Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologised to Russian visitors and ordered authorities to strengthen security measures after inspecting locations in Chonburi linked to the deaths of two Russian siblings and three members of a Thai family.
Anutin travelled to the province on Saturday with national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet to review the investigation into the five deaths and receive updates from officers handling the cases.
At about 2pm on August 1, the prime minister visited an area near a motorway where the bodies of the Russian siblings had been buried. He later inspected another nearby site where a Thai father, mother and daughter were allegedly killed and concealed in a single grave.
The remains of the three Thai victims had been recovered the previous night. Anutin appeared visibly distressed while examining both locations and listening to briefings from investigators.
Killings Harm Thailand’s Tourism Image
The prime minister acknowledged that the killings had damaged Thailand’s international reputation and could undermine confidence in Chonburi and Pattaya, two of the country’s best-known tourism destinations.
“We must restore confidence as much as possible,” he said.
“If this is allowed to continue, it would involve offenders repeatedly committing crimes. They did not act only against foreign nationals but also against three Thai people.”
Anutin said the case had affected the image of the entire country, stressing that the victims included both foreign visitors and Thai citizens.
“They did not only kill two foreign nationals,” he said. “They also damaged the reputation of Thai people across the country.”
He said the government must reassure international travellers and local communities that authorities would take firm action to prevent similar crimes.
Relevant agencies were instructed to intensify patrols and inspections, particularly in isolated areas where serious offences could be committed or evidence concealed.
Anutin offered an apology to foreign visitors, particularly Russian nationals, and expressed his condolences over the deaths of the two siblings.
“We must give foreigners the greatest possible confidence,” he said.
“I apologise to the Russian people and offer my condolences, especially when they have encouraged people from their country to visit ours.”
The prime minister emphasised that the killings were allegedly committed by individuals and should not be interpreted as evidence that Thailand was generally unsafe.
“This was an outrageous incident, but it does not mean that our country is unsafe,” he said. “It was the act of bad individuals.”
He called on police and other agencies to act quickly to rebuild confidence in public safety and protect Thailand’s reputation as a major tourism destination.
Police Investigate Robbery and Silencing Motive
Anutin described the killings as exceptionally brutal and said investigators were examining whether the victims had been murdered not only during robberies but also to prevent them from identifying those responsible.
He suggested the offenders may have been familiar with the area, given the secluded locations allegedly selected for the killings and the concealment of the bodies.
The comments represented the prime minister’s assessment of the available information, while the exact circumstances and criminal responsibility remain subject to the police investigation, prosecution and court proceedings.
The two principal suspects had reportedly been released from prison before the latest alleged offences. Anutin instructed police to investigate the cases thoroughly and ensure that everyone involved was brought before the courts.
Reports surrounding the deaths of the Thai family suggested that as many as four people may have taken part, while two suspects had been detained as part of the wider investigation.
Authorities are also working to determine whether the deaths of the Russian siblings and the Thai family were connected to the same group of alleged offenders.
Death Penalty Remains Court’s Decision
Responding to public calls for the suspects to face capital punishment, Anutin said the death penalty remained available under Thai law but could only be imposed by the courts.
“The matter depends on the court’s judgement,” he said.
“If the court orders the death penalty in a serious and repeated case of this nature, the government, which oversees the Department of Corrections and the Royal Thai Police, must ensure that the legal process is carried out.”
He said people convicted of exceptionally serious offences should not be allowed to become examples that could encourage others to commit similar crimes.
Anutin also used strongly worded language to describe such offenders, saying they should not be permitted to remain a burden on Thai society.
However, he stressed that any punishment must follow the full judicial process, including investigation, prosecution, trial and final court rulings.
The prime minister said existing legislation already provided sufficient penalties for serious crimes and that he saw no immediate need to amend the law.
He also addressed concerns over sentence reductions and parole, which fall partly under the administrative responsibility of the Department of Corrections and the Justice Ministry.
Anutin pledged that decisions involving reduced sentences or early release would be considered carefully for as long as he remained prime minister.
He said the government would seek to ensure that the public was not disappointed by the treatment of offenders convicted of particularly grave crimes.
Police are continuing to investigate the five deaths, the alleged role of each suspect and any connection between the two cases.
