3 sought for Koh Tao murders

3 sought for Koh Tao murders

Police investigators say they believe three people were involved in the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao in Surat Thani on Sept 15.

"Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder," Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said Sunday after a meeting with investigators to discuss case updates.

The murders of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, occurred in the early hours of the morning after they left AC Bar.

"We're confident we have a very high chance of finding the suspects," the senior police officer said.

A police officer collects a DNA sample from a worker on Koh Tao. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

"I'm not worried [about high public expectations] because I know how much the probe has been progressing. We just have to follow forensic results," he added.

Investigators on Sunday seized three guitars from a shelter of Myanmar workers for examination. One of them was hidden without anyone admitting ownership but the other two had owners, police sources said.

Police also have also approached seven Thai football players living in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Muang districts for DNA samples. They joined a traditional football match on Koh Tao on Sept 14.

Pol Lt Gen Panya said police have set up a special team to probe rumours, unconfirmed information and tips from the public.

Meanwhile, results from more than 200 DNA tests conducted in Koh Tao should be ready Monday, the head of the police forensic unit says.

Pol Lt Gen Kamrob Panyakaew, chief of the Office of Police Forensic Science, said his staff were working 24 hours a day analysing DNA samples.

Two different semen samples collected from Witheridge's body are the basis for the DNA analysis. Testing confirmed the semen belonged to Asians.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao Sunday in a bid to restore confidence.

Ms Kobkarn proposed a tourism centre should be set up on the island to improve security measures.

She said tourist police officers would work full-time at the centre and the ministry would bring in two helicopters for use in the event that air transport was necessary.

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