Confusion over Thailand trial after Britons murdered

A plea to postpone the start of the pre-trial hearings of two Burmese men charged with the murder of two UK tourists in Thailand has been rejected.

Defence lawyers wanted a delay to allow more time to prepare but it was decided that pre-trial testimony from three witnesses should be heard in court on Tuesday.

The men apparently confessed to the killings earlier this month and police have denied subsequent reports the pair then withdrew their confessions.

The BBC's Jonathan Head said that the situation was "a bit of a mess".