Police have arrested two Thai men accused of assisting suspects linked to the disappearance of two Russian siblings in Pattaya, as search teams intensified efforts to locate the pair using sniffer dogs.
Pol Lt Col Prabda Suksuntree, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, said officers raided the homes of two men known as “Suea Hoi” and “Phang” on Thursday as part of the widening investigation.
The two are suspected of helping former prisoner Thana Kerdthong, 43, and Thongchai Srinil, 39, avoid police by concealing them inside a motorcycle sidecar covered with a tarpaulin. Investigators also believe they may have assisted in burying parts of a motorcycle belonging to the missing siblings.
Police intercepted Suea Hoi as he rode away from his mother’s home on a motorcycle fitted with a sidecar. Officers later took him to Phang’s residence, where the second suspect was detained.
Both men denied being involved and told investigators they did not know Thana or Thongchai. They were taken to Huai Yai Police Station for further questioning.
Meanwhile, Pattaya Provincial Court has issued arrest warrants for Thana and Thongchai on charges of jointly committing nighttime theft using a vehicle, or alternatively receiving stolen property. Police said the evidence gathered so far directly connects the pair only to the siblings’ stolen motorcycle.
The investigation entered its fifth day on Thursday after Diana Nazimova, 22, and her 17-year-old brother Roman Nazimov disappeared early Sunday morning along with their black-and-grey Honda motorcycle.
The siblings were reportedly last seen leaving their home at the Bristol Park Pattaya housing estate in Huai Yai subdistrict.
A major breakthrough came on Wednesday morning when police discovered the missing motorcycle dismantled and buried about 500 metres from the home of one of Thana’s close relatives in Huai Yai.
Pol Maj Gen Kiatisak Sathong-oi, investigative commander of Provincial Police Region 2, later led officers, district officials and two sniffer dogs in an extensive search around Khao Chi Chan.
Search teams focused on several locations in Na Jomtien subdistrict in Sattahip district and Huai Yai in Bang Lamung district after investigators reconstructed the suspects’ possible movements and identified areas where further evidence could have been concealed.
The sniffer dogs were given clothing belonging to Diana and Roman before officers searched around ponds and an abandoned building near Na Jomtien. Police also investigated reports that the siblings might have travelled to Chanthaburi, but said there was no evidence indicating they had left Chon Buri province.
Investigators said CCTV footage captured Thana and Thongchai travelling by motorcycle along Highway 1008 on July 26 after apparently leaving the home of Thongchai’s sister. Police believe the men had showered and changed clothes there before heading back towards Huai Yai.
Thana’s 74-year-old aunt has urged him to surrender to authorities. She said he had been released from prison less than two months ago and had last visited her on Monday, before suddenly leaving after receiving a phone call.
Police are continuing their search for the missing siblings while efforts remain underway to locate Thana and Thongchai.
