Five bodies, an alleged reign of terror and fears of more victims. Bail refused for Pattaya murder suspect “Pong” as police probe claims the accused drug dealer led a brutal killing spree that exposes the city’s dark underworld of drugs, vice and violence.
The discovery of five bodies buried in neighbouring graves outside Pattaya has exposed what investigators believe was the reign of terror of 43-year-old Thana Kerdthong, or “Pong”, a convicted violent offender who police say stood at the centre of a brutal chain of killings stretching from Pattaya’s seedy underworld of drugs and vice into the surrounding countryside. As Pattaya Provincial Court refused bail to Thana and co-accused Thongchai Srinil, or “Thong”, detectives widened an investigation linking the murders of Russian siblings Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimov, 17, to the earlier execution of a Thai family, while also examining claims of additional victims, allegations from a former girlfriend who says he threatened to bury her alive, the role of a protected witness and growing scrutiny over how Thana returned to the streets only weeks before the killings.
On Saturday, Pattaya Provincial Court denied bail to two men accused in a terrifying multiple murder case linked to Pattaya’s seedy underworld of drugs and vice. The ruling followed the discovery of five bodies buried in neighbouring graves beneath coconut trees in a secluded forest outside the resort city. Judges cited the gravity of the alleged crimes, the severe penalties involved and the clear risk that both suspects could flee.
The court refused temporary release for 43-year-old Thana Kerdthong, known as “Pong”, and 39-year-old Thongchai Srinil, known as “Thong”. Police from Huai Yai Police Station escorted both men into court for their first detention hearing.
Prosecutors opposed bail from the outset. In response, the court ordered both suspects remanded in custody. Department of Corrections officers later transferred them to Pattaya Remand Prison.
Five bodies found as missing Russian siblings case turns into sprawling multiple murder inquiry
The decision marked another dramatic development in an investigation that has rapidly widened. Initially, detectives were searching only for two missing Russian siblings.
However, the inquiry soon uncovered two neighbouring graves. As a result, police found not two victims but five. Consequently, one missing persons investigation became a sprawling multiple murder case stretching across weeks of violence.
The dead included Russian siblings Miss Diana Nazimova, 22, and Mr Roman Nazimov, 17. They left home on a Honda ADV motorcycle at about 4 am on July 26. They never returned. Shortly afterwards, relatives reported them missing. Detectives launched an urgent search before evidence pointed towards homicide.
Police later recovered the siblings’ bodies near Khao Chi Chan in Chonburi province. Investigators believe the pair stopped beside a roadside shortly before the attack. According to police, the suspects intended to steal the motorcycle. Instead, officers allege the robbery escalated into murder before the bodies were secretly buried.
Discovery of second grave reveals Thai family vanished weeks earlier after reporting Thana to police
Notably, investigators made an even darker discovery nearby. A second grave contained a Thai father, mother and their 18-year-old daughter. Police believe the family disappeared weeks before the Russian siblings. Detectives also believe they had previously reported Thana to police.
According to investigators, the family was abducted before being driven to the isolated woodland. Police believe the victims were forced to witness their own graves being prepared. Afterwards, investigators allege all three were murdered and buried close together beneath the coconut trees. The discovery immediately transformed the scale of the investigation.
Attention has therefore shifted to the earlier disappearance of the Thai family. Detectives are now examining every stage of that case. One central question remains unanswered. Why did the family’s disappearance fail to trigger a larger criminal investigation? Investigators are reconstructing that timeline in detail.
That question has become increasingly significant. Had the earlier case advanced differently, detectives may have encountered the suspects sooner. Instead, police now face two connected murder investigations discovered during the same recovery operation.
Confessions as prosecutors outline murder, robbery, police impersonation and firearms charges
According to investigators, both Thana and Thong later confessed to killing the Thai family. Those admissions dramatically widened the inquiry. In parallel, detectives began examining whether the same gang committed additional murders. Officers have not ruled out further victims.
The charges already facing both suspects are extensive. In the Russian case, prosecutors accuse them of jointly committing premeditated murder to obtain or retain benefits arising from another offence.
They also allege the killings concealed another crime. Furthermore, prosecutors accuse the pair of robbery committed at night while impersonating police officers. Both men also face firearms and ammunition charges.
Police arrested the suspects under court warrants after locating them in Sa Kaeo province. During Saturday’s hearing, investigators strongly opposed temporary release. The court accepted those arguments. Judges concluded the offences carried severe penalties and that both suspects presented a substantial flight risk.
Former girlfriend alleges Thana threatened her repeatedly and boasted about killing and burying people
On another front, disturbing allegations have surfaced from a woman claiming to be Thana’s former girlfriend. Although separate from the murder prosecution, her account has attracted intense public attention. Detectives are now reviewing the information alongside other evidence gathered during the investigation.
The allegations were published by the Facebook page Sor Pao – Rueang Nee Tong Sai Jai. The page also shared messages said to have been exchanged with the woman. In addition, it published documents indicating she had previously filed a police report.
According to the woman, she dated Thana and lived closely with him. During that relationship, she alleged he repeatedly assaulted, threatened and controlled her. As a result, she said she constantly feared for her life.
She also claimed Thana developed a fascination with extreme violence. According to her account, he regularly forced her to watch videos depicting murder cases and simulated attacks. She alleged those incidents formed part of a continuing pattern of intimidation.
