The Thai holiday resort known locally as ‘Murder Island’

 

On the 15th of February 2017 Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, left her bungalow on Koh Tao and was never seen again.
The news of the young girl’s disappearance took almost 3 weeks to emerge from the tiny island now being dubbed ‘Murder Island’ by the press due to the extraordinary number of tourists who die in suspicious circumstances while holidaying there.

When it comes to strange goings on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Valentia is no exception.

While the residents of Koh Tao are appalled at the new nickname for the chunk of rock they call home, it is hardly surprising. ‘Turtle Island’ has a bad reputation when it takes three weeks for a search to be called when a young backpacker goes missing.

A post on the Koh Tao community page on Facebook even states that news of the missing girl should be suppressed to protect the already dwindling reputation of the island.

And now rumours are circulating that the body of a young girl was found six weeks ago partially burnt, eaten by animals and partially wrapped in T-shirts.

Unsurprisingly this information was never made public and never appeared in any police report and was never passed on to Valentina’s grieving family who have been told that the search for the girl still continues, despite there being no evidence to suggest that it is.

Victims & Timeline

Nick Pearson, 25: January 1, 2014

Hannah Witheridge, 23: September 15, 2014

David Miller, 24: September 15, 2014

Dimitri Povse, 29: January 1, 2015

Christina Annesley, 23: January 21, 2015

Luke Miller, 26: January 8, 2016

Valentina Novozhyonova, 23: February 11-16, 2017

Elise Dallemagne, 30: April 21-28, 2017

Yann Naquin, 31: August 10, 2019

Olha Frolova, 32: May 25, 2020

Uthen Ruangnon, 47: June 8, 2020

Source - BangkokJack

Our VISA AGENT

#Thailand - Royal cremation ceremonies to be held Oct 25-29

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THE Royal cremation ceremonies for HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) will be held between October 25 and 29.

October 26, the day of his |cremation, will also be a national holiday to allow members of the public to take part in the important event. 

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King Rama IX passed away on October 13 last year, plunging Thailand into deep mourning. A large number of Thais continue to wear black and white today to grieve over his death. 

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Throughout his seven-decade reign, King Rama IX worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of his people. In return, he won much love and reverence from his subjects. 

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Assistant Government Spokesman Colonel Atisit Chaiyanuwat announced yesterday that HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X) |had approved the schedule. 

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Atisit said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had proposed three options on how to facilitate people’s desire to join the royal cremation ceremonies. 

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The first is to declare October 25 and October 27 as national holidays too, so that people from the provinces can travel to Bangkok for the ceremonies and then travel back in time to work again. 

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The second is for October 25 and October 27 to be holidays for people living outside Bangkok and its adjacent provinces.

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The third is to not declare any additional holiday and let people decide themselves how they can attend. 

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Last Friday, King Rama X also approved the Office of the Prime Minister’s decision to declare his birthday, July 28, and the day of his father’s passing, October |13, as important days in Thailand. 

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King Rama X ordered that royal ceremonies be held in remembrance of his father on October 13 every year, the same way royal ceremonies are held in commemoration of his great grandfather, King Rama V. 

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 Source - TheNation

Thailand - Public participation allowed in building of Royal Crematorium

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Fine Arts Department prepares historic royal carriages and palanquins for use

MEMBERS OF the public will be able to contribute to the construction of the royal crematorium and related accessories for the much-revered HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“We will allow public participation,” Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.


The King passed away at the age of 89 on October 13, plunging the nation into deep grief.
The government is now in the process of preparing the royal crematorium and related accessories for the grand royal cremation of the monarch. The process is expected to be completed in a year.

“The Fine Arts Department has already surveyed the condition of the royal carriages and royal palanquins housed in the National Museum of Bangkok, to prepare for the royal procession of the cremation ceremony of His Majesty the King,” said Ananda Chuchoti, director-general of the Fine Arts Department.

He said the department would work closely with scientists in the cleansing process of the royal carriages and royal palanquins while artisans of the Office of Traditional Arts will be in charge of restoring any damaged parts.

“We don’t know yet the details of the royal procession but our task is to prepare these royal carriages and royal palanquins for use,” he added.

Maha Phichai Ratcharot (The Royal Great Victory Carriage), three Ratcharot Noi (Small Carriages), two Phra Yannamas Sam Lamkhan (Golden Palanquin with Three Beams) and two Krirk (Mechanical Hoist) are housed at the National Museum of Bangkok.

