Russian Siblings Murder Case: Two Suspects Arrested in Thailand, Confess to Killings

PATTAYA, Thailand – The search for two missing Russian siblings has taken a shocking turn after police arrested two suspects who allegedly confessed to killing the pair and revealed details of an investigation that has gripped Thailand and attracted international attention. Police from Provincial Police Region 2, working together with investigators from Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and military personnel, captured Thana or “Pong”, 43, and Thongchai or “Thong”, 39, in a longan orchard in Wang Sombun district, Sa Kaeo province, near the Chanthaburi border. The two men were wanted under arrest warrants issued by Pattaya Provincial Court following the disappearance of Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimova, 17, two Russian siblings who vanished after losing contact on July 26. Their arrest came after days of intensive searches across Chonburi, with police, tourist police, immigration officers, local authorities and rescue teams working to locate the missing pair and gather evidence. Investigators had earlier discovered the siblings’ Honda ADV 150 motorcycle dismantled and buried near an old cemetery area in Thung Luang, Huai Yai, Banglamung district. The discovery became a key breakthrough that led police to focus on the two suspects. Following their capture, police said the suspects admitted during questioning that they were involved in the deaths of the Russian siblings. According to investigators, Pong allegedly claimed that he shot the younger brother, Roman, while the older sister, Diana, was allegedly killed after an assault during the incident. Police said the suspect claimed the motive was to steal the motorcycle. The suspect allegedly denied any sexual assault took place and challenged police to examine evidence to verify his statement. Investigators are continuing to compare the confession with forensic evidence and other information gathered during the investigation. Police said the suspects allegedly told investigators that after the incident, the victims’ bodies were moved and buried in a forest area near Khao Chi Chan, in the area connecting Sattahip district and Huai Yai, Banglamung. The motorcycle was allegedly taken apart and buried separately at the old cemetery area in Thung Luang, where it was later discovered by authorities. Before their arrest, police said the two suspects attempted to flee through eastern Thailand. Investigators said they allegedly rode a motorcycle while wearing clothing resembling police uniforms and passed through a checkpoint in Soi Dao district, Chanthaburi. During the escape, police said the pair abandoned some items, including a police-style hat, before continuing their attempt to avoid capture. Authorities said the suspects hid in forests and plantations while police launched a coordinated search across several provinces. Investigators eventually tracked them to the longan orchard in Sa Kaeo, where officers moved in and arrested them. Police said the two men were found exhausted, with their clothes covered in mud after spending time hiding outdoors. Investigators believe they had planned to wait until night before attempting to leave Thailand through a natural border route into Cambodia. The arrest followed a rapidly expanding investigation, with officers now working to locate the bodies of the two Russian siblings based on information provided during questioning. Forensic officers, local police, rescue teams and investigators have been deployed to search areas near Khao Chi Chan and other locations linked to the case. Police are also examining whether other people may have been involved and are continuing to gather evidence to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the victims being foreign tourists and the scale of the search operation involving multiple agencies across eastern Thailand. Authorities stressed that the investigation remains ongoing, with forensic results, recovered evidence and further questioning required before the complete picture can be confirmed.