UPDATE: Pattaya court denies bail in Huai Yai cases over deaths of Russian siblings and Thai family of three

Pattaya Provincial Court denied bail on 1 August 2026 in two related Huai Yai cases concerning the deaths of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three. The court cited the seriousness of the alleged offences, the severe potential penalties and the risk of flight. Police prosecutors opposed bail, according to The Thaiger.

Huai Yai Police Station escorted four suspects to court on the morning of 1 August for formal detention. They were identified as Thanatip “Pong” Kerdthong, 43, identified as Thana Kerdthong in earlier reporting; Thongchai Srinil, 39, known as Thong; Atsadang, known as Ball; and Chatchanan, known as Fluke. The Phuket Express reported that all four confessed during police questioning.

According to The Thaiger, police sought an initial 12-day detention period, from 1 to 12 August, in the Russian siblings case while investigators continued gathering evidence. The same court also denied bail in the related case involving the Thai family, identified as case F.597/2569. The Thaiger reported that correctional officers transferred Thanatip and Thongchai to Pattaya Remand Prison after the ruling.

The reported charges in the Russian siblings case include jointly committing premeditated murder, nighttime robbery, committing an offence to obtain a benefit or conceal another crime, impersonating police officers while armed, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The reported charges in case F.597/2569 include jointly committing premeditated murder, nighttime robbery, impersonating police officers and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

While in custody, Thongchai apologised to the victims’ relatives and claimed that Pong had forced him to participate. He said he did not know the victims and blamed Pong for the killings. The families said they were not interested in the apology and called for the death penalty.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul travelled to the Pattaya area that afternoon to follow the investigation into the five deaths. He cut short a planned visit to Suphan Buri and was expected to attend a police briefing. Anutin said the killings had damaged Thailand’s reputation for tourist safety and called for severe punishment if the suspects were convicted. He also said they should receive no special assistance.

The investigation began after Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, disappeared on the morning of 26 July after leaving their home in Huai Yai subdistrict for a convenience store on a Honda ADV 150 motorcycle. The siblings had lived in Thailand with their mother since 2021.

Police arrested Thanatip Kerdthong and Thongchai Srinil on 31 July in Wang Sombun district of Sa Kaeo province. Officers said the men were allegedly attempting to flee to another country.

According to police, the two men confessed to killing the siblings during an attempt to steal their motorcycle. Police allege that the suspects posed as law enforcement officers, restrained the siblings and attacked them after they resisted. Roman was allegedly shot, while Diana was fatally assaulted. The bodies were buried in a forested area of Huai Yai, about two kilometres from the alleged crime scene, and the motorcycle was dismantled and buried separately.

The suspects led officers to the burial site late on Friday night, 31 July. Initial examinations indicated that Roman had gunshot injuries to the head and abdomen, while Diana showed signs of severe physical assault. Police reported no preliminary evidence of sexual assault.

Police questioning also linked the case to the disappearance of Wichian, 53, Chantana, 50, and their 18-year-old daughter, Nichapha, who were reported missing in mid-June. Their bodies were later found in a nearby coconut plantation. Investigators said the suspected motive was robbery, and two further suspects in the Thai-family case remained at large.

Provincial Police Region 2 Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Chatchai Surachetphong said some parts of the confessions were consistent with physical evidence. Police were continuing forensic work and pursuing other suspects. Two other men arrested earlier over burying the motorcycle denied involvement in the deaths, and officers were investigating their roles in the wider case.

Authorities said they would assist the Russian family, including with repatriating the siblings’ remains. Anutin called for a swift and rigorous investigation to restore public confidence.