PATTAYA, THAILAND – Five dead in two connected cases. Thana ‘Pong’ Kerdthong, 43, allegedly murdered a Thai family of three and then two Russian siblings.
On July 26, 2026, Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimova, 17, left their home in Huai Yai on a motorcycle. They never returned. The bike was later found dismantled and buried.
Two families, five victims
Police arrested Thana ‘Pong’ Kerdthong and Thongchai ‘Thong’ Srinil, 39, on July 31 in Wang Sombun district, Sakaeo province, about 190 kilometres away. Pong confessed to shooting Roman. Diana died from blows. The motive: the motorcycle.
During questioning, Pong led officers to a second grave on a coconut plantation in Huai Yai. There lay Wichian Wongsa, 53, his wife Chantana Chatin, 50, and their daughter Nichapa, 18 – murdered in late June. Motive: robbery of the family’s pickup truck.
Four suspects now sit in pre-trial detention – Pong, Thong, Chatchanan ‘Fluke’ and Atsadang ‘Ball’. All denied bail.
Cremation ceremony draws hundreds
On August 8, the deputy governor of Chonburi held the funeral at Wat Khao Bunmee Dararam in Bang Lamung. For Wichian, Chantana and Nichapa, three separate cremations took place – to keep the ashes from mixing. Hundreds of villagers, officials and police attended.
The ceremony came just days after the arrests. Relatives wept as the three coffins were consigned to flames.
Relatives demand death penalty
I cannot accept the death of my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. I cannot sleep or eat. I want to see Pong hanged.
said Pranee Chatin, 68, mother of the murdered Chantana.
We want the same – the death penalty. Nothing less.
said Prisna Blundell, 45, Chantana’s younger sister, and Somnuek Chatin, 55, the uncle.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul travelled to Chonburi especially. In front of cameras, he demanded the harshest punishment – adding that the court would decide.
Killer released just weeks before
Pong walked free in June 2026 – after serving seven years for armed robbery. Barely eight weeks later, five people lay dead. Justice Minister Ruttaphol Naowarat ordered a review of around 5,000 individuals who should be under JSOC surveillance – a 2022 law for violent offenders at risk of reoffending.
With an electronic ankle bracelet, Pong could not have left the house at 4 a.m.
said a former ministry official.