a few donations for the future baby.

Stuff of movies I know so would be interesting to see the final outcome.

No, unless I read this incorrectly? This is a falang woman, not bloody likely to lie against her murdered falang husband, even if she did cheat. This isnt some isaan hooker that can be pressured by her countries gangster police.

Damian