Thailand Deaths: Suspects In New DNA Tests

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has given his backing to new DNA tests for two men being held for the killings of two Britons in September.

The bodies of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found on a beach on the southern island of Koh Tao on 15 September.

Two Burmese migrant workers have been charged with their killings.

Post-mortem examination results showed that both British backpackers died from blows to the head and Ms Witheridge had been raped.

Police said Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun - both 21 - confessed to the crime and their DNA matched samples taken from Ms Witheridge's body.

The men have yet to appear in court to face any charge and there is growing concern that they may have been framed.

They later withdrew their confessions and claimed they had been tortured during interrogations - a claim that the police has denied.

Mr Prayuth said: "We will not block the right of the suspects to fight the case and we can even test their DNA again if there is suspicion that they are not the culprits.

"If people think that there is no justice in this case then we will be happy to test again."

Thailand's human rights commission has launched an inquiry into the claims of police torture.

The country remains under martial law after a military coup in May and the murders may have affected the number of people visiting the country. Tourism accounts for some 10% of the Thai economy.