Prayuth apologizes for bikini remarks

Junta chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha apologized for comments he made that tourists in bikinis could be more vulnerable to attack, especially if they were attractive.

Following widespread criticism of his earlier comments, which came days after the savage murder of two young British tourists on Koh Tao, Prayuth said he was sorry for making anyone “feel uncomfortable.”

“Sometimes I talk too harshly because I’m under pressure,” Prayuth told the press this afternoon, saying he didn’t mean to offend anyone but warn them to be more careful in certain places and times.

The apology came after Britain formally requested “clarification” of his comments this morning, which many perceived as blaming the victims, or at least the female one.

Meanwhile DNA tests failed to yield a breakthrough in the hunt for the killers of Hanna Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, whose bodies were found Monday morning on the quiet resort island.

Distraught relatives of Witheridge broke down in tears and hugged each other ahead of a police briefing in Bangkok on Thursday, as the investigation continued to draw a blank.

Thailand’s military ruler Prayuth Chan-Ocha on Wednesday drew condemnation after questioning the safety of female tourists in the kingdom.

“They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere,” Prayuth – who is also prime minister – told government officials. But “can they be safe in bikinis… unless they are not beautiful?”

The British embassy in Bangkok said it had contacted the Thai foreign ministry raising its “concerns” over his remarks and to ask “for clarification,” according to an embassy statement. Prayuth’s off-the-cuff comments echoed others made to reporters on Tuesday questioning the behaviour of the murdered Britons as well as the perpetrators.

 

No DNA matches

Thailand’s image as a tourist haven, already tarnished by months of political protests that ended in May’s army coup, has been further damaged by the murder of the Britons.

On Thursday, police continued to hunt for clues on the small, normally laid-back diving island of Koh Tao as post-mortem examinations of the victims’ bodies in Bangkok did not find any DNA links to 12 people they have questioned so far.

Those include two of Miller’s British friends who were asked to stay in Bangkok pending the forensic results – and several Myanmar migrant workers. The British men were now “free to return home,” regional police commander Panya Maman told AFP.

Experts tested traces of semen and a hair found at the crime scene but could not find a match.

With no arrests and an apparent lack of new leads, it is unclear where the police investigation can turn after nearly four days scouring sparsely populated Koh Tao.

Thailand’s key high season for tourists is just two months away and the kingdom is desperate to reassure visitors after a year which saw takings slump because of political turmoil.

The governor of Surat Thani province – which covers Koh Tao – said the island would no longer host spin-off parties of the “full moon” beach raves which draw backpacking hordes to neighbouring Koh Phangan.

“We don’t want any more crimes,” governor Chatpong Chatraphuti told AFP, adding hotels and resorts would have to install new security cameras and lighting.

The junta has vowed to restore Thailand’s reputation as the “Land of Smiles,” embarking on a clean-up of resorts after a series of complaints about scams, assaults and even police extortion. The army imposed martial law in the days before the coup and then a nationwide curfew afterwards – which it quickly lifted from the kingdom’s main tourist areas.

Story: AFP, Coconuts Bangkok / Photo: AFP

Related:

Ware released as investigation of Koh Tao murders hits dead end

Police blame ‘jealous’ friend for David and Hannah murders on Koh Tao

Police question backpacker as focus shifts to blonde hair found in victim’s hand

Three Myanmar men questioned for murder of British tourists

Koh Tao murders: ‘Asian man’ seen on CCTV sought for questioning

Probe into murder of two Britons on Koh Tao

Manhunt on Koh Tao after tourists found brutally murdered on beach

British tourists murdered, stripped on Koh Tao beach



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