Revealed: The Past Violent Criminal History of the Main Suspect “Pong” in Brutal Slaying of Thai Family of 3 and 2 Russian Siblings Near Pattaya
Pattaya
Authorities and local residents are revisiting a 2018 shooting incident involving Mr. Pong, the main suspect and alleged ringleader of a group of criminals now connected to a high-profile murder case in which five people, two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three, were brutally murdered and buried near Pattaya during robbery attempts.
On August 4th, 2026, The Pattaya News reporters visited a row of shophouses in Soi Kok Lang, Ban Thung Lahan, Moo 8, Huai Yai Subdistrict. The location was the scene of a late-night gun attack in early October 2018 carried out by Thana “Pong” Koetthong, then 35/36.
Pong opened fire into the shophouse with a handgun, seriously wounding one man. He was later arrested by officers from Huai Yai Police Station, convicted, and imprisoned and served just over seven years. He was released in June 2026 and has since been linked within just weeks of his release to the recent killings that have shocked the public, drawing scrutiny and questions from netizens on any rehabilitation efforts during his prison time and risk assessments before release.
Mrs. Thip, 65, the owner of the shophouse, described the night of the attack. At around 11 p.m., gunfire erupted. She stepped outside and shouted at the unknown shooter: “Why are you shooting at my house?” Only later, after village headmen and police arrived, did she learn the gunman was Pong who was reportedly known as a local troublemaker. She said he made no move to harm her at the time. “I dared to confront him because I am a tough woman and I’m not afraid of or intimidated by anyone,” she recalled.
Mr. Tom, 38, who was present that night and is a senior acquaintance of the injured man, provided further details by phone. According to him, a 24-year-old man known as Bom rode a loud motorcycle past Pong in the soi. After Bom returned to the shophouse, Pong followed, an argument broke out reportedly over the noise, and the two men fought before separating. Pong rode away.
About 10 minutes later, Pong returned on his motorcycle and fired approximately five shots into the shophouse where Bom and others were staying. Everyone fled through the rear of the building except Mrs. Thip. Roughly an hour later, around midnight, Pong lay in wait outside. When Bom stepped out to relieve himself, Pong fired two more rounds, striking him in the abdomen and causing serious injuries. Bom was rushed to Banglamung Hospital.
Bom, originally from Amnat Charoen Province, has since returned to live in his home province.
Court records show the Pattaya Provincial Court issued arrest warrant No. 444/2561 on October 7th, 2018, charging Pong with attempted murder and firearms offences. He was arrested on October 13th, 2018, at a residence in Banglamung District, by patrol officers from Nong Prue Police Station and handed over to Huai Yai Police.
No firearm was recovered. Pong admitted using a .38-calibre revolver and claimed he threw it into the sea behind Ban Amphoe Temple after the shooting. Police searched the area with divers and metal detectors from Investigation Division Region 2 but found nothing. Officers later suspected he may have hidden the weapon or given it to someone else. Pong was sent to Pattaya Provincial Court and then to Pattaya Special Prison.
He completed his sentence and was released in June 2026. Authorities are now examining his earlier violent history as part of the investigation into the recent killings of five people.This was not Pong’s only prior violent incident or arrest and he also had been arrested multiple times in the past on reported charges of various firearm violence, rape (including allegedly with a minor), and more leading to questions by netizens about why he was released in what to some appears to be a short period of time as someone who appears to be a habitual violent criminal. Prison officials meanwhile said standard procedures were followed to the letter and that Pong served his sentence properly in regards to legal conditions set out by the courts.
