The Tantra Cult in Thailand: Elise Dallemagne | Episode 08
🛫 Destination: Koh Tao, Thailand
April 2017, Belgian backpacker Elise Dallemagne was found dead on Koh Tao island in Thailand. This island has been nicknamed "murder island" for the dozens of deaths in paradise over the past decade. But many believe Elise's death is actually tied to a tantra cult on Koh Phangan island.
🔍 Listen to the clues as we investigate this mysterious death of a traveler.
Listen here:
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▸Watch the video episode here.
What the hell happened to
Elise Dallemagne in Koh Tao, Thailand
Elise Dallemagne, a 30-year-old Belgian backpacker, was found dead on Koh Tao, Thailand, in April 2017. Her body was discovered in the jungle, partially eaten by monitor lizards, and authorities initially ruled her death a suicide by hanging. However, her case raised many unanswered questions, including why she fled a guesthouse days earlier and why she was traveling under an alias.
Despite her family’s doubts and local rumors linking her death to other suspicious incidents on the island, no conclusive evidence of foul play was found, leaving her death officially unresolved.
Right before visiting Koh Tao, Elise had spent the last year in Koh Phangan, working closely with Guru Raman Andreas, leader of branch of the Sathya Sai Baba cult. A cult that has had sexual abuse allegations and financial mismanagments, among as other sketchy incidents.
Could her death have really been a suicide?
Or was it just another casualty of Koh Tao’s “Murder Island” reputation?
Or could Elise’s death have been somehow linked to the cult?
Listen the episode and let us know what you think!
Everything we mention on
Episode 08 of True Crime Travelers
▸Santhya Sai Baba guru
SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS▸Raman Andreas, the leader of SACRED, Koh Phangan’s branch of the Santhya Sai Baba cult
SOURCE: NATIONTHAILAND.COM▸Elise alongside Raman Andreas and others.
SOURCE: BRAAHMAN.ORG▸ Elise’s crossed-out signature at check-in at Triple B Bungalows.
SOURCE: THE BANGKOK POST▸The alleged CCTV footage of Elise, which her mother claims is not her.
SOURCE: KHAOSODENGLISH.COM▸This is the video I mentioned during the episode, where we can see Raman Andreas next to the boy who’s believed to be the new incarnation of Sathya Sai Baba.
▸The side-by-side I promised on this episode, comparing a screenshot of the video above and a photo of Raman Andreas.
Can we all agree that this is indeed the same person?!
Raman Adreas has been very low profile since Elise’s death, BUT, S.A.C.R.E.D., the group he leads remains active in India and you can visit their website here.
SOURCE: TV1INDIA / COCONUTS.COWHERE IT HAPPENED…
From Koh Phangan where Elise was coming from, to Chumphon where she was headed to… re-trace Elise’s steps through these maps.
Triple B Bungalows, the first accommodation Elise checked into
SOURCE: triple-b-bungalows.kohtao-hotels.net
Poseidon Resort, the second accommodation Elise checked into.
SOURCE: BOOKING.COMBONUS!
The following two videos are the documentaries about Tantra in Koh Phangan that Alexa mentions during the episode.
Download the Safety Travel Apps we mentioned:
▸Life 360: a very comprehensive location-sharing app that will give you and your loved ones a lot of peace of mind!
▸ Google Maps: you can do more than check directions on Google Maps, you can share your location with your friends and family so they can keep tabs on you while traveling!
For more travel safety resources, visit our Resources page.
Hey witches, do you have a tip or a piece of information
related to the case that we should know?
Never travel without travel insurance!
Whether it’s a canceled flight, a lost bag, or a last-minute doctor’s visit,
this affordable travel insurance is like having a safety net for travelers and nomads.
We’re not here to scare you,
we’re here to prepare you.
A mini-guide on what to do in Thailand instead of Koh Tao…
We know Elise died in Koh Tao, a beloved and paradisiac island in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s mostly known as scuba diving heaven, because of the incredible underwater landscape, and also due to the affordable prices for getting your divers license compared to many other places around the world.
However, as gorgeous as the beaches of Koh Tao are, reality is that some sketchy things have happened in the past years that have resulted in this island getting nicknamed “Murder Island”.
So, if you’re planning to go to Thailand, maybe best to avoid Koh Tao, at least for now.
Here’s what you can do instead, while still getting your dose of crystal-clear beaches and palm trees:
▸ Head to Koh Phangan for the famous Full Moon Party (but be safe!)
▸Go island hopping and snorkeling with pigs in Koh Samui!
▸Go on the Krabi Sunset Cruise in Railay, on the Western Coast of Thailand
▸Snorkel with Reef Sharks in Koh Phi Phi
▸Visit the Train Market and the Amphawa Floating Market in Bangkok
👉You can find itineraries, and pretty much everything you need to know about traveling to Thailand, in our Thailand Travel Guide.
👉 Or…you can have Alexa plan your entire trip for you.
If you haven’t listened to the episode, listen here:
APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | AMAZON MUSIC | IHEART RADIO | YOUTUBE | PODCAST INDEX
What do you think happened?
Do you have any other theories?
Join us on Reddit to discuss this case!
See you on the next case of True Crime Travelers…
xo, Alexa + Emilia
