Koh Tao sentence protest at Three Pagodas Pass

Koh Tao sentence protest at Three Pagodas Pass

Myanmar protesters gather close to Three Pagodas Pass border crossing in Kanchanaburi province on Monday morning. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)
Myanmar protesters gather close to Three Pagodas Pass border crossing in Kanchanaburi province on Monday morning. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)

KANCHANABURI -- About 400 Myanmar people staged another protest at Three Pagodas Pass on Monday against the death sentence handed down by the Koh Samui Provincial Court on two of their compatriots convicted in the Koh Tao murder case.

The protest began about 7am after 3,000 - 4,000 Myanmar workers employed in about 30 factories on the Thai side of the border in Kanchanaburi province returned to their home country through Three Pagodas temporary immigration checkpoint for the New Year holidays.

The protesters gathered across the border, holding placards and banners with messages condemning the court's ruling.

They were closely watched by both Thai and Myanmar authorities. The situation remained calm.

At 11.15am representatives of the Myanmar protesters filed their request with local Thai authorities. They asked Thailand to review the death sentences and release both convicted Myanmar men.
The demonstration leaders then told their followers to disperse.

Today's protest at Three Pagodas Pass is the second in three days since the Samui Provincial Court passed the death sentence on Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 22, on Thursday. 

The court found them guilty of murdering David Miller, 24, and raping and murdering Hannah Witheridge, 23, on a beach on Koh Tao in Surat Thani province in September 2014.

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