Chon Buri Police Apologize to Families for Lacking Case Updates

Police in Chon Buri have apologized to the families of three Thai murder victims for failing to provide regular updates on the investigation, while insisting officers continued working on the case and remain committed to bringing those responsible to justice. The apology came on Sunday after social activist Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, better known as "Gun Jompalang", accompanied the victims' relatives to meet senior provincial police officers. The families said they received little information after reporting on June 27 that a father, mother and daughter had gone missing, only to later learn they had been murdered and their bodies buried to conceal the crime. The case drew renewed attention after the disappearance and murder of two Russian siblings in Chon Buri led investigators to links with several missing persons cases. Police last week arrested ex-convicts Thana Kerdthong, 43, and Thongchai Srinil, 39, in Sa Kaeo. Two other suspects, Chatchanan Paen-aiam and Atsadang Chuwong, were also arrested. The suspects face charges including premeditated murder, concealing bodies, rape, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Huai Yai police chief Pol Col Worawut Nitiyawan acknowledged shortcomings in communication with the victims' families and apologised, promising better updates in future missing persons investigations. He said investigators had continued working on the case but withheld some information to avoid compromising the investigation. Officers repeatedly searched the family's home after the disappearances were reported and examined several leads, including loan-related documents, though these were only investigative possibilities. The breakthrough came during the investigation into the missing Russian siblings, when detectives found links between the cases through individuals and vehicles, leading to the identification and arrest of suspects. Police also rejected allegations the main suspect had been a police informant or received protection from officers, saying there was no evidence to support the claims. They pledged legal action against any state official found to have assisted the suspects.