Koh tao

In just two years there are 60 unexplained deaths of British nationals in Thailand: report

There are 60 unexplained deaths of British nationals in Thailand in just two years, a new report claims.

The Daily Mail citing figures from the Foreign Office says that between 2014 and 2016, 1,151 British nationals died in Thailand.

While the cause of most of those deaths has been established, 60 are currently classed as “unknown”.

The news site claims that the number of unexplained deaths “indicate a pattern of criminal behaviour, botched detective work — and, worst of all, police cover-ups”, in a bid to preserve Thailand’s tourism image.

In a lengthy article, the Daily Mail reports on some of the highest profile cases of unsolved murders and unexplained deaths involving British nationals in Thailand.

The report includes details on the murder of Kirsty Jones, the British backpacker who was found murdered in a hostel in Chiang Mai in 2000 and whose killer remains at large.

It also features the death of 23 year old Christina Annesley who was found dead in a bungalow on Koh Tao.

Christina’s parents reveal how the believe their daughter’s death is suspicious, despite being told otherwise by the Thai authorities.

The Daily Mail says the investigation into Christina’s death was “botched” after her body was left in the heat of a temple, making toxicology reports inconclusive.

“The police told us she had died in her hotel room and there was no sign of foul play. I believed them at the time. But nothing makes sense any more, said Christina’s mother Margaret Annesley.

“It’s only as time has gone on and by meeting other parents that we hear of so many coincidences, and that has made us doubt there was nothing suspicious. There are so many unexplained deaths on Koh Tao. The Thai authorities don’t investigate them properly and we get conflicting information.”

Other suspicious deaths on Koh Tao are also featured in the article, including those of Luke Miller, 26, who in 2016 was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool and Nick Pearson, 25, whose body was found in the sea after partying on the island.

Pat Harrington, whose son Ben was found dead on Koh Tao, is the founder of a group called Mothers Against Murderers Abroad (MAMA) and is urging the British government to investigate the deaths.

“The Government needs to look into these suspicious deaths and issue proper travel warnings,” she says.

“No family should ever have to go through the pain that we have.”

Ben’s body was found in a ditch after being killed while riding his motorbike on the island. Police said he died as the result of a road traffic accident. However, his wallet and watch were missing, leading his mother to believe his death was suspicious.

Source: www.thaivisa.com

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