Hunt going on for murderers of two British tourists in Thai South

SURAT THANI, THAILAND, September 22 (TNA) - Thai police have continued hunting for suspected killers of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand off Surat Thani Province in the Thai South. Police of the Koh Samui Police Station have arrested two friends of a drug-abusing speedboat attendant, as they were suspected of involving in the murder on September 15, after the speedboat attendant, Lerpong Suksomboon, was arrested on September 21 while hiding in Laem Kaki Cave located between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, Police questioned the suspect on Sunday night, when he remained under narcotic influences and denied his involvement in the murder. However, police have collected samples of his hair and nails for DNA tests at Police General Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok, with a result expected shortly. The police arrested a friend of the speedboat attendant on Monday morning when he was also under narcotic influences, as well as another friend, identified as Jom, who is a long boat driver, as the police learned that they had been on Koh Tao on the day of the murder. Government Spokesman Dr. Yongyuth Maiyalarp told journalists, meanwhile, that Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered full efforts for the ongoing investigation into the case and intensified security measures to protect international tourists. The spokesman said, "on behalf of the Thai government, please have confidence in the work of all parties, as police have been tracing culprits and making progress." The spokesman assured that authorities have been working hard at their best. (TNA)