The Royal Great Victory Carriage, built in the reign of King Rama I, is 11.20 metres high, 15.30 metres long and weighs 13.7 tonnes and requires 216 men to pull it. In the ceremonial procession, it was used to carry the Royal Urn of Their Majesties the King and the Queen and high-ranking royal families to the royal crematorium.

The Royal Great Victory Carriage was first used for King Rama I’s father in ceremonies in 1796. It was last used in 2011 during the royal cremation ceremony of Princess Phetcharat Ratchasuda, the daughter of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

Source: Coconuts.co

Thailand - Important notices during mourning period

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Following are important announcements and advice from various agencies related to the mourning period for the passing of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Tourism to continue with curbs on entertainment
Italian Embassy updates events list
TAT issues advice for foreign tourists
Dos and don'™ts
Embassies urge respect for Thai sensitivities
Guidelines issued for all broadcast and print media
TAT advice on the Royal Religious Rites
Activities and events postponed
Roads closed during mourning period
How to reach Sanam Luang

Source: The Nation 

Truly the King of hearts

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The longest-reigning monarch won the devotion of his subjects with his commitment to their welfare
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HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Adulyadej rose to the greatest heights in modern Thai history and was, in his lifetime, the pillar and soul of his nation.

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Like his grandfather King Rama V, His Majesty made enormous contributions to his country, commanding deep love and loyalty from his people. He was the guiding light, helping his Kingdom in times of crisis time and again.
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During his seven-decade-long reign, His Majesty peacefully defused several political situations, such as the tumult in October 1973 and Black May in 1992 - something no Thai politician was able to accomplish then or later.
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His reign spanned the terms of more than 30 governments, several military regimes, coups and numerous coup attempts, and even the defeat of the communist threat that raged through Southeast Asia a few decades ago.
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At the time of his passing yesterday, he was the world's longest-reigning monarch and had been recognised with several international awards for his contributions in various fields. Among the honours were the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, Time magazine's "Asian Hero King Bhumibol Adulyadej for Shaping the Asia of Our Times" and the World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Leaders Award.
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In an unprecedented gathering of royalty, the kings, queens and royal representatives from 26 countries arrived at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok in 2006 to pay tribute to His Majesty on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
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In Thailand, he was considered the father of many innovations and technology.
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These accolades, however, pale before his significance to the Thai people - he was their inspiration, their leading light, and the King of their hearts.
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His Majesty won the hearts of his subjects because he fully honoured his oath of accession: "We shall reign with righteousness, for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people." This oath was taken on the day of his coronation in 1950, when His Majesty was just 23.
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Born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, His Majesty was the third and youngest child of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Princess Srinagarindra. He spent much of his childhood overseas, visiting Thailand sometimes with his older brother King Ananda Mahidol to see their country and their elderly grandmother HM Queen Savang Vadhana.
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The younger royal never expected to become a monarch, but had to take over after his brother's untimely death on June 9, 1946.
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He was once quoted as saying after his brother's death: "I had never thought of becoming a king. I only wanted be your younger brother".
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After King Ananda's passing, the course of the younger royal's life changed completely. He had to change his subject of education from science to political science and law, so he could equip himself with proper knowledge for his reign.
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After completing his education in Switzerland, His Majesty returned for the royal coronation and faithful devotion to his country and his people. For most of his reign, His Majesty travelled the length and breadth of the Kingdom, visiting the poorest and remotest corners to learn about the problems faced by his people.
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During his travels, the beloved monarch spoke to his subjects and most importantly, listened to them. He learned of their needs and problems first hand and set about trying to find a way to give immediate help, before studying the issue in depth to find a permanent solution.
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He had to stop making these trips only after his health began to fail. Yet, even during his time at Siriraj Hospital, the beloved monarch read reports on issues affecting his people and gave advice when he could.
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Since 1952, His Majesty initiated more than 3,000 innovative programmes in agriculture, environment, public health, water resources, communications, public welfare, occupational promotion and education with the aim of easing the lives of Thai people.
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He also actively promoted sustainable development and the philosophy of sufficiency economy.
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His Majesty passed away peacefully at the age of 89 yesterday. He is survived by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and their four children.
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His death has plunged the nation into mourning. But the revered monarch will live in the hearts of Thai people forever.
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Source: The Nation
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