A Russian family held a memorial for two siblings, with their mother kissing their photos in a final farewell. Relatives of three Thai victims joined the mourning and demanded the death penalty for suspects Pong and Thong.
On 6 Aug at Chonburi Province, the mother of Diana and Roman, two Russian siblings killed by Pong and Thong and whose bodies were buried in a forest in Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, held a Buddhist merit-making ceremony with four monks at the site where the siblings’ bodies were found. Narit Niramaiwong, the governor of Chonburi, and Police Major General Pongphan Wongmaneethes, commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police, also attended the memorial.
The mother placed photos of her son and daughter at the site where the bodies were found, inviting locals to lay flowers to mourn with the Russian family. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow. After laying flowers, the mother bowed and kissed the photos of her children with deep grief.
After the flower-laying ceremony, the mother of Diana and Roman immediately returned to her residence, stating she was not available for media interviews.
Russians residing in Thailand who came to pay respects said they were deeply saddened by the incident. They wished the souls of the two siblings to rest in peace and encouraged the mother to stay strong. Having lived in Thailand for three years, they said the event made them more cautious and aware of safety.
When asked if this incident changed Russians’ view of Thailand, they admitted that Russians following the news feel Thailand is dangerous. However, personally living in Thailand, they do not see it as that dangerous. They noted that every country has bad people, including Russia.
Meanwhile, the family of three Thai victims—parents and child—who suffered similarly at the hands of Pong and Thong laid flowers to express condolences. They briefly said they want the perpetrators to receive the death penalty, regardless of nationality. Everyone has family, feelings, and human dignity, and no one should be treated as mere objects for perpetrators to decide life or death.
Relatives of the three victims said their visit to the ceremony was to mourn Diana and Roman and to send support to the victims’ families, understanding the pain of losing loved ones to violent crime. They had previously known the burial site was opposite the area where the Thai family members were found but did not expect to have to go so deep into forest and hillside areas.
Seeing the actual site, the relatives admitted feeling shocked and distressed because the path was deep and far from any community, indicating the perpetrators had to exert considerable effort to bring the victims there. They considered the act excessively violent beyond what the families could accept.
As a family who lost a father, mother, and daughter, the relatives said they still feel pain and anger, especially thinking of their 18-year-old daughter who was not involved in any conflict but died alongside her family.
Regarding rumors that suspect Pong may have police support or assistance, the relatives declined to comment due to lack of direct evidence and said it was the police's responsibility to investigate and identify all involved parties.
However, the relatives urged the justice system to thoroughly consider the suspects’ actions, especially their criminal history and the case's violence, calling for the strictest legal punishment for all involved.
Previously, the relatives visited the Ministry of Justice and met with executives from the Department of Corrections to express concerns about sentence reductions, parole, or pardons for serious offenders. They believe life sentences should truly mean life imprisonment, especially for violent offenders with high risk of reoffending, as early release could endanger others.
The relatives believe that strict law enforcement and appropriate punishment based on the severity of the crime will deter others from committing similar offenses and reassure the public that serious offenders will not be released to cause further harm.
In the afternoon, police reportedly planned to use scanning equipment to systematically search suspicious areas near the site where the five victims’ bodies were found to gather additional evidence.