Thai police hunt suspect as motorbike belonging to missing Russian siblings is found buried

Police are hunting a recently released inmate over the disappearance of two Russian siblings, with officers finding their motorcycle buried near their home.

Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother Roman Nazimova, 17, rode out of the Bristol Park housing estate in Pattaya, Thailand, to go to a shop in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 26.

They were last seen being followed by a motorist along a frontage road on the Map Ta Phut-Na Jomtien motorway before mysteriously vanishing.

Their mother, Zarina Nazimova, 40, reported them missing when they did not return home later that morning.

Police said more than 200 people, including cops, rescue workers, and volunteers, have joined the search for the youngsters as their dismantled motorbike was found buried in an old cemetery on Wednesday.

The freshly dug pit, nestled in a forested area some 200 metres from the motorway, is located near the home of Thana Kerdthong, 43, who was allegedly seen on CCTV speaking to the siblings before their disappearance.

Police Colonel Warawut Nittayawan, superintendent of Huai Yai Police Station, said Thana is the main suspect. He is believed to have dismantled the vehicle and buried the parts separately.

He said: 'Our initial investigation indicates the perpetrators dug two holes and dismantled the motorcycle into parts.

'At the first location, officers recovered the shock absorbers, front and rear wheels, engine, and body fairings. About 100 metres away, we found the frame, seat, handlebars, and the remaining bodywork. Forensic officers from Chonburi Police Division 2 have completed a detailed examination of both scenes and collected evidence for further investigation.'

Village council president, Jakkrit Boonmak, 56, said he and the village chief tracked the suspects' movements using CCTV footage, which led them to the site.

He said they received a report that several men had been digging a hole in the area on Tuesday evening.

Fearing the group was armed, Jakkrit then alerted the village chief and police. However, the suspects had already fled when they arrived.

A resident said she heard gunfire and a man shouting near the suspect's home on the night of July 26.

She said: 'At the time, I thought it was just some kids firing guns for fun. But after learning about the missing Russians, I was worried that the gunfire could be linked to the case.'

Village officer Niphon Chatsri said Thana had been released from prison in June. Neighbours reportedly feared him because he was known to carry firearms around.

On July 28, police raided Thana's home, where he lived with another suspect named Thong, but neither was there.

Their landlord claimed the two men were covered in mud when they returned on the night of July 26.

Police said the search for the siblings was continuing across the 395-acre stretch of land.

Police chief Warawut said: 'We cannot disclose details of the investigation at this stage, but we are urgently examining every possible lead.

‘We believe there is a suspect, and we are tracking him down. As for the two Russian siblings, their whereabouts remain unknown, and we are continuing our search for them.'

Thana was previously released from Rayong Central Prison on June 5 and had been living in the area.

He was arrested on October 13, 2018, on charges of unauthorised discharge of a firearm, carrying a firearm in a public place without a permit, and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic.

