Bang lamung: The Prime Minister personally visited the site where the body was found! Thailand still has the death penalty, but the punishment is under the authority of the court.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Police General Kittirat Panpetch, National Police Chief, and Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong, visited Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, to follow up on the progress of the investigation into the murder of a Russian national and the discovery of five bodies.
They traveled by helicopter, landing at the Viharn Sian helipad, before inspecting the location where the bodies of two Russian tourists were found in the Sak Ngaew forest area. Police and rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Pattaya City briefed them on the situation. They then proceeded to the location where the bodies of a family of three (father, mother, and child) were found in a coconut grove, approximately 2 kilometers away.
Following the site visit, Mr. Anutin stated that the government will not support reducing penalties for offenders in heinous crimes that affect public and tourist confidence. He also instructed officials to increase security measures and patrols in the area to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The Prime Minister also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and apologized to Russian tourists and citizens, emphasizing that this incident was the work of an individual criminal and did not reflect a general lack of safety in Thailand. He affirmed that authorities would expedite the search for all those involved and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Regarding cases of repeat offenders with a criminal record, the Prime Minister stated that a review of law enforcement measures is necessary and instructed investigators to meticulously prepare case files to ensure that the courts can fully consider and impose penalties.
Regarding the public outcry demanding the death penalty for the offenders, Mr. Anutin stated that Thailand still has the death penalty in its law, but the punishment is under the discretion of the courts. The government has a duty to prosecute offenders fully through the justice system to ensure that offenders receive punishment according to the law and that this does not set a bad example for society.
The Prime Minister then proceeded to receive a briefing on the investigation results and the arrest of suspects in the case involving the discovery of five bodies, with Mr. Thana, or "Pong," and others as suspects, before closely monitoring the progress of the case.