More seriously, the woman claimed Thana spoke openly about killing and burying other people. She alleged those conversations referred to incidents unrelated to the five confirmed murders. Detectives have not publicly verified those claims. Nevertheless, investigators are assessing whether any information can assist the wider inquiry.
Woman claims suspect forced her into grave and threatened to bury her alive like previous victims
Her most disturbing allegation centred on a freshly dug grave. According to the woman, Thana ordered her into the hole before threatening to bury her alive. She alleged he warned she would be buried “like the others.”
The woman said she cried and repeatedly pleaded for her life. Eventually, she claimed, he allowed her to climb out of the grave. Police have not confirmed that allegation. Nevertheless, officers continue interviewing former associates and witnesses connected to both suspects.
As part of that work, detectives are comparing witness accounts with forensic evidence recovered from both burial sites. At the same time, investigators continue reconstructing the movements of the suspects before the killings. That process remains central as prosecutors prepare an increasingly complex murder case.
Separately, investigators have intensified efforts to determine whether the gang’s activities extended beyond the five confirmed victims. That inquiry gained momentum after information emerged from one of the arrested suspects. As a result, police have placed him under witness protection while questioning continues.
Witness protection follows claims gang may have murdered more people beyond five confirmed victims
According to an informed source, 23-year-old Chatchanan Paen-iam, known as “Fluke”, is being held in isolation at Najomtien Police Station in Sattahip district. The source said the arrangement was introduced for his own safety. Investigators believe his evidence could prove important as the inquiry widens.
Notably, Chatchanan reportedly told detectives the gang may have killed other people. According to the source, he believes there could be additional victims beyond the Russian siblings and the Thai family. That information has become one of the investigation’s highest priorities.
In response, Chonburi’s chief detective, Pol Col Pasakorn Paijit, questioned Chatchanan for more than three hours. Further interviews are planned. Detectives are seeking details about the five murders, possible accomplices and any additional victims. They are also examining alleged loan sharking and debt collection activities that may have contributed to the killing of the Thai family.
Chatchanan is one of four people arrested during the investigation. The others are Thana, Thongchai and 25-year-old Atsadang Chuwong. Police have not ruled out further arrests as the inquiry develops.
Corrections supervision before Thana’s release now scrutinised after discovery of five murder victims
Meanwhile, fresh attention has focused on Thana’s criminal history. The Department of Corrections confirmed he previously served seven years, seven months and 25 days in prison. His convictions included attempted murder together with firearms and drug offences. He was released from Rayong Prison on June 5.
Before that release, a committee involving corrections, probation, administrative and health officials assessed the risks surrounding his return to society. Subsequently, Rayong Provincial Court approved a package of post-release supervision measures. The conditions were to remain in force for two years.
Those measures prohibited involvement in suspicious activities. They also required quarterly reporting to probation officers. In addition, Thana was ordered to attend a rehabilitation programme supervised by probation officials. Those arrangements are now receiving renewed scrutiny following the discovery of the five bodies.
Attention has also turned to statements attributed to Thong during police questioning. According to investigators, he described the moments before the Russian siblings were attacked. His account has become an important part of the prosecution case.
Thong says Thana posed as police before attack that ended with Russian siblings buried near Khao Chi Chan
Thong reportedly told police the siblings had stopped beside the road. He then saw Thana approach them wearing what appeared to be a police uniform. According to his statement, he immediately realised something was wrong. He claimed he warned Thana, “Don’t do this,” because he was holding a gun.
Thong also told investigators, “I didn’t know if he was going to shoot me or the two siblings.” He added, “I was scared because both my sister and his family had threatened to kill me.”
According to police, the suspects initially intended to steal the motorcycle. However, investigators believe the plan quickly escalated into murder after the victims resisted. Detectives allege Roman Nazimov was shot dead. They further allege Diana Nazimova was fatally assaulted before both bodies were buried near Khao Chi Chan.
Earlier in the investigation, officers believed they were dealing only with the disappearance of the Russian brother and sister. Soon afterwards, intelligence suggested three more bodies could be buried nearby. Detectives immediately expanded the search area.
That information proved accurate. Police recovered the remains of the Thai family during the same operation. Consequently, two apparently separate investigations merged into one major murder inquiry. Detectives have continued gathering forensic evidence from both burial sites ever since.
Detectives pursuing an expanding inquiry examine more victims and possible further arrests
At the same time, investigators are examining every known movement of the suspects before and after the killings. Officers are also comparing witness statements with forensic findings, telephone records and other evidence gathered during the inquiry. That work remains ongoing.
The case has generated intense national attention. It has also focused renewed scrutiny on Pattaya’s criminal underworld and the violence investigators believe operated beneath it. Equally, questions continue over the earlier disappearance of the Thai family and whether stronger intervention might have altered later events.
For prosecutors, the immediate priority remains assembling the strongest possible case. Detectives continue interviewing witnesses and suspects almost daily. In parallel, forensic specialists are analysing evidence recovered from the woodland graves. Investigators are also assessing fresh information supplied by those already in custody.
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Police have not ruled out additional charges. Likewise, they have not ruled out further arrests. More importantly, detectives continue investigating claims that the gang may have been responsible for other killings.
For now, both principal suspects remain behind bars after Saturday’s bail ruling. The investigation continues to expand. With witness interviews, forensic examinations and fresh intelligence still emerging, police are preparing what is becoming one of Thailand’s most harrowing murder prosecutions, pointing to an evil criminal underground beneath Pattaya’s international playground built on vice.
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