Brit Killed By Brawling Thais On Koh Phangan

[Pattaya Daily News]

A 23-year-old British tourist was accidentally shot and killed in the crossfire of a gang fight at a Koh Phangan beach bar. A crowd of partying tourists were celebrating the New Year’s countdown, but scattered in panic when two Thai gangs began brawling and shooting at each other.

KOH PHANGAN – January 1, 2013 [PDN]; a report of a British tourist being accidentally shot and killed during gunfire between rival local gangs was received by police from the Phangan police station.

The shooting occurred at the Zoom bar on Haad Rin beach. About 300 tourists had been partying and dancing for the New Year’s countdown. However, at about 4 a.m., two Thai gangs got into a confrontation and started fighting and shooting at each other.

A 23-year-old British tourist was shot in the torso and fatally wounded. He was identified as Mr. Steven David Ashton. He had come to Thailand with four friends when he was killed.

After being notified, police immediately began tracking down the suspect. By late morning, police arrested a suspect, identified as Mr.Ekapan Klawkla, 26 years old. Police also seized a home-made gun.

During their investigation, police discovered that two gangs of young men from separate villages in the area had attended the New Year’s Countdown at the Zoom bar. However, the gangs had been having an ongoing feud.

So they got into a fight and then shot at each other. The tourists and Thais scattered in panic, but the young British tourist got hit by a bullet and died.

Pol. Maj. Col. Kiattipong Khaosamang, the commander of Surartthanee provincial police, said that it was open-and-shut case, since the killer had been arrested and confessed. He will be charged with murder.

But the police were worried about the image of Thailand, and how the news in the British media would adversely affect Thailand’s tourism. Koh Phangan is famous for its Full Moon parties. However, a travel advisory from Britain’s Foreign Office warns travelers to beware of past incidents of violence on Koh Phangan, and mentions roving Thai gangs.

The police informed the British embassy to Thailand of Mr. Steven’s death. The news was doubly tragic for the victim’s family, because Mr. Steven’s father had died only a year ago from a brain tumor.

Mr. Steven had taken off from work to care for his ailing father until he died. Now only Mr. Steven’s mother and sister are left to cope with their latest family tragedy.

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[Edge]

UK cautions citizens after Pha-ngan killing

KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI,

SOMCHAI SAMART

THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The British ambassador has warned his countrymen to exercise caution when travelling in Thailand, following the killing of a British tourist by a stray bullet at a New Year's beach party on the popular island of Pha-ngan.

 

"There are risks in going anywhere and I think Thailand is certainly not completely trouble-free," Mark Kent said in an interview with UK-based Sky News on Tuesday night.

 

He urged British tourists to check out the travel advice on the embassy's website.

 

However, the embassy has not issued any statement about the matter.

 

Kent tweeted to The Nation yesterday that he would go to Surat Thani today and meet with local authorities.

 

The victim's parents will travel from England to Pha-ngan to take custody of their son's body, according to Pha-ngan police, who were informed about their arrival by the British Embassy.

 

Stockbroker Stephen Ashton, 22, was killed when a Thai man opened fire during a bar brawl in the early hours of Tuesday. The Brit was shot accidentally while dancing and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

 

Ekkapun Klaewkla, 26, who was arrested hours after the shooting, was taken to the scene by police for re-enactment of the crime but it was washed out by rain.

 

The suspect confessed to firing the fatal shot, telling police his group was outnumbered by its rivals during a fight so he decided to use his home-made gun to protect himself.

 

-- The Nation 2013-01-03

[Edge]

Koh Phangan Island – The Island of Natural Born Killers & Murders?

 

LINK

 

.

[Edge]

From The Telegraph :-

 

Thailand shooting: how could my son's life be taken so recklessly?

 

The family of Stephen Ashton, the British tourist shot dead in Thailand on New Year's Eve, spoke today of their "complete devastation" and questioned how a life could be taken so recklessly.

 

 

 

Stephen Ashton and, right, Ekkapun Klaewkla, 26, who has confessed to his murder Photo: (ANDREW CHANT/KHAO SOD)

By Victoria Ward

2:01PM GMT 02 Jan 2013

 

Stephen Ashton, 22, was killed as he danced with friends at a beach bar in Koh Phangan. He was caught by a stray bullet when a fight escalated between two groups of Thai youths.

 

His heartbroken mother, Diane, 48, and sister Emily, 20, were being comforted at the family's £1 million mock Tudor home in Purley, south London.

 

His family said in a statement: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives.

 

"He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations

 

“We are comforted in the thought that he was having a fantastic time with friends after such a difficult period following the loss of his much loved dad who passed away from a brain tumour in 2011 and the loss of his granddad a few months earlier."

 

They said they were "so proud" of Mr Ashton, a junior trader who had quit his job in the City to go travelling and that he would be sorely missed by his family and his many friends.

The statement added: "We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life."

Mrs Ashton, a solicitor, is expected to fly out to Thailand this week to meet the British ambassador and identify her son's body.

She was on a skiing holiday when she was informed of the tragedy and flew home last night.

Emily Ashton, 20, told the local newspaper: "It is just such a shock. We are still trying to get our heads round it. It hasn't sunk in.

"He was just on a holiday and we are just trying to come to terms with it."

The alleged gunman, Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, was arrested on Tuesday night.

Surat Thani province police commander Kietpong Khaosa-ard said: "He was charged with murder, even though he said he did not aim to kill a tourist.

"Firing the gun, no matter at whom, was aiming to kill."

Kaewkla was also charged with illegal possession of a weapon.

If Kaewkla is convicted of manslaughter, he could escape with a jail term of just two or three years or even a suspended sentence.

The Thai courts have historically handed down comparatively light sentences for manslaughter, particularly if the suspect co-operates with police.

 

^{The family home of Stephen Ashton in Purley, South London (National Pictures/Jack Taylor)}

Mr Ashton's closest friends paid emotional tributes to him as they spoke of their shock.

Tayler Mitchell, 22, one of his best friends from school, revealed that his nickname was "Big Hands", adding: "He was one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet. Everyone loved him.

"He was popular and no one had a bad word to say about him.

"He just went out there to enjoy himself and this is a terrible accident that shouldn't have happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't think anyone can believe it's happened.

"He was never in any trouble, he just loved going out with his mates."

Lewis Collins, another old school friend, said: "He was going for about two months then onto Australia to stay there a year or two years.

"He just wanted to go out there and enjoy himself. There was a leaving party for him before he went where we went out for some drinks and that was the last time we saw him.

"None of us have known anyone who has died in our lives and it is just a huge shock."

Michael Jarman, chief equity strategist at CSS Partners, told the Daily Telegraph: "He had been working in the City but had joined another firm that promised him the world and it didn't work out so he went away for a sabbatical.

"I haven't got a bad word to say about him. He was full of life, young, ambitious and an example to a lot of young 22-year-olds who blame the rest of the world for their problems.

"He didn't go to university but was working his way up through sheer grit and determination.

"The only consolation is that he died doing something he loved and was having a great time."

[sid1]

Why do the say how much the family home is worth?,what

does that have to do with anything.

[juggy boy]

Why do the say how much the family home is worth?,what

does that have to do with anything.

i thought that myself

[Daveo]

i thought that myself

me too, what the fook has that any relevance to such a tragedy, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a pal of mine was killed years ago by a drunk driver in the UK, going too fast round a bend and hitting him killing him instantly

[badboybilly]

Obviously they dont come from the slums of England..........

[Edge]

Why do the say how much the family home is worth?,what

does that have to do with anything.

me too, what the fook has that any relevance to such a tragedy,.....................

i thought that myself

 

Perhaps they feel the need to make the point that when you think someone has all the material wealth imaginable, it can suddenly mean nothing in an instant.

 

What a waste of such a promising life.

 

My daughter and her friend were at that very party on that night, so I have to think what might have been and be thankful..

 

.

[PepeLePew]

Probably the Telegraph trying to make the point to their readership that this was a nice middle class lad from a comfortable background and therefore worthy of their sympathy more so than if he had come off a council estate somewhere.

 

Feel for the poor lads family regardless of his background.

 

 

[Anokanite]

Two or three years maybe no time, for manslaughter.

 

Just doesn't sound fair for taking a life.

 

My condolences to the family.

[Edge]

Probably the Telegraph trying to make the point to their readership that this was a nice middle class lad from a comfortable background and therefore worthy of their sympathy more so than if he had come off a council estate somewhere.

