Public prosecutors are expected this week to indict two Myanmar suspects accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao early on Sept 15.
Thawatchai Saengjaew, chief of the Public Prosecution's Region 8 Office, said a decision is likely in days after officials met to review police investigation reports into the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the Surat Thani island.
Human rights groups and labour activists have condemned the arrest of Myanmar migrant workers, Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin, for the crimes, amid rumours they are being made scapegoats. Pressure from the media, rights groups and the Myanmar embassy prompted the regional public prosecution office to order the police to redo their initial investigation report into the murders.
The suspects will be asked in court if they stand by their first police statements in which they confessed to the crimes, Mr Thawatchai said. The pair allegedly admitted committing the crimes, but later retracted the confessions before their legal team and Myanmar embassy officials, claiming to have been tortured by police.
Mr Thawatchai said officials have solid evidence and witness accounts to prove the suspects are guilty.
Activists yesterday released a letter which they say was written by the suspects.
It says: "We wish to ask anyone who perhaps can assist as a witness in our case or who has evidence about the crimes to urgently come forward and introduce yourself to our lawyers and share your information with our defence team. This will assist us in our defence and ensure justice is done."