A British student murdered in a popular beach in Thailand's Koh Tao island is believed to have been raped before she was killed as officials consider measures to ensure tourists' safety while in the country.

On September 15, two British tourists were found dead in the famed island beach and were later identified as 23-three-year-old Hannah Witheridge and 24-year-old David Miller.

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Both remains were half naked when authorities located them while their bloodied clothes were found nearby. A bloodstained garden hoe, which investigators believed to be the murder weapon, was also located near the scene.

Investigators believed that there were three people involved in the attack.

Following examination of Witheridge's remains, Thai police officers believe that two of the assailants raped the female victim before killing her as they found two sets of DNA.

"Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder. We are confident we have a very high chance of finding the suspects," Region 8 Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Panya Mamen told the Bangkok Post.

Around 200 DNA samples collected from the people of Koh Tao were considered as basis for comparative analysis as results are expected to be released within the week.

In recent developments of the probe, DNA samples were taken from a group of at least eight Thai footballers who allegedly threw the party at the pub where the victims were last seen alive.

Meanwhile, fears for Thailand's tourism had resurfaced following the year-long political unrest after a military coup.

Following the British tourists' deaths, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul proposed a way of protecting foreign visitors during their stay in the country.

"When tourists check into a hotel they will be given a wristband with a serial number that matches their ID and shows the contact details of the resort they are staying in so that if they're out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted," Kobkarn told the Bangkok Post.

TagsThailand, British, Rape, Murder, victim