Thai PM Apologises to Russians After Five Murders Rock Chonburi
Thai PM Apologises to Russians After Five Murders Rock Chonburi
BANGKOK, 3 August 2026 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has apologised to Russian visitors and ordered tighter security measures following the deaths of two Russian siblings and three members of a Thai family in Chonburi province, describing the killings as a serious blow to Thailand’s international reputation.
Accompanied by National Police chief Kitrat Phanphet, Anutin travelled to Chonburi on Aug. 1 to inspect two crime scenes linked to the investigation.
The Prime Minister first visited a site near a motorway where the bodies of the Russian siblings had been buried before proceeding to another nearby location where the bodies of a Thai father, mother and daughter were recovered from a single grave the previous night.
After receiving a briefing from investigators, Anutin acknowledged that the case had damaged confidence in Thailand, particularly in Chonburi and Pattaya, two internationally renowned tourist destinations.
“We must restore confidence as much as possible,” he said, warning that allowing such crimes to continue would encourage repeat offenders.
Anutin said the murders had tarnished the country’s image because both foreign visitors and Thai citizens had fallen victim. He stressed that the government must reassure both tourists and the public that similar incidents would not be allowed to happen again.
The Prime Minister instructed security agencies to increase patrols, particularly in isolated areas where serious crimes could be committed or concealed.
He also offered an apology to Russian nationals, expressing regret that the killings had occurred in Thailand.
“We must give foreigners the greatest possible confidence,” he said. “I apologise to the Russian people and offer my condolences, especially when they have encouraged people from their country to visit ours.”
Anutin emphasised that the case reflected the actions of individual criminals rather than the overall safety of Thailand.
“This was an outrageous incident, but it does not mean that our country is unsafe,” he said. “It was the act of bad individuals.”
Regarding the investigation, Anutin said authorities believe robbery may have been a motive and that the victims were allegedly killed to prevent identification. He also noted that the suspects appeared to have been familiar with the local area, given the locations chosen for the killings and the concealment of the bodies.
Police believe two principal suspects had previously been released from prison before the latest crimes. Authorities are also investigating reports that four people may have been involved in the murders of the Thai family, while two suspects have already been taken into custody as part of the wider investigation.
Responding to public calls for the death penalty, Anutin said Thailand’s laws already provide capital punishment for the most serious offences, but stressed that any sentence must be determined by the courts following the full judicial process.
He added that the government would carefully handle decisions involving sentence reductions or parole for offenders convicted of grave crimes and pledged to ensure public confidence in the justice system.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the five deaths, the roles of each suspect, and whether the killings of the Russian siblings and the Thai family were carried out by the same criminal group.
