Thailand has conducted a preliminary investigation into allegations by Laura Witheridge, sister of murdered backpacker Hannah Witheridge, that court officials made insensitive remarks to her family during the investigation and trial. The Court of Justice said it had held a preliminary inquiry into the claims.
Laura Witheridge posted on Facebook that court officials asked her family: “Why are you so bothered? Just go home and make another one.” The post, later edited and removed, also alleged widespread corruption in the Thai police and suggested her sister’s killer was still free.
A spokesperson for the Court of Justice expressed “deep concern” over the allegations and said the office had promptly conducted a preliminary investigation. The statement added that no complaint had been made during the trial and that the Witheridges were entitled to submit a formal complaint.
Thai media reported that national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda had ordered legal and foreign affairs units to examine whether Laura Witheridge had broken any laws, as defamation is a criminal offence in Thailand.
Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on Koh Tao island in September 2014. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, were sentenced to death for the murders in December, but human rights groups condemned the verdict, citing past scapegoating of migrants. The pair initially confessed but later claimed they were tortured.
Laura Witheridge said she had received death threats from people in Thailand, with photographs defaced and comments that the killers had only done “half the job”. The Royal Thai police spokesperson said her allegations were presented without evidence, but police would be willing to work with her if she wanted to take up the matter with authorities.
