Chonburi Police Clarify Investigation Details of Murdered Thai Family and Reject Online Claims Linking Murder Suspects to Officers
CHONBURI, Thailand
Chonburi Provincial Police on Sunday held a press conference and issued an official statement addressing public concerns over the discovery of three bodies of a Thai family linked to the murder of two young Russian siblings, while firmly denying rumors that the four suspects have any family or operational ties to police officers.
Police Colonel Wasuratch Chaitheerapat, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, led the briefing at 1:00 p.m. on August 2nd, 2026, at the Command Center of Huai Yai Police Station. He was joined by Police Colonel Phasakorn Phaichit, Investigation Superintendent of Chonburi Provincial Police; Police Colonel Warawut Nittayawan, Superintendent of Huai Yai Police Station; and other officers.
The officials provided updates on the expanded investigation into the July 26th, 2026, murders of two Russian siblings, Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimova, 17, who disappeared while riding a motorcycle to a convenience store early in the morning in the Huai Yai subdistrict. The suspects later led police to the burial site near a forested area in the vicinity of Khao Chi Chan. During questioning, the same group confessed to an earlier robbery-murder of a Thai family of three whose remains were found in a nearby coconut plantation in Village 10, Huai Yai, roughly two kilometers away.
The three Thai victims, identified in reports as father Wichian Wongsa (about 53), mother Chantana Chat-in (about 50), and daughter Nichapha Wongsa (about 18), had been reported missing since late June 2026. Relatives filed a missing persons report at Huai Yai Police Station on July 7th. The suspects allegedly impersonated police officers, entered the home under false pretenses related to drugs or debts, handcuffed the victims, robbed them, and shot them before burying the bodies in a single pit.
Four men have been arrested in connection with both cases: Thana “Pong” Koetthong, 43; Thongchai “Thong” Srinil, 39; Chatchanan “Fluke” Pan-iam; and Atsadang “Ball” Chuwong. Some of the suspects had recently been released from prison. Police say the group used similar tactics of posing as police officers in both incidents. The cases have drawn high-level attention, including visits by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior police officials, who ordered thorough investigations and no bail for the suspects.
In a separate public relations statement issued the same day, Chonburi Provincial Police directly addressed circulating claims on social media and in some reports that the four accused are children of police officers, maintain close relationships with officers, or were hired or directed by police to commit the crimes.
“After checking personal history registration databases, investigation records, and related evidence, no facts were found that the four suspects are children of police officers or have any related connections with police officers as claimed,” the statement said. “There is also no evidence that the four suspects received support, orders, or committed the crimes on behalf of police officers.”
The force stated that both cases are being handled strictly according to evidence and the rule of law, with no selective treatment or assistance provided to the perpetrators. Investigations will continue to expand and all involved will be prosecuted under the law. Members of the public with relevant information or evidence are urged to contact police for verification and further action.
The press conference and statement come amid earlier concerns from the Thai family’s relatives about communication gaps during the missing persons investigation. Police have acknowledged the need for improved updates to families in such cases while stressing that the probe is proceeding on the basis of solid evidence and that the investigation into the missing Thai family had been ongoing at the time of the discovery.
