Local law enforcement officials in Thailand have acknowledged mistakes in informing the relatives of the three victims, having uncovered important links to other investigations.

Chonburi Provincial Police have apologised to the families of three Thai nationals who were murdered for failing to provide timely updates on the progress of the investigation. Law enforcement officials assured the families that work on the case had continued uninterrupted and that they remain determined to bring those responsible to justice. The apology was offered on Sunday after the well-known social activist Kantuch Pongpibunwet, also known as Gan Jompalang, accompanied the relatives of the victims to a meeting with senior provincial police officers.

The families reported that they had received insufficient information since reporting their father, mother and daughter missing on 27 June. They later learnt that their loved ones had been murdered and their bodies buried in an attempt to conceal the crime. The case has once again attracted widespread attention following the disappearance and murder of two Russian nationals in Chonburi, which has enabled investigators to establish links with a number of other missing persons cases.

Last week, the police arrested Thana Kertthong (43) and Thongchai Srinila (39), both of whom had previous convictions, in Sa Kaeo Province. In addition, two further suspects were detained: Chatchanan Peng-Aiam and Atsadang Chuwong. They face charges including premeditated murder, concealing bodies, rape, robbery, and the unlawful possession of firearms and explosives.

The Chief of Huai Yai District Police, Police Colonel Worawut Nitiwan, acknowledged shortcomings in communication with the victims’ families and apologised, promising to improve the system for keeping families informed in future investigations into missing persons cases. He explained that investigators had continued to work actively on the case, but that some information had been withheld so as not to jeopardise the investigation.

Officers had searched the family’s home on several occasions following reports of the disappearances and had explored various theories, including those relating to loans, although these were merely investigative hypotheses. A breakthrough in the case came precisely during the investigation into the disappearance of the Russian citizens, when detectives discovered links between the cases via certain individuals and the vehicles used, which enabled them to identify and arrest the suspects.

The police also categorically rejected claims that the main suspect was an informant or was under the protection of the law enforcement agencies, stating that there was no evidence to support such claims. A commitment was made to take legal action against any public official if it is established that they assisted the suspects in committing these serious crimes.

Read More Articles Here

Read More Articles Here