BANGKOK, Thailand - Thai authorities have banned beach parties on some holiday islands after the murder of two British backpackers last month, an official said on Monday. The bodies of Britons Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on the tourist island of Koh Tao, or Turtle Island, on Sept. 15. Two Myanmar men have been arrested and charged with the murders.
Chatpong Chatputhi, governor of Surat Thani province which includes Koh Tao, said all beach parties would be banned - with the exception of a Full Moon Party on Phangan island - following negative publicity after the murders. "We've reached a point where we need to clean up the image of tourism in the province including beach parties that can get out of control and lead to violence," Chatpong told Reuters. "This is aimed at tourists' safety. Sometimes these parties are held at secluded locations that are difficult to reach and where we cannot offer adequate protection."