The Burmese interpreter and Nakhon Chomphuchat,
who has been assisting the convicted Burmese nationals since the beginning of
court procedures, recently visited Win and Zaw on 29 November in the jail.
Win and Zaw urged the lawyer
to pursue the case, stated U Htoo Chit, executive
director of the
Foundation for Education and Development (FED) which is based
in Thailand. He has posted the
information on his social media page.
"They have appealed to the lawyers to seek
a reduction in their life sentence terms under the
Thai amnesty procedure," he added.
He also stated that both Win and Zaw have shown good health and mental strength.
Win is a resident of Kar Hpi Chaung village and
Zaw hails from Mi Chaung Yae Thauk village under Kyauk Phyu township.
After spending over nine years behind bars,
they have made themselves comfortable with the surroundings. They can now speak
Thai language fluently.
Htoo Chit also mentioned
that both Win and Zaw had
requested for an
opportunity to meet their family members. However,
they admitted that due to the current
political situation in Myanmar, the family members may not be able
to reach Thailand.
The duo faced charges of murder, rape, and
theft in Koh Samui provincial court of Thailand. These charges are related to
the murder of two British nationals namely David Miller and Hannah Witheridge
at Koh Tao island in Surat Thani province of southern Thailand in September
2014.
On 24 December 2015, the Koh Samui provincial
court sentenced both of them to the death penalty for the murder. They were
also sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping Hannah Witheridge, two years
for theft, one and a half years for staying overnight, six months for illegally
entering Thailand, and another six months for illegally residing in the
country.
On 14 August 2020, the Thai king granted
clemency and converted the death penalty to life
imprisonment.