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Andrew Drummond

THE KOH TAO MURDER TRIAL – BRITAIN EXPECTS.

The two Burmese migrant labourers accused of the murder of Briton David Miller and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge were today remanded in custody until July next year when their trial has been scheduled to start.


The hearings for 21-year-olds Wai Pho (Zaw Htun) and Zaw Lin, who have pleaded not guilty have been set for from July 8th to 28th of August for the prosecution, and September 1st to 25th of September for the defence.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We continue to monitor the case closely and expect the trial to be conducted in a fair and transparent way in line with international standards.

“The British government cannot interfere with Thailand’s judicial processes just as other governments are unable to interfere in UK judicial processes.”

“We continue to provide support and assistance to both the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.”

Footnote:  The Foreign Office statement is ambiguous. Either it expects the trial to be conducted in a fair and transparent way in line with international standards, as in “We are watching please. Please conduct  this properly”.

Or it expects the trial to be conducted in a fair and transparent way,  as is usual in Thai trials which follow international standards.

Thai trials may not follow international standards, whatever they are. They certainly do not follow British standards. There is no verbatim record. The defence has already claimed they have not been informed of prosecution witnesses, and often journalists are not allowed to take a shorthand note; and there is an assumption of guilt not innocence.

About the Author

Andrew Drummond

Andrew Drummond is a British independent journalist and occasional television documentary maker. He is a former Fleet Street, London, journalist having worked at the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, News of the World, Observer and The Times.

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