UPDATE Thai suspect's wife urges surrender in Russian siblings case Pictures courtesy of SiamRath Police in Chon Buri are continuing searches for two missing Russian siblings, while the wife of one of two fugitive suspects has appealed for him to hand himself in. Thanat, known as "Pong", 43, and Thongchai, known as "Thong", 39, are wanted on allegations of jointly committing night-time theft using a vehicle, or receiving stolen property. Police say both are also connected to the disappearance of the Russian children, whose fate remains unknown. Search teams have continued to check suspected locations in the Huai Yai area of Bang Lamung district. Wife believes Thong may have been threatened At 9.30am on 31 July, reporters visited a makeshift shelter in Moo 9, Huai Yai, about 100 metres from where motorcycle parts were buried. Som, 34, Thong's wife, said they had been together for about a year. She said her husband had known Pong only briefly and was not particularly close to him, but that the pair met through a group using methamphetamine and crystal meth. She claimed Pong had recently been released from prison when he began spending time with Thong. Som also alleged that Pong once tried to rape her at her sleeping place, but Thong saw what was happening and intervened. Som said it was her belief that Thong may initially have tried to get the Russian siblings away from Pong after learning that Pong intended to harmed them. However, she believed Pong may have threatened him into becoming involved. She last saw Thong on the morning of Monday, 27 July, when he came to see her and left 100 baht. He has not returned since. Som urged him to surrender, saying he would not escape justice by running. CCTV places both men near burial site A 56-year-old man identified only as Kon, who said he often went fishing with Thong, told reporters he saw Thong riding a red Honda Wave motorcycle near cattle pens close to the motorcycle burial site on either 28 or 29 July. Kon said he was certain it was Thong. He also suggested Thong, whom he described as fearful and someone who had never fought with anyone, may have become caught up in the alleged offence after being threatened by Pong, who he said had a gun. Dashboard-camera footage supplied by a local resident reportedly shows two men, identified by witnesses as Pong and Thong, leaving Thung Luang Soi on separate motorcycles at 6.07am on 29 July. One was a red Honda Wave, matching Kon's account. The camera was less than 100 metres from the motorcycle burial site. 31 July 2026
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