Man admits to murder of 2 UK tourists in Thailand

A Burmese man has confessed to killing two British tourists on the Thai island of Koh Tao, according to local reports.

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. Picture: PA

The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on the tiny island on September 15.

Thai newspaper The Nation reported that a Burmese man admitted carrying out the attack after he was arrested in Surat Thani on the Thai mainland

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds, while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

A bloodstained garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found near the scene of the killings.

Police investigators have previously said they believe three people were involved in the attacks.

Officers have collected 200 DNA samples from people on Koh Tao and the results are expected at some point this week.

Two different semen samples collected from Ms Witheridge’s body are the basis for the DNA analysis, Thai police told the Bangkok Post.

Last week police colonel Kissana Phathanacharoen said a reward of 700,000 baht - roughly £13,300 - was being offered for information leading to the arrests of the killers.

Around 150 police officers were posted to Koh Tao as part of the murder investigation.

Mr Miller’s father Ian has said he believes his son stepped in to help Ms Witheridge during an altercation.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘’It has become clearer and clearer that it is quite likely David was stepping in to help a girl who was in trouble.’’