 

Feel for the poor lads family regardless of his background.

 

Point taken, but many will see the irony perhaps.

It's human nature to look at what type of person it was and to make assumptions also.

As we saw when the three guys ran down WS and jumped in the sea, some lives are perceived as having more value than others.

So yes, it does add 'value' to the story.

 

I can't find much in The Sun, so I lifted the article below from The Mail.

I see that Andrew Drummond is one of the contributors.

 

There is a suggestion that the Thai might get off with manslaughter and possession of a firearm.

It does appear to have been an accident that Stephen got killed, but he obviously intended to shoot someone.

That plea has not been accepted as yet.

 

 

 

‘The foreigner got in the way’: Man charged with shooting Brit tourist at Thai New Year’s Eve party says it was an accident

• Stephen Ashton was killed at a party on the island of Koh Phangan
  
• Thai man opened fire at a bar on the island in early hours of morning
  
• Police on the island arrested 26-year-old Thai man Ekkapan Kaewkla
  
• Kaewkla reported to have 'confessed' to the crime
  
• He may only serve two years in prison if convicted, it has emerged
  
• Victim's mother said to be 'completely distraught'
  

By CLAIRE ELLICOTT, ANTHONY BONDand ANDREW DRUMMOND

PUBLISHED: 08:26 GMT, 2 January 2013 | UPDATED: 16:01 GMT, 3 January 2013

Accused: Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, (centre), was arrested on the Thai island of Koh Phangan after 22-year-old Briton Stephen Ashton was killed by a stray bullet at a New Year's Eve party

The man accused of shooting a British tourist at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand apologised in court today and said he never meant to hit a foreigner.

Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, has been charged with killing Stephen Ashton, 22, and carrying a weapon following the incident on the paradise island of Koh Phangan.

Today, he told a court in the neighbouring larger island of Koh Samui that the shooting was a mistake. 'I was aiming at someone else but the foreigner got in the way', he said.

The court heard he already had his finger pressured on the trigger.

Kaewkla was remanded in custody to prison in Koh Samui for 12 days.

It is not clear when the full case will be heard. But under Thai law the trial should begin within 84 days.

Even if the accused pleads guilty the court will have to hear the testimony of all the witnesses.

If there are foreign witnesses and police have interviewed foreigners they would need to testify before leaving the country.

The court has not accepted a plea from him for charges which police said would be manslaughter and illegal possession of a gun.

In court and handcuffed, Kaewkla said 'sorry' to the media and other foreigners.

Mr Ashton, a former city trader from Purley, south London, was enjoying New Year celebrations when he was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival gangs.

The BBC said the Thai police believe they have enough evidence to charge Kaewkla with pre-meditated murder.

 

Kaewkla, who was pictured in handcuffs yesterday talking to police at the scene of the shooting, has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon, which has been recovered.

It had been thought that lawyers may argue the charge should be manslaughter, which could mean Kaewkla serving just two or three years or even a suspended sentence.

British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, is expected to visit the crime scene today after footage emerged yesterday of Kaewkla and Thai police carrying out a reconstruction of events there.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Shooting: Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, who was arrested following the death of Stephen Ashton on Koh Phangan, Thailand, at a press conference at police headquarters in Surat Thani

Victim: Stephen Ashton, seen posing for a photograph for his Facebook page, was shot in the torso whilst celebrating New Year's Eve in a bar in Thailand

Mr Ashton's family reportedly travelled to Koh Phangan to identify his body formally and make arrangements for its repatriation.

Thai police said Mr Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists seeing in 2013 at a pub and restaurant called the Zoom Bar in Haad Rin Beach when he was shot by a home-made gun shortly after 4am on Monday.

Koh Phangan, situated north of tourist haven Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular destination for backpackers and students on gap years.

One of its attractions is its monthly full moon party at Haad Rin Beach, and many people know it as the setting for Alex Garland's novel The Beach, which was made into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Mr Kent warned of risks to western tourists, and urged people to read the travel advice on the Foreign Office website.

 

Weapon: The home-made gun confiscated by officers following the death of British tourist Stephen Ashton at the police press conference in Surat Thani

 

The advice, which was updated last month, notes that seven British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January 2009.

It says western tourists have been victims of vicious unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan.

 

 

Seven Britons have now been killed in Thailand since 2009.

