Copyright
PA Media
British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed in September 2014
The family of a British backpacker killed in Thailand has welcomed a decision to live the death sentences of his killers in prison.
Two Burmese workers were sentenced to death in 2015 after being found guilty of murdering David Miller, 24, of Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, of Norfolk.
Their saints have been revisited to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday and to show his “clemency”.
Mr Miller’s family said they were ‘grateful’ to the Thai king.
The bodies of Mr Miller and Miss Witheridge were found in 2014 on a beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao.
Lin and Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun) were sentenced to death for the murder of Mr. Miller and the murder and rape of Mrs. Witheridge.
Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were convicted of murder in a Thai court and originally sentenced to death
In a statement, Ian and Sue Miller, who campaigned against the death penalty, said: “We are grateful to His Majesty, the King of Thailand, for showing his strength to the murderers of our son David.
‘Reveal truth’
“Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo have finally admitted to the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge and the murder of our son.”
“The final admission of their guilt has allowed this act of madness to become possible,” they continued.
The family said it had concluded a “lengthy and disruptive period” where social media activists sought to influence justice in Thailand and public opinion elsewhere.
“But in the end, the truth has been revealed,” the couple added.
Copyright
Reuters
The bodies of Mr Miller and Miss Witheridge were found on a beach on the Thai island of Koh Tao.
Miss Witheridge, a University of Essex student from Hemsby, Norfolk, and Mr Miller, a civil and structural engineer from Jersey, were killed.
‘Thoughts with thunderstorms’
A post-mortem examination revealed she had been raped.
Mr and Mrs Miller, from St Helier, said: “Every moment we miss our son.
“Our thoughts are also with the Witheridge family and the tragic loss of their daughter.
“We hope that these two murderers will now spend a very, very long time in prison, where they will not be able to harm other families and have time to reflect on the consequences of their actions.”
The two men were convicted and convicted in 2015 and the conviction was upheld in 2017 by an appellate court and the Supreme Court in August 2019.
The beliefs were shrouded in controversy, with supporters of both men claiming they were framed because their first confessions were made under duress.
A royal decree said the saints were recognized on July 28 to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday and to illustrate “the king’s confession”.
