The Royal Thai Police has stopped seeking help from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in examining DNA samples collected as part of the probe into the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao early last Monday morning, Deputy National Police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said.
directing inquiries: Lead investigator Jarumporn Suramanee, left, and incoming police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang near the spot where the bodies were found.
He said the DNA samples have instead been sent for examination in Singapore, which also has advanced DNA testing technology that can differentiate samples by gender and race and which should help narrow down the scope of investigation by Thai police.
Pol Gen Somyot was speaking yesterday as he led a team of investigators to inspect the beach where the bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found.
He said police have now collected and tested DNA samples from more than 30 people in the area, including fishermen, migrant workers and those who were near the murder scene.
Pol Gen Somyot said police have also made progress in their investigation and gave assurances that they will be able to catch those responsible.
He said the police probe is moving in the right direction, with each part of the jigsaw beginning to fall into place, and added that he believed those who were guilty remained on the island.
no stone unturned: Police have collected a large amount of evidence from the area.
Pol Gen Somyot, who will be the new national police chief on Oct 1, said his team had not yet ruled out any particular groups of suspects including migrant workers, foreign tourists or local residents, although Asian people are now the primary target.
He said local residents have chipped in and offered a cash reward of 100,000 baht for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the killers. He said he also donated 100,000 baht of his own money to add to the reward.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has sent letters of condolence to British Prime Minister David Cameron and the families of the two victims, pledging to bring those who committed the wrongdoing in this case to justice.
Col Weerachon Sukhonpatiphak, a government spokesman, said Gen Prayut sent the letters to the British prime minister and to the victims' families on Friday, expressing his deep condolences for the tragic incident involving the two young Britons.
The letters assured that the Thai government will make the utmost effort to handle the case quickly and ensure justice is done.
The government has been collaborating with the British embassy in Bangkok, providing full assistance for family members who are now in the country, according to Col Weerachon.
"The foreign ministry's officials are in place to provide assistance for them" he said.