Pattaya Murder Case Moves to Court as Two Men Face Nine Criminal Charges
Pattaya Murder Case Moves to Court as Two Men Face Nine Criminal Charges
PATTAYA, Oct. 1, 2026 — Thai prosecutors have formally indicted two men on nine criminal charges over the alleged killing of a Russian brother and sister whose bodies were found buried in Huai Yai, Pattaya, bringing the high-profile case into formal court proceedings.
Pattaya Provincial Court accepted the indictment on Sept. 30. The defendants are 43-year-old Thana Kerdthong, known as “Pong,” and 39-year-old Thongchai Srinil, known as “Thong.”
The charges include illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms and explosives in public, impersonating police officers and unlawful detention.
Prosecutors have also accused the defendants of aggravated night-time robbery while posing as officials and using firearms, with the indictment alleging that the offences resulted in death and involved premeditated murder.
The indictment additionally includes allegations of rape by force involving a firearm and resulting in death, as well as concealing, moving or destroying bodies to conceal the deaths and circumstances surrounding them.
The case began after Russian siblings Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimov, 17, disappeared in the early hours of July 26. They had left their home in Huai Yai on a motorcycle and failed to return.
Their mother reported them missing. Investigators later discovered that their motorcycle had been dismantled and buried near an old cemetery in Huai Yai.
Police arrested Thana and Thongchai on July 31 in Sa Kaeo province after tracing them across several provinces. The investigation subsequently led officers to the siblings’ bodies, which had been buried in Huai Yai.
Police previously said the investigation indicated that the siblings had been targeted in a robbery. The suspects gave differing accounts during questioning, however, and their claims have not been tested in court.
Thongchai reportedly accused Thana of killing the siblings and said he was forced to help conceal their bodies. Thana admitted assaulting the victims but reportedly claimed the incident was linked to the theft of their motorcycle and denied the sexual-assault allegation.
Both men have remained in custody after Pattaya Provincial Court denied bail in August, citing the seriousness of the allegations, the potential severity of the penalties and concerns that the suspects could flee.
The investigation also expanded after police discovered the bodies of a Thai couple and their teenage daughter approximately two kilometres from the first burial site. Police have alleged that members of the same group posed as officials, detained the family and killed them during a robbery.
The Thai family’s case is being handled separately, although investigators have linked the two incidents.
The five victims’ families received 300,000 baht each in state compensation, for a total of 1.5 million baht, according to previous reports.
Thana also has a criminal record. The Department of Corrections previously confirmed that he was released on June 5 after serving seven years, seven months and 25 days for attempted murder, firearms and drug-related offences.
Some of the offences in the latest indictment carry potentially severe penalties, including capital punishment if the relevant legal requirements are established. However, any punishment will depend on the court’s findings and a conviction.
The defendants remain in custody as the case proceeds through Pattaya Provincial Court.
