Pattaya court hear charges over five killings

Pattaya Provincial Court has accepted an indictment against alleged ringleader Thana Kerdthong, known as Pong, and other suspects over the killings of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three.

The Pattaya Provincial Public Prosecutor's Office filed the case on Wednesday, September 30, under case No. A.1038/2569. The charges stem from the disappearance of Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, on July 26, and the discovery of their bodies days later in a shallow grave in Huai Yai.

The siblings had lived in Thailand with their mother since 2021. Their case, and the deaths of the Thai family, are being handled as linked investigations but under separate case files.

Nine counts in the Pattaya indictment

Prosecutors listed nine offences, including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition; carrying firearms and explosives in public without justification; impersonating police; unlawful detention; and aggravated robbery at night while posing as officials.

The indictment also includes premeditated murder, rape by force while a victim was unable to resist involving a firearm and resulting in death, acts of cruelty, and concealing, moving or destroying bodies to hide the deaths and their circumstances.

Thana, 43, had been released from prison in early June 2026 after serving time for attempted murder and related offences. His prior record also included firearms convictions.

He was arrested with Thongchai "Thong" Srinil, 39, on July 31 in a longan orchard in Wang Sombun district, Sa Kaeo province, near the Cambodian border. Police said the pair were hiding and reportedly attempting to flee Thailand.

Siblings vanished after early-morning journey

Diana and Roman left home on a Honda ADV motorcycle at about 4am on July 26, intending to visit a convenience store. Their mother reported them missing after they failed to return.

Investigators later found the motorcycle dismantled and buried near an old cemetery in Huai Yai. According to police accounts and initial statements reported by Thai media, the suspects said they had targeted the motorcycle for theft.

Police alleged that Roman was shot after the siblings resisted, while Diana was fatally beaten. Thongchai said he had been ordered to help bury the bodies under threat.

The pair led officers to a forested area near Wat Yan Sangwararam and Map Fak Thong hill, where the remains were recovered from a grave about one metre deep. Roman had gunshot wounds and Diana showed signs of physical assault.

Thai family deaths uncovered nearby

Suspects also directed police to a coconut grove around two kilometres away, where officers found the bodies of Wichian Nawongsa, his wife and their teenage daughter. The family had been missing since late June.

Police said the group posed as officers to enter the family's home, robbed them, raped the daughter, before killing them. Two further suspects, Chatchanan "Fluke" Paen-aiam and Atsadang "Ball" Chuwong, were later arrested.

All four suspects were denied bail in early August due to the seriousness of the allegations and risk of flight. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the sites and promised a full investigation, referring to potential damage to Thailand's tourism image.

The defendants all remain in custody and the cases will proceed under the Thai  justice system. The charges can carry the death penalty, which the Thai victims' family has demanded.

State compensation of 300,000 baht was later paid to each set of heirs, totalling 1.5 million baht.

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1 October 2026

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