Zaw Rim, Win ‘murdered’ Koh Tao backpackers Hannah Witherdige and David Miller

POLICE in Thailand reveal the fatal mistake by the two men accused of murdering UK backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the holiday island of Koh Tao.

National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said suspect Zaw Rim, 21, took Miller’s mobile phone from his dead body.
He wanted to use the phone for his own use but when he discovered the device could not be used in Thailand, he smashed and discarded it in his home, the Bangkok Post reported.
Police Colonel Prachum Ruangthong, superintendent of the Koh Phangan police station, said the device, a black iPhone 4, was taken from the shorts pocket of Miller, 24.

Charged with murder ... Zaw Rim, abd Win, 21, accused of killing two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand. 

Zaw Rim and Win, both 21, from Myanmar, have been charged with the premeditated murder, rape, theft of Witheridge and Miller and illegal entry into Thailand.
Zaw Rim and Win allegedly admitted they raped and killed Witheridge after they watched her and Miller, hugging and kissing on September 15. Miller suffered severe blows to the head and drowned in the surf, whereas Withridge was struck about the head after both of the accused raped her.
Police brought the accused to the crime scene Friday to re-enact their alleged crimes, a standard part of criminal investigations in Thailand.
Crowds of onlookers watched as the suspects were led to the rocky alcove along the shore where the two bodies were discovered.

Suffered severe blows to the head ... Backpacker David Miller, 24, was killed alongside Hannah Witheridge on the holiday island of Koh Tao, Thailand. Source: AAP

During the re-enactment, the two men wore flak jackets and motorcycle helmets as protection against angry residents, who fear the crime will damage tourism to the remote island.
“There was clear evidence: forensic evidence, (testimony from) witnesses and other evidence, as well as closed-circuit television footage,” Somyot told reporters. “The police and investigation teams have analysed all evidence and it’s clear that the two suspects committed the crime on that day.”
The pair have not yet been formally charged, Somyot said. They are expected to remain in custody until they are brought to court.

Raped twice ... Two Myanmar men have been charged with the brutal murder of backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao island in Thailand. Source: AAP

About 2.5 million people from Myanmar work in Thailand, most as domestic servants or in low-skilled manual labour industries like construction, fisheries or the garment sector.
Thailand’s military-installed government has described migrant workers as a threat to national security, and fears have been expressed that such workers could be scapegoats for the crime.
“From now on, we have to be careful not to let an incident like this be repeated,” said Prayuth, adding that he had asked the Labor Ministry to handle the issue of undocumented migrant workers since there were reports that the two suspects were working without proper legal papers.
Koh Tao, about 410km south of Bangkok, is a quiet, small island a short boat ride from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The latter is known for raucous “full moon” parties that attract young foreigners and Thais.