Two Burmese men ‘confess’ to Thai backpacker murders
Thai police claim two Burmese workers have admitted killing two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao as the funeral of one of the two victims takes place today.
Local police say that DNA samples taken from the men match that of backpacker Hannah Witheridge, 23, whose body was found alongside that of her friend David Miller, 24, on a beach on September 15.
The two men, identified only has ‘Win’ and ‘Saw’ face charges of murder, rape and robbery.
A major police investigation has been collecting evidence and taking DNA samples from those working on the island.
But is has been criticised for not closing off the island or properly sealing off the crime scene.
A reward of around £13,000 had been offered for information leading to an arrest.
A garden hoe, found near the scene of the killings, was earlier identified as the possible murder weapon.
A post-mortem examination found that Mr Miller, from Jersey, had suffered severe blows to the head and drowning.
An inquest opened in Norwich earlier this week heard Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth died from ‘severe head injuries’. A full inquest will take place on 6 January.
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements