UPDATE Russian pair and Thai family found buried in Chon Buri Picture courtesy of Matichon Police have recovered the bodies of two Russian nationals and a Thai mother, father and daughter from separate burial sites in Huay Yai, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, following the detention of two suspects. On 1 August, officers took two men, identified as Pong and Thong, to indicate where the bodies had been buried. Police also named Chatchanan Paen-iam, known as Fluke, and Atsadang Chuwong, known as Ball, as alleged participants in the crimes. The cases emerged after an investigation into the disappearance of the two Russians led officers to suspects and further evidence concerning the missing Thai family. Two Russians found in one grave Pol Lt Gen Chatchai Surachetphong, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, said the Russian victims were found in the same roughly one-metre-deep grave in the Sakae Ngiao forest area of Huay Yai. The woman's body was beneath the man's. The woman had signs of physical assault, while the man had two gunshot wounds, to the abdomen and head. Both bodies were still clothed and had been placed directly in the ground without any wrapping. Investigators said the suspects' statements matched evidence in several respects. The suspects claimed they had intended only to steal a motorcycle, did not know the Russian victims and encountered them by chance. Police said the suspects were not dressed as officers at the time, but had used documents or some form of identification to claim they were police. The victims' motorcycle was allegedly dismantled for sale, then its parts were buried after news of the investigation emerged. Missing family linked to investigation Police later took Pong and Thong to a coconut grove in Moo 10, Huay Yai, around two kilometres from the first scene, where they pointed out another grave. The bodies of the missing Thai family of three were recovered there. According to the investigation, suspects allegedly posed as police to search the family's home, restrained the parents with handcuffs and took them away. Their daughter returned from a convenience store during the incident and was also taken, police said. Investigators said Pong allegedly shot the mother, Ball the father and Fluke the daughter before the three bodies were buried together. The alleged motive was robbery. The sister of one of the Thai victims said relatives repeatedly sought help tracing active mobile numbers, but were told that phone-location checks require legal authority and cannot be arranged privately. She said the family had searched for more than a month, continuing to call her sister, niece and brother-in-law and taking food to dogs at the home. She said they may never have learned what happened without the Russian victims investigation. Police are examining whether the suspects, one had reportedly been released from prison about two months earlier, could be connected with other cases. 1 August 2026
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