BANGKOK, THAILAND – Family of murdered Russian siblings invites public to funeral as police prepare ground scan due to suspect discrepancies.
The funeral for Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimova, 17, takes place Thursday, 6 August 2026, at 10am in the Huai Yai forest where their bodies were found. The family requests white carnations, white lilies and white roses. Mother Sarina Nazimova will personally thank those who helped search. The ceremony also remembers the Thai family of three killed by the same perpetrators.
Family holds public funeral at forest site
Sarina Nazimova and the family have invited the public to join the memorial at the exact spot in the forest where the siblings’ bodies were discovered. The invitation says being there alone is a great encouragement for the family.
Just being there is a great encouragement for the family.
said the family invitation.
The mother plans to speak to volunteers and supporters. A local Thai family who died at the hands of the same killers will also be honoured.
Police use ground scanners for fresh search
On the same day as the funeral, investigators will deploy ground scanners across the site. The reason: main suspect Thana Kerdthong (alias Pong) and co-accused Thongchai Srinil (alias Thong) gave two different locations within the area as relevant during questioning. Conventional search methods couldn’t resolve the discrepancy.
Volunteers from a Buddhist foundation cleared the undergrowth on Wednesday to prepare for the scanners. Workers found clothing, water bottles and food boxes in the bushes. Their origin is still unknown.
Key witness reveals he almost killed himself
Khaosod published the first long interview with a key witness on Wednesday. Neng, 43, a motorcycle mechanic from the neighbourhood, had employed Thong as a casual worker and let Pong stay for free after his release from prison in early June.
Neng saw Thong dismantling the siblings’ motorcycle near the old Thung Luang cemetery. Pong told him the bike was seized because of a debt of 60,000 Baht. Only when Russian volunteers put up missing-person posters showing the bike did Neng recognise it – and called police immediately.
I raised a cobra and brought it into the house.
said Neng, 43, motorcycle mechanic.
Pong and Thong also stole Neng’s own motorcycle – a red Honda Scoopy – used in the crime and for the getaway. The pressure of the investigation became unbearable: Neng said he put a pistol to his temple one evening. An incoming phone call and a police patrol car outside made him put the gun down.
Justice ministry admits suspect served full term
Thana Kerdthong served 7 years, 7 months and 25 days for attempted murder, weapons possession and drug offences – not a single day commuted. The Justice Ministry confirmed that under the JSOC law, he was subject to two years of probation with a reporting obligation every three months. The court did not order an electronic ankle bracelet.
After his release on 5 June 2026, Thana reported to the probation office exactly once. Then the siblings were killed. The national police chief has ordered an internal investigation into whether Thana had been used as a police informant and whether that affected his police file.
Four suspects in custody
Four men are in pre-trial detention: Thana Kerdthong (alias Pong, 43), Thongchai Srinil (alias Thong, 39), Atthaphang (alias Ball) and Chainan (alias Fluke). The Pattaya court rejected bail applications for all four. The indictment currently covers five victims – the two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three killed weeks earlier on a coconut palm plantation. Investigators are checking, based on Fluke’s statements, whether there are more victims.