Two more suspects arrested as police dogs join the hunt for missing Russian siblings Diana Nazimova and Roman Nazimov. Detectives chase two fugitives after their buried, dismantled motorcycle and messages suggesting the pair were being pursued.
Police have arrested two more suspects, deployed sniffer dogs and intensified a massive search for two missing Russian siblings after detectives uncovered their dismantled motorcycle buried in woodland and uncovered evidence suggesting the pair believed they were being pursued before vanishing. As the hunt for two wanted fugitives gathers pace, the rapidly expanding investigation has evolved into one of Thailand’s most complex missing persons cases, with forensic searches, CCTV evidence and multiple arrests now driving the race to discover what happened to Diana Nazimova, 22, and her 17-year-old brother Roman before dawn on July 26.
Two Thai men have been arrested as police tightened the net around suspects linked to the disappearance of two young Russian siblings near Pattaya.
At the same time, specialist search teams, forensic officers and sniffer dogs swept the countryside around Huai Yai and Na Jomtien as the investigation gathered pace.
The arrests came as the search entered its sixth day for Diana Nazimova, 22, and her 17-year-old brother Roman Nazimov. The Russian brother and sister disappeared before dawn on Sunday, July 26, after leaving their family’s home at Bristol Park Pattaya on a black and grey Honda ADV 160 motorcycle. Their mother, Ms Sarna, reported them missing to Huai Yai Police Station after repeated attempts to contact them failed.
Police arrest two Thai men as expanding hunt for missing Russian siblings gathers pace across Pattaya
Pol Lt Col Prabda Suksuntree, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, said officers arrested two Thai men known by the nicknames “Suea Hoi” and “Phang” during coordinated raids on Thursday. Detectives believe both men played supporting roles after the siblings vanished.
Police allege they helped fugitives Thana Kerdthong, 43, and Thongchai Srinil, 39, escape immediate capture. They are also accused of helping conceal the dismantled motorcycle belonging to the missing Russians.
Police intercepted Suea Hoi while he was riding a motorcycle fitted with a sidecar after leaving his mother’s home. Officers then drove him to Phang’s house before arresting the second suspect. Investigators believe the sidecar had earlier been covered with a tarpaulin to hide Thana and Thongchai while they were being moved through the area.
Both men denied any involvement. They also insisted they did not know either fugitive. They remain in custody at Huai Yai Police Station while questioning continues.
Court issues warrants as buried motorcycle transforms police probe into Russian siblings case
Separately, Pattaya Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for Thana and Thongchai. Both men are wanted on charges of jointly committing night-time theft using a vehicle or, alternatively, receiving stolen property.
Police stressed the available evidence currently links them only to the siblings’ stolen motorcycle. Detectives have not announced charges directly connected to the disappearance.
The breakthrough came on Wednesday morning. Officers uncovered the Russian siblings’ motorcycle buried in woodland about 500 metres from the home of one of Thana’s close relatives in Huai Yai. The discovery transformed the investigation.
Investigators found the Honda had been stripped apart. Its major components had been buried separately beneath the ground. The registration plate had also been cut into pieces. Detectives believe the machine was deliberately dismantled to destroy evidence and delay the investigation.
Notably, the discovery followed days of painstaking CCTV analysis. Earlier Thai Examiner reporting established that Diana and Roman left home shortly after 4 am. Cameras initially showed nothing unusual. However, detectives eventually reconstructed their final known movements across Huai Yai using footage from several locations.
CCTV trail and messages deepen mystery surrounding missing Russian brother and sister near Pattaya
The investigation then took a darker turn. CCTV showed the siblings stopping beneath a motorway bridge before another motorcycle pulled in behind them. Both motorcycles remained together briefly.
They then rode away before disappearing from camera coverage. Detectives have consistently described the unidentified rider as a key figure in the investigation.
In response, investigators dramatically expanded the inquiry. Officers began examining evidence well beyond a conventional missing persons investigation. Additional CCTV, mobile phone data and witness statements were gathered as detectives sought to identify everyone involved.
Further evidence emerged after investigators recovered messages sent shortly before contact with the siblings was lost. As previously reported by Thai Examiner, those communications suggested Diana and Roman believed they were being followed during the early hours of Sunday morning. Detectives have not disclosed the full contents of the messages. However, they confirmed the evidence became a significant part of the investigation.
Police focus turns to wanted fugitives as relatives and CCTV reveal fresh movements after disappearance
Attention soon focused on Thana and Thongchai. Thana had been released from prison less than two months before the siblings disappeared. His criminal history immediately attracted investigators’ attention after fresh evidence emerged.
His 74-year-old aunt later revealed he visited relatives on Monday. She said he suddenly left after receiving a telephone call. She has since appealed publicly for him to surrender.
On another front, detectives continued tracing the fugitives through CCTV footage. Police believe cameras captured Thana and Thongchai riding a motorcycle along Highway 1008 on July 26. Investigators said the pair had apparently visited the home of Thongchai’s sister. Officers believe they showered and changed clothes there before returning towards Huai Yai.
Thai Examiner previously reported that detectives later identified a network of associates believed to have assisted the two fugitives. That inquiry eventually led police to Suea Hoi and Phang. Investigators now believe the pair helped move the wanted men through the area after the siblings disappeared.
Sniffer dogs join expanding search as police scour remote sites for evidence linked to missing Russian pair
Meanwhile, Provincial Police Region 2 investigative commander Pol Maj Gen Kiatisak Sathong-oi personally led Thursday’s search operation.
Police officers, district officials and specialist teams searched locations around Khao Chi Chan, Huai Yai and Na Jomtien. Detectives selected the sites after reconstructing suspected movements and identifying possible evidence disposal points.
As part of this operation, handlers gave two trained sniffer dogs clothing belonging to Diana and Roman. The animals searched ponds, dense undergrowth and an abandoned building near Na Jomtien. Officers also investigated reports suggesting the siblings may have travelled towards Chanthaburi. Those enquiries found no evidence they had left Chon Buri province.
Withheld evidence in Russian siblings case suggests the pair was being pursued early on Sunday morning
Police search for Russian siblings who disappeared after Sunday morning motorbike ride in Pattaya
Throughout the investigation, forensic teams have continued collecting physical evidence while detectives analyse CCTV footage and interview witnesses. Each development has widened the inquiry.
Police are now pursuing multiple suspects, several active lines of investigation and extensive forensic examinations. The search for Diana Nazimova and Roman Nazimov continues while officers race to locate Thana Kerdthong and Thongchai Srinil, whose arrests are considered central to establishing what happened before dawn on July 26.
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