Pattaya: In a shocking development, Thong has expressed remorse to the families of the victims, claiming that his involvement in the crime was coerced by Pong, who allegedly threatened his family's safety. The case has taken a grim turn as Thong, along with Pong, Ball, and Fluke, faces charges related to the murder and concealment of five bodies.
According to Thai News Agency, the police from Huai Yai Police Station escorted Mr. Thana, known as "Pong," and Mr. Thongchai, or "Thong," from their detention cell to request a remand order from the Pattaya Provincial Court. Both are charged with murder and the concealment of victims' bodies. While in custody, Pong displayed a calm demeanor, mostly keeping his head down and avoiding questions from the media, though he occasionally glanced at reporters. Notably, Pong's left eye was swollen and bruised, but he refused to comment on his motives or apologize to the victims' families.
During the proceedings, Thong appeared tense and kept his head lowered while heading to the prisoner transport vehicle, surrounded by weeping relatives of the three victims. The victims' families, present at the remand hearing, demanded answers for the tragic loss of their loved ones-a father, mother, and child. Upon hearing the cries of the victims' relatives, Thong apologized, explaining that he was unaware of the victims' identities and was forced by Pong to participate, fearing for his family's safety.
Family members of the deceased acknowledged Thong's apology but refrained from further commentary, emphasizing their desire for judicial proceedings to take their course. A grieving relative expressed frustration over the perceived slow progress of the investigation, citing a lack of updates and initial police unavailability when the family was reported missing.
The families also refuted rumors connecting the deceased to drug activity, asserting their integrity. Although the female victim had a prior imprisonment, she had since dedicated herself to honest work, producing pork rinds to support her family. Financially, the family had previously taken out small daily loans to manage expenses, including university fees for their daughter, but maintained regular payments and had no known disputes with Pong. Thong, who lived nearby, was occasionally seen but exhibited no suspicious behavior.
Mr. Suksan Missajanchai, President of the Pattaya Bar Association, attended the interrogation of the suspects, underscoring the gravity of the charges, which could carry the death penalty. Legal procedures require the presence of a lawyer during interrogation, as mandated by Section 134/1 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The suspects have confessed to premeditated murder and related charges, but details remain undisclosed to protect the case's integrity. Allegations of mental illness among the suspects require medical evaluation to assess any impact on criminal responsibility or sentencing. As of now, no confirmation regarding their mental health status has been provided.