Two Brits ‘possible suspects’ in Koh Tao murders
Two British men are being questioned by police over the murder of a couple in Koh Tao.
The men, who spent time with the victims in the days before they died, are now in ‘police care’ in Bangkok.
According to the latest BBC report, the men, believed to be brothers, were stopped at Bangkok International Airport as they prepared to leave the country.
Police said they had not been formally detained or arrested but were being questioned again following new forensic evidence.
One of them had already been questioned on Monday shortly after the bodies were found, but was later released.
The other man had already left the island.
Police had previously switched their suspicions to the island’s immigrant worker community.
Six Burmese nationals arrested after raids on Tuesday remain in police custody and have undergone DNA testing.
The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, and 24-year-old David Miller from Jersey were found on a beach in the early hours of Monday morning.
Since the grim discovery, the island, close to Koh Samui, has halted ferry services and closed its port to try to stop the killer or killers of the two backpackers escaping.
A TAT spokeswoman said: "We understand this to be an isolated incident and is very much out of character for an island which is much loved for its quaint atmosphere.
"Local authorities have begun a thorough investigation and have put restrictions in place for the time being to prevent anyone leaving the island.
"This may have an impact on tourists’ travel plans so we suggest they contact their travel agent, tour operator or chosen hotel for further advice if they are currently on, or are due to travel, to the island in the next few days.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends affected by the news."
It is believed that Hannah and David did not know each other when they first arrived in Koh Tao separately at the end of August but could have become friends later on.
They met while staying at the same hotel, where they also become friends with a third British traveller, and all three arranged to go out together on Sunday night, according to the local officers.
The bodies of the pair were found hacked to death, hidden behind rocks, and a blood stained hoe was found nearby.
TAT said that while Koh Tao was not on the main tourist trail, it was popular with backpackers and those with a keen interest in snorkelling and diving.
It added: "Koh Tao, and other beach and island destinations across Thailand, remain safe for tourists to travel to."
Hannah’s father, Tony Witheridge, runs Carefree Holidays, which runs self-catering parks in Hemsby, Newport and Winterton on Sea near Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Broads.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026