Suspect confesses to killing Stephen Ashton in Koh Phangan | Bangkok Post: news

News > Crimes

Suspect 'confesses' to killing Brit

SURAT THANI - The man suspected of killing Stephen Ashton allegedly confessed on Wednesday that he unintentionally shot the British tourist early in the morning of New Year's day, police said.

Ekkapan Kaewkla, centre, who is suspected of killing British tourist Stephen Ashton, is escorted by police on Wednesday following his arrest on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province. (EPA Photo)

Royal Thai Police adviser Pol Gen Rachot Yensuang, who interrogated Ekkapan Kaewkla on Wednesday, said the 26-year-old suspect had admitted to all charges against him and apologised for causing the death of Ashton and damage to tourism on Koh Phangan.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Most Viewed

  • Plodprasop to portray ex-king at water summit

    Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi will don full costume and take to the stage in front of international delegates as part of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai, but denies it will be "inappropriate".

Forum

image

Your comments

  • patchar

    ThailandPost : 408

    Send message

    Discussion 7 : 03 Jan 2013 at 17.517

    The Thai justice system here will be applied so the gunman will set free again sooner after postting a bail. And if ever he will be sentence for imprisonment, I'm sure it will be lesser since he admitted the crime and even apologized to the victim's family. A lot of serious case here involving tourist and the suspects were set free after paying small amount as bail.And they will look for another victims to prey. Amazing Thailand....

    For PloyDonut, we are commenting about the crime here and we're not trying to say that no crimes like this are happening in other countries. Mr. Ashton, the victim died because he was shot by Mr. Ekkapan peri

  • ricoaj22

    ThailandPost : 171

    Send message

    Discussion 6 : 03 Jan 2013 at 16.336

    @d5 where did ou read that? I am sure that killing someone in Thailand will get you more than 2 years jail (especially when killing foreigners in tourist hot spots). I hope you're wrong anyways

    And the thai police obsession in criminalizing drug users is wrong, they are no more a danger than people who only consume alcohol.. and people who carry weapons are more dangerous than all drug users and drinkers alike

  • sibley

    ThailandPost : 154

    Send message

    Discussion 5 : 03 Jan 2013 at 10.385

    I have just read that the person who fired the shot could get 2 years or get a suspended sentence because he pleaded guilty, He has said he is sorry and it was an accident, but a young man of 22 lost his life, and you don't take a gun to a party if you are not intending to use it.

  • Masha

    ThailandPost : 1

    Send message

    Discussion 4 : 03 Jan 2013 at 10.364

    REST IN PEACE, ASHTON....I am very sorry for him and his family.

    If you guys remember the case of an Israeli woman got raped in October last year at Full Moon Party, the same place Koh Pha-ngan. This kind of unforgivable incident seems to happen to foreigners or even Thais repeatedly.

    This should never ever happen again no matter what. It's time for the law to be seriously strengthened and revolutionized. Not only the safty of tourist places but also whatever could possily cause a problem should be considered. I would rather say that the traffic law must be more strict as well!!

  • ricoaj22

    ThailandPost : 171

    Send message

    Discussion 3 : 03 Jan 2013 at 08.303

    I don't think ploydonut is a real commenter so won't even start, but anyways good work from the police here! Anyone who takes a gun to a party deserves to rot in jail for a long time whether they kill anyone or not.. Disgraceful and appalling incident, sympathies to the deceased's family

  • ploydonut

    TogoPost : 310

    Send message

    Discussion 2 : 03 Jan 2013 at 07.112

    I am think crime happen all over the world to foreigner. In Australia Indian student was beaten by big group of the Australian people just because he was Asian. In England a Malay student was attack and put in hospital last year, his things taken away from him. These all make the BBC news also. Also my Japanese friend got attack on his first day study in London, and was in hospital for long time. I am think that where there is foreigner anywhere there is more crime because they are more easy target.

  • ploydonut

    TogoPost : 310

    Send message

    Discussion 1 : 03 Jan 2013 at 04.541

    I am have the dream to go to full moon party and dance with the tourist, but now I am too scare to go. It look more dangerous than Bangkok than peaceful island.

Reply

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!

Please log in to our Bangkokpost.com community to post your comment.
You can sign in to the community by clicking here.

If you are not part of the community yet, please sign up here. By being part of this community you will get all these privileges.