Thailand 2014: Thai Police Hunts Suspect For Killing Two British Tourist Found On Southern Thailand Beach

Thailand Police officials are now on the hunt for the possible suspect or suspects for the assault incident that killed two British tourists found on the beach in Southern Thailand beach.

The two British victims were identified by the Thai police as a 23-year old woman from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and a 24-year old man from Jersey, Channel Islands. Their bodies were found early Monday on a small island known for its diving sites and placid beaches called Koh Tao. The authorities said that the victims were beaten on their heads in a gruesome attack on Sunday night.

The two British tourists had arrived in Thailand on August 25. Their naked bodies were found with several wounds 30 meters from a beachside bungalow on the island of Koh Tao. The police also found a bloodstained hoe and was thought to be the murder weapon.

Thailand Police authorities are currently conducting investigations and are searching for witnesses of the crime. The police are also checking closed circuit TV cameras on nearby establishments and restaurants to aid in hunting or identifying possible suspect or motive of the crime.  

The UK Foreign Office said on Monday that it was looking into the deaths of the two British tourists on September 15 and are investigating the reports. The agency also said that the British consul in Bangkok was traveling to Koh Tao and that they are seeking information from the local authorities.

Local Thai police official Jakkrapan Kaewkhao said to the AFP News Agency that the two British tourists had been murdered and found naked on a rocky beach on the island in Surat Thani province, which is a popular diving site. The police also reported that the two victims had deep head wounds that believed to be caused by the hoe, the weapon found near the bodies.

Local media reports said that there had been a beach party for about 50 people, mostly tourists on Sunday night that lasted through Monday morning. A seaside resort employee of whom the victims were staying told AFP that the bodies were discovered behind large rock on the beach.

The island of Koh Tao, which is famously known for their adventure action sports and their tranquil beaches are currently on a lockdown as the authorities launched a manhunt to find the murder suspect or suspects.

The attack occurred during government efforts to resuscitate Thailand's profitable tourism industry after recently been battered after a protracted political crisis ended an overthrow which blanket the country with a curfew and austere martial law. Meanwhile, the curfew was promptly lifted from the key tourist hotspots. The Thailand military officials have sworn to clean up the kingdom's tourist resorts after several grievances of scams, assaults and even police extortion.

The Thai Police officials are continuing their manhunt operations in search for the suspect or suspects of the crime that killed the two British tourists.

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