Five Thai nationals have been charged with the murder of a local youth who was beaten to death in the street while at home on holiday from his studies at a British university, police said today.

Several people reportedly beat Darren Kang Thien Hua, 23, to death on July 6 after he confronted them about remarks they had allegedly made about his fiancee.

The attackers were armed with iron rods, steel chairs and sticks, media reports have said.

The five in custody appeared in a court yesterday and were refused bail, the Bernama news agency said. They were workers at a popular eatery in upmarket Sri Hartamas and were all from southern Thailand.

Overstaying charge

They were identified as Sulkifli, 18, Waeryusoh Waesalae, 23, Abdunloh Maming, 19, Abdul Torleh Yama, 24 and Masukri Ibrahim, 24.

The five have also been charged with overstaying their visas, a police spokesman told AFP. Other alleged attackers are at large, he said.

Kang, a student at Sheffield University in Britain, was reportedly walking with his fiancee when a group made remarks about her that angered him. When he confronted them, a fight ensued involving several people.

Kang's murder has gripped the nations' attention, adding to concern about a soaring crime rate amid reports of increased theft and other crimes.