Bangkok, July 8 (IANS): Two Myanmar nationals, who are accused of murdering two British tourists in southern Thailand last year, appeared before a court on the resort island of Koh Samui on Wednesday.

Two 22-year-old Myanmar nationals, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, were arrested two weeks after Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found brutally murdered on the beach on Koh Tao, on September 15, 2014.

Attorneys for the two Myanmar suspects have claimed that there appeared to be a discrepancy between DNA evidence held by Thai police and DNA samples tested by British police, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported.

Thai authorities previously stated that forensic evidence, including DNA samples from cigarette butts found near the bodies, tied the men to the scene.

The families of the British victims arrived at Koh Samui earlier in the day for the opening of the trial. They have refused to comment on the case so far.

A verdict in the case is not expected before October.