Bang lamung: In a horrific case of the brutal murder of a Russian man, whose body was dismembered and buried, police have arrested two suspects, both Russians. Both deny the charges, but authorities are confident in the evidence, particularly CCTV footage showing the body parts being transported and buried.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage, dated January 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, shows two suspects riding two motorcycles away from a residence in a village in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The motorcycle seats were suspiciously open, suggesting something was underneath. It is believed the suspects murdered and dismembered the body of 30-year-old Russian national, Mikhail Emelianov, placing the parts in black bags and loading them into the motorcycles for burial to conceal the crime. Police investigated the suspicious behavior and traced CCTV footage along the suspected route to the location where the body was dumped. They also examined the suspects' timelines, finding periods where the victim was with them. Furthermore, they discovered the suspects hired two Thai individuals to create a false scenario, allegedly to help locate the victim. These two Thai individuals became key witnesses, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants and the successful arrest of the two suspects.
This horrific case began on January 8th when Mikhail's mother flew from Russia to Thailand to report his disappearance to police in Chonburi province. She feared for his safety, as he had been threatened by a fellow Russian national who demanded he repay a debt of over $120,000 (approximately 3.7 million baht). Police from Nong Prue Police Station and the Chonburi Provincial Investigation Division launched an intensive investigation. Finally, yesterday (February 1st, 2026), Mikhail's dismembered body was found buried near a pond in Soi Phatthanakan 4, Moo 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
The scene was a vacant plot of land approximately 10 rai in size. Several remains of the deceased were found buried in five separate locations, each about 1-2 meters apart. Nearby, clothing and a bag belonging to the deceased, worn on his last day, were also found buried in the soil. This is crucial evidence suggesting the body found is that of Mr. Mikhail, who had been missing since February 8th, a total of 23 days.
Police then invited the deceased's mother to confirm his identity. Upon seeing the body, she burst into tears and confirmed it was her son. She was unable to provide further testimony and had to return home to rest.
The two perpetrators, also Russian nationals, were arrested yesterday at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. They were identified as Yaroslav Temidov, 35, and Dmitry Masdalev, 38. They were taken to Nong Prue Police Station for questioning. Both appeared tense and denied all charges.
Initially, police charged them with jointly committing intentional murder, secretly burying, concealing, moving, or destroying a corpse to cover up the death or the cause of death, and demanding ransom by unlawfully detaining another person, committing acts of torture, cruelty, and brutality that resulted in the victim's death.
Regarding the motive for the brutal murder, it is believed to be a debt-related killing, as there were threatening messages regarding $120,000 in drugs (heroin), with threats that the victim's organs would be sold if the money was not repaid. Police will release details and updates on the case this afternoon.