Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, the 21-year-old Burmese migrants detained in Thailand on suspicion of murdering two British tourists, have appealed for any witnesses to the crime to come forward.

“We both wish to request anyone who could help as a witness in our case, or has evidence about the crimes we are suspected of, to urgently come forward and introduce yourselves to our lawyers and share your information with our defence team,” the pair wrote in a handwritten letter in Burmese. “This will really assist us in our defence and ensure justice is done for us, our family and the family of the victims. Please don’t be scared to assist us at our time of need. May you all be happy. Thank you. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo [a.k.a. Win Zaw Htun].”

According to British activist Andy Hall, a campaigner on behalf of Burmese migrants’ rights, the letter was written in Koh Samui Provincial Court on Tuesday and passed on to their defence team.

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A Thai judge, meanwhile, extended the order detaining the Burmese youngsters by another 12 days, the sixth time their detention has been extended. Thai law allows for a maximum of 84 days before charges must be pressed.

According to the Bangkok Post, public prosecutors are expected to indict the two Burmese this week.

Thawatchai Saengjaew, director-general of the Public Prosecution Office Region 8, is cited saying that prosecutors are expected to decide on the indictment by Thursday after reviewing additional evidence submitted by police on Monday.

All the evidence, including DNA results and witness accounts, are sufficient to indict them, he is reported saying.

Prior to Tuesday’s court decision to further remand the suspects, Min Oo, a member of Burmese embassy delegation that is coordinating defence for Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, told DVB that, “If remand is extended, we will object to the decision and again seek the bail that was rejected the previous week.”