Thailand police on the resort island of Koh Tao in southern Thailand investigated residences in the area Tuesday searching for clues into the slayings of two British tourists whose nearly naked, battered bodies were found on a beach on Monday, according to The Associated Press.
The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered Monday morning in a rocky alcove along the shore close to the hotel where they were staying, the AP reported.
Both had deep wounds and gashes to the head and face that police believe were inflicted by a bloodied hoe found near the bodies, according to the AP.
More than 70 police officers were deployed to Koh Tao, a popular diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, as the country's leaders called for a swift investigation into a pair of brutal killings that marked a new blow to Thailand's tourism industry, the AP reported.
Koh Tao, which is about 250 miles south of Bangkok, is known as a quiet, small and scenic island, and is a short boat ride from the better-known resort islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, the latter known for its "full moon" parties that attract young travelers from Thailand and abroad, according to the AP.
"This should not have happened in Thailand. It will affect our image in the eyes of international countries," said Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, according to the AP.
Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said police were working "to make an arrest as soon as possible," the AP reported.
The pair traveled to Koh Tao with friends and met each other on the island while staying in neighboring rooms at Ocean View Bungalows, said police Maj. Gen. Kiattipong Khawsamang, according to the AP.
"They went out to a bar and left together after 1 a.m. (Monday), according to closed circuit TV camera footage," he said, the AP reported.
Police have released still images from surveillance cameras in the area showing what police said were the two victims walking together hand-in-hand, according to the AP.
Another image from later in the morning showed a single man walking in the same direction, the AP reported. Police said the man looked Asian and was considered a prime suspect, but investigators were pursuing several leads,
"We are focusing on migrant workers because of the surrounding witnesses and evidence, including the video footage," Kiattipong said, according to the AP. "We are sweeping hotels, bars, businesses and residences of migrant workers on the beach to find the suspect."
The bodies of Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Williams, from Jersey, Channel Islands, were being sent Tuesday to forensic police in Bangkok, the AP reported.
