Pattaya prosecutors indict duo in Russian siblings’ deaths

PATTAYA - Pattaya prosecutors have indicted ex-convict Thana Kerdthong and his alleged accomplice on nine charges including murder in the deaths of two Russian siblings whose bodies were found buried in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri in late July.

The Pattaya Provincial Court on Wednesday accepted the case for trial. Thana, 43, also known as Pong, and Thongchai “Thong” Srinil have been in custody since their arrest on Aug 1.

The indictment stems from the deaths of Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, who disappeared after leaving their home in Huai Yai on a motorcycle around 4am on July 26.

Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimov, 17, disappeared from their home in Pattaya on July 26 and were found dead five days later. (Photo: TV Screen Capture)

Their mother reported them missing to Huai Yai police after the siblings failed to return home.

Police later found the motorcycle dismantled and buried. Investigators subsequently obtained arrest warrants for Thana and Thongchai, who were arrested in Sa Kaeo province on July 31.

The investigation led police to the bodies of the two siblings, which had been buried near the suspect’s relatives’ houses in Huai Yai.

The case took an even more shocking turn when it was linked to the discovery of a missing Thai family of three, whose bodies were found buried near the location where the two young Russians were discovered.

Police later alleged that two additional suspects — Chatchanan “Fluke” Paen-iam and Atsadang “Ball” Chuwong — were involved in the killing of the family. They are in custody while a separate investigation continues.

As the case of the Russian siblings unfolded, the two suspects gave conflicting accounts, with their statements differing on key details.

Thongchai told police that Thana was responsible for killing the brother and sister and later forced him to help bury their bodies, threatening to harm his family if he refused.

Thana, meanwhile, admitted to assaulting the siblings but said the attack was carried out solely to steal their motorcycle, and denied that any sexual assault had taken place.

Officers take main suspect Thana “Pong” Kerdthong into custody on Aug 1. (Photo: Amporn Saengkaew)

After investigators at the Huai Yai police station compiled the evidence and submitted the case file to prosecutors, the Pattaya Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday filed an indictment against Thana and his accomplice with the Pattaya Provincial Court on the following charges:

• possessing firearms and ammunition without permission
• carrying firearms in public without reasonable grounds and without permission
• possessing unlicensed ammunition and possessing military equipment without permission
• carrying a weapon (grenade) in public
• impersonating a public official
• detaining, confining or otherwise depriving another person of their physical liberty
• committing robbery at night by falsely claiming to be a public official and impersonating a police officer; using a firearm in the commission of an offence, resulting in the death of another person, including committing premeditated murder
• committing rape through the use of force, use of a firearm resulting in the victim’s death, and acting with cruel brutality
• concealing, moving or destroying a corpse in order to conceal the death.