Last year was a particularly bad one for British tourists. In May there was a stabbing of a Briton, in July two British women made reports of rape, in August a 28-year-old man from London was shot in the leg, and in September another rape was reported.

These incidents are just those reported to Consular officials. Many victims, particularly of rape, do not report but leave the island immediately.

The Foreign Office was forced to put out a warning about roaming Thai gangs.

It emerged that Mr Ashton’s father John, the director of a fish wholesaler, died last year after being hit over the head by a burglar and later developing a brain tumour.

Relatives gathered at the house in Purley, south London, that he shared with his solicitor mother and sister yesterday.

 

Tragic: The family of the 22-year-old, seen flanked by two friends in a Facebook photograph, are understood to have travelled to Thailand to formally identify his body

 

 

Killed: Mr Ashton was shot by a stray bullet after two Thai men started a fight in the bar on Koh Phangan

 

Tragic: Stephen Ashton was shot as he danced with friends at the the Zoom Bar on Haad Rin Beach (file photo)

 

They released the following statement: ‘As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives. He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations.

‘We are comforted in the thought that he was having a fantastic time with friends after such a difficult period following the loss of his much loved dad who passed away from a brain tumour in 2011 and the loss of his granddad a few months earlier.

‘We were all so proud of him; he was a much-loved son, brother, grandson and nephew. He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life. We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life.’

His sister Emily, 20, said: ‘It is such a shock. We are still trying to get our heads round it. It hasn’t sunk in. He was just on a holiday and we are trying to come to terms with it.’

Mr Ashton, a barrister’s clerk who then became a junior trader for a city firm, had recently quit his job to go travelling in Australia with a stop-off in Thailand.

 

 

Horrific: Mr Ashton was hit in the torso by a bullet as he danced on Haad Rin beach on the party island of Koh Phangan, Thailand

 

Investigation: Thai police speak to holidaymakers about the shooting

The family asked for privacy as they try to come to terms with the tragedy.

Police on Koh Phangan said Mr Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at a pub and restaurant called the Zoom Bar when he was shot by a home-made gun at Haad Rin beach shortly after 4am yesterday.

The city trader's mother Diane is said to be 'completely distraught' following her son's death.

A family friend spoke to reporters outside Mr Ashton's family home as more close friends came to the property to offer their condolences to the family.

He confirmed the widow, who lost her 50-year-old husband last year, was too upset to talk.

The friend, speaking outside the family's mock Tudor house in Purley, Surrey, also confirmed there were no firm plans for Diane to fly to Thailand.

He said: 'She's completely distraught.

 

Shock: The beach was packed full of people celebrating New Year's Eve when the incident happened

'She's got no firm plan [to travel] yet - she's waiting to hear from the consulate.'

Stephen's black Audi TT was still on the front drive of the five-bedroom house.

The resort has long been famed for its monthly ‘full moon’ parties, as well as its New Year festivities.

Hippy travellers have been followed by growing numbers of affluent young Britons fresh out of school or university, although the Foreign Office warns visitors to take care because of problems with roving criminal gangs.

Mr Ashton was simply enjoying the festivities at the Zoom beach bar when tragedy struck.

According to local reports, tourists were dancing shortly after 4am on New Year’s Day when two groups of Thai men, each half a dozen strong, began arguing, then fist-fighting.

As one of the groups fled the bar, one man turned back and fired a gun, leading to panic.

Killed: Mr Ashton was at a New Year party on one of Thailand's most famous islands

One bullet struck Mr Ashton in the torso, causing devastating injuries.

After first aid by partygoers failed, he was sent to the Ban Don hospital nearby, which has only elementary surgical facilities, and was later pronounced dead.

Local police officer Lieutenant Colonel Somsak Noorod said: ‘He was shot in the side while he was dancing on the beach.’

Colonel Kittakarn Kramothong, head of the island’s police station, said: ‘Stephen was not involved in the fight. The gun used was home-made.’

Mr Ashton's local MP Richard Ottaway said he had been in touch with the Foreign Office to ensure everything was being done to support the investigation following the 'heinous' act.

The Conservative Croydon South MP, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said: 'I have spoken with the Foreign Office and I am assured that they are doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of Mr Ashton's death, and in supporting his family.

'The UK ambassador to Thailand will be visiting the scene of the crime tomorrow,' he said.

