Kirsty murder arrest hope dashed

Thai tour guide Abraham Narong's relatives are cleared

Eight men suspected of the murder of backpacker Kirsty Jones have been cleared after results of DNA tests were returned to detectives.

Thai police investigating the rape and killing of the 23-year-old graduate in a Chiang Mai hostel questioned and released three hill tribesmen and five Thai police officers in January.

It came after the discovery that DNA from a related local tour guide, earlier cleared of the crime, was close enough to that found on Kirsty's body to suggest the murderer was one of his tribesmen relatives.

Kirsty Jones' murderer is still on the loose

It means the killer of Miss Jones, from Tredomen near Brecon, who was due to travel to Australia from Thailand, is still on the loose after 18 months.

Five Thai police officers tested as part of the probe have also been cleared.

Thai police had raised hopes after the tribesmen were tested two weeks ago, but those have been dashed by the news in the latest disappointment.

However, police are said to be working on new leads - they have not disclosed details of their fresh angles.

Major General Bamrung Kerddee of the Thai force said: "The results of the DNA tests are negative. The men tested are all in the clear.

Welsh help

A pair of detectives from Dyfed-Powys Police was brought in to assist Royal Thai Police's floundering hunt, re-launching the inquiry for their man in September 2001.

They flew to the murder scene and later returned DNA evidence from the sarong used to strangle Ms Jones, and from other items in her £10-a-night Aree guesthouse room, for analysis in the UK.

Jack Straw asked the Thai government to speed things up

In the initial investigations into her death Thai police arrested the hostel owner Andrew Gill, 33, after releasing a number of other suspects.

He had always vehemently denied any involvement in the death of the Liverpool University media and English graduate and was subsequently released without charge.

DNA tests on 11 more suspects ruled them out, too, leaving Thai authorities with no real suspects.

Their handling of the case has been strongly criticised by Ms Jones' parents Sue and Glyn, still angry no-one has been brought to justice.

A fortnight ago, UK Home Secretary Jack Straw intervened in the case to urged Thai foreign minister Dr Surakiart Sathirathai in London to have police solve the case quickly.

That has led to pressure from Bangkok on Chiang Mai authorities to come up with a result.

Local response

Brecon and Radnor MP Roger Williams said the UK Foreign Office was pushing for a statement from the Thai police.

"If some people have been ruled out, that does to advance the inquiry because at least we know who is not being suspected anymore.

"The police in Thailand can concentrate on finding out who did this deed.

"If we don't get a statement very shortly, our ambassador has to put more pressure to find out where we are going."

He said the involvement of Welsh police had been "excellent."

Liberal Democrat Mr Williams said he was not giving up hope.

He said he hoped for a successful outcome to the inquiry for the sake of the Jones family and everyone who visits Thailand.