Chonburi: The bodies of two Russian siblings have been found buried in a 1-meter deep pit in the Sak Ngaew forest, located in the Huai Yai Subdistrict of Bang Lamung District. The discovery comes amid an ongoing investigation involving suspects known as "Pong" and "Thong," who are accused of murdering and disposing of the bodies of a Thai family, including parents and a child, in June. The investigation also led to the arrest of two other gang members, missing since June 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, police have detained Mr. Thana, or "Pong," and Mr. Thongchai, or "Thong," under arrest warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. They are charged with nighttime theft using a vehicle or receiving stolen goods. The suspects were taken to the site where they reportedly confessed to burying the Russian siblings' bodies to conceal their crime. Prior arrests of both suspects took place in Wang Somboon District, Sa Kaeo Province, before they were brought back to Thailand for further investigation.
During the excavation process, the bodies of the Russian siblings were found in the same pit, with the woman's body beneath the man's. While both had their hands tied behind their backs, the man suffered gunshot wounds to the temple and abdomen, and the woman only showed signs of bruising. This gruesome discovery is linked to the same suspects who allegedly murdered three Thai family members in June, a case reported to police by relatives on July 7th.
In their criminal modus operandi, the gang disguised themselves as police officers to gain access to homes and commit theft. Disturbingly, it is reported that Mr. Pong would impersonate a police officer, handcuff the victims, and then proceed to murder them. The gang's subsequent actions involved burying their victims to hide their tracks. The investigation revealed that Mr. Pong shot the mother, Mr. Ball shot the father, and Mr. Fluke shot the child, all accomplices in these heinous acts.
The police investigation continues to unravel the extent of the gang's criminal activities, which reportedly include similar crimes committed on previous occasions. Authorities took Mr. Pong and Mr. Thong to a coconut grove about 2 kilometers from the initial crime scene, where they discovered the graves of the Thai family.
The arrest of additional suspects, Mr. Chachanan, or Fluke, and Mr. Asadang, or Ball, has shed more light on the gang's operations. Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai Surachetphong, Commander of Provincial Police Region 2, confirmed the discovery of the Russian siblings' bodies in the Sak Ngaew forest area, noting that the victims were found without any wrapping or concealment.
As investigations progress, authorities are exploring whether the suspects are connected to other unsolved cases, given that Mr. Pong was only released from prison two months ago. The investigation into the Russian siblings' disappearance has inadvertently provided crucial leads, helping to uncover the fate of the missing Thai family.
Ms. Tukata, the sister of one of the deceased Thai family members, expressed her grief and suspicion that her brother-in-law might have known more about the disappearances. Despite her efforts to track her missing family members through phone signals and police reports, the breakthrough only came through the investigation into the Russian siblings' case.