'I have written to Mr Ashton's family to offer my help in any way that I can. I am determined to ensure that justice is served and that whoever is responsible for this heinous act is held to account.

He added: 'I understand that under Thai law the authorities have up to 84 days to bring charges and there is a bit of a history of this time being taken in other cases. It may be some weeks before charges are finally brought.'

Mr Ashton had been staying at the Pink Bungalow complex nearby with his friends.

Just a fortnight ago he had posted on Facebook a photograph of himself and two companions in a Thai bar.

Tayler Mitchell, 22, one of Mr Ashton’s best friends from school, said he had left the UK at the beginning of December and was planning to live in Australia for a year or two after visiting Thailand.

Home: The 22-year-old lived in Purley, London, with his mother

He said Mr Ashton, whose nickname was ‘Big Hands’, added: ‘He was one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet. Everyone loved him. He was popular and no one had a bad word to say about him.

‘He just went out there to enjoy himself and this is a terrible accident that shouldn’t have happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t think anyone can believe it’s happened.

‘He was never in any trouble, he just loved going out with his mates.’

Lewis Collins, another long-term school friend, said: ‘He was going [to Thailand] for about two months then on to Australia to stay there a year or two.

‘He just wanted to go out there and enjoy himself. There was a leaving party for him before he went where we went out for some drinks and that was the last time we saw him.

‘None of us have known anyone who has died in our lives and it is just a huge shock.’

Gun crime: A tourist haven and regional base for multinational companies, Thailand has the highest number of guns in civilian hands in Southeast Asia

 

Sammi Maynard wrote on Facebook: ‘Awful news, taken way too early, Rest in peace, my thoughts are with your friends and family x’

Nicolle Williams wrote: ‘Cannot believe what I’ve just seen...in complete and utter shock...thoughts are with you and your family....R.I.P Stephen xxx’

His father John died suddenly aged around 50 about a year ago.

A childhood friend has told how he had given up work to nurse his father, who suffered a terminal illness.

Zak Gorman, 22, said: ‘All I can say is Stephen was a top bloke.

'He was a barrister’s clerk and then started work in the City trading derivatives, but he quit his job to look after his father.’

He had returned to work last year.

A former neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It is so tragic. It is just Diane and her daughter Emily left now.’

Mr Ashton was a regular diner at tapas bar Las Fuentes, in Purley High Street.

The owner, who gave his name only as Gio, said: 'He came in once or twice a month and was a nice man.

'We are sorry to hear about this, it's come out of the blue, and makes you wonder what is going on.'

Mr Ashton was also a regular at the Rectory pub in Brighton Road, Purley.

Deputy manager Matthew Hitchmough said: 'He had been coming in here for quite some time, and was bubbly - he always had friends and girls round him.

'I didn't know him particularly well, just to say a few words to, but he was a nice man - I can't say a bad word about him.

'It's certainly a shock to hear this has happened, I know that a few of the people who come in go to Thailand for Christmas and new year.'

 

FORMER HIPPY RETREAT THAT INSPIRED HOLLYWOOD MOVIE

Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan island, off the east coast of Thailand, was once a tranquil hippy secret.

Over the last three decades, however, it has gained growing fame for its Full Moon parties – which can now take place pretty much any time – with blaring Western dance music.

The hedonistic atmosphere of Haad Rin beach is thought to have inspired the hit film The Beach, starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Tilda Swinton, and the original book of the same name by British author Alex Garland.

 

Revellers at a Full Moon party on Haad Rin beach, the destination thought to have inspired The Beach by Alex Garland

Its backpacker hero leaves a resort similar to Haad Rin for a secret island Utopia populated by young Western travellers with access to unlimited marijuana.

In the real Koh Phangan, there are young tourists experimenting with drugs, but many simply head there for the cheap beer and dance music parties.

The Foreign Office has warned of problems at the beach, including sexual assaults, drownings involving swimmers high on drugs and attacks by local gangs

.

[The Old Master]

Thanks Edge for the info.

 

My son and his mates were also there and and fortunately got home relatively unscathed. This poor fella sadly was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

My thoughts are with his family.

 

Regards

The Old Master

[Connection]

RIP

[sheaman1]

This was simply a terrible tragedy...I hope there is some justice for the family.