The two Myanmar nationals suspected of the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao will remain in detention while prosecutors wait for more evidence to file charges against them, authorities say.
Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin's lawyer yesterday asked prosecutors not to renew a 12-day detention order on the suspects and release them, but the request was rejected, said Surapong Kongchantuk a human rights lawyer from the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
Their detention has been renewed and the suspects will remain in custody until Nov 20, he said.
He did not elaborate on why prosecutors decided not to release the suspects on bail.
The suspects have been interrogated several times and should be released to prepare their defence, he said.
Mr Surapong said the pair were questioned again on Thursday and still deny they committed the murders. The human rights advocate said the Myanmar suspects have been deprived of their right to communicate with their lawyers.
"Both are presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.
It is difficult for the lawyers to communicate with their clients while they are in detention, he said. The suspects are unlikely to abscond as the Myanmar embassy is involved and their parents are staying in Thailand, Mr Surapong said.