Thai court hands death penalty for two Myanmar murderers

SURAT THANI, THAILAND, December 24 (TNA) - The Samui provincial court in Thailand's southern resort Surat Thani Province has sentenced two Myanmar migrant workers to death for murdering two British tourists on Tao Island off Surat Thani in September 2014. Taken by Samui warders, the Myanmar defendants, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, both aged 22, arrived at the court on Thursday morning with calm faces to hear the ruling. Representatives of the British Embassy to Thailand and human rights organizations, as well as the parents of David Miller, one of the victims, were also present at the court room. The two Myanmar men were found guilty of murdering Miller and Hannah Witheridge, both 24 years old, on Sai Ree Beach of Tao Island in Surat Thani's Koh Pha-ngan District on September 15, 2014. Win Zaw Tun was also found guilty of illegal immigration. Legal officials of the Myanmar Embassy to Thailand and lawyers of the Lawyers Council of Thailand who are in charge of the case told journalists after the court's ruling that they will appeal within 30 days. (TNA)