Thailand’s government will allow British detectives to help investigate the case involving the murder of two British citizens on Koh Tao island.

The prime minister of Thailand’s military government, Prayut Chan-o-cha, accepted the UK’s offer to assist in the investigation during a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron on the sidelines of the ASEM summit of European and Asian leaders in Milan.

Shortly after the two Britons were murdered on 15 September, Thai police detained two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, as prime suspects in the case.

Although Thai police officers have been accused of torturing the two suspects in order to obtain their confessions, Thai police authorities have denied these accusations.

[related]

Many people believe the Thai police investigation was flawed, and nearly 100,000 people sent a petition to the British government calling for an independent investigation.

The Bangkok Post also reported that Thailand’s most-respected forensic specialist, Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, cast doubt on the investigation by pointing out that Thai detectives neglected to request assistance from forensic pathologists.

The Burmese suspects are both 21 years-old and from Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township. They are being detained on charges related to the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and the murder of David Miller, 24, both from England. The British couple were bludgeoned to death while visiting the Thai resort island of Koh Tao last month.