PM Anutin Vows Tough Justice in Chonburi Five-Murder Case

CHONBURI — Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited two sites in Bang Lamung district on Saturday where the bodies of five murder victims, including two Russian siblings, were discovered.

Anutin arrived at about 13:00 with national police chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet and Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong to review the investigation into the killings, which have raised concerns over public and tourist safety.

The delegation travelled by helicopter to the Viharn Sien helipad before visiting a forested area in Huai Yai subdistrict where the bodies of the two Russian victims were found buried. Police and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation briefed the prime minister on the discovery and the investigation.

The delegation then travelled about two kilometres to a coconut plantation where the bodies of three Thai family members—a father, mother, and child—had been buried.

Anutin said the government would not support sentence reductions for those convicted of particularly serious crimes that damage public confidence and Thailand's reputation among tourists. He instructed authorities to strengthen security measures and increase patrols to prevent similar crimes.

The prime minister expressed condolences to the victims' families and apologised to Russian tourists and the Russian public. He stressed that the killings were allegedly committed by a specific criminal group and should not be viewed as evidence that Thailand as a whole was unsafe.

Anutin said the government and the Royal Thai Police would pursue everyone allegedly involved and ensure that the cases were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Addressing reports that some suspects had previously served prison sentences before allegedly reoffending, Anutin said law enforcement measures may need to be reviewed.

He instructed investigators to prepare thorough and complete case files so that prosecutors and the courts would have sufficient evidence when considering charges and sentences. Asked about calls for the suspects to face capital punishment, Anutin noted that the death penalty remains available under Thai law but said sentencing was a matter for the courts.

The government's responsibility, he said, was to pursue the cases fully through the justice system and ensure that those responsible received appropriate punishment.

After visiting the two burial sites, Anutin travelled to Huai Yai Police Station for a briefing on the investigation and the arrests made in connection with the five deaths. Four suspects, including Thana "Pong" Koetthong and Thongchai "Thong" Srinil, were taken to court for detention on Saturday. Police have been instructed to expand the investigation and take decisive legal action against everyone found to have been involved.