TWO Burmese men accused of the murder of 2 British backpackers on the Thai island of Koh Tao have retracted their confessions.

The pair, both aged 21, reportedly told their lawyers they were tortured by Thai Police into confessing.

 Police say Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, killed Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao island - claiming they were jealous.

The handcuffed suspects, who are charged with murder, rape and robbery, appeared before a judge on the neighbouring island of Koh Samui on Saturday.

However, Aung Myo Thant, a Burmese embassy official described as a lawyer, has now formally retracted their confessions, according to Burma's 7Day newspaper.

"They told me that they were on the beach that night drinking and singing songs," he was quoted as saying.

"They said they didn't do it, that the Thai police beat them until they confessed to something they didn't do.

"They're pleading with the Burmese government to look into the case and find out the truth. They were a really pitiful sight. Their bodies had all sorts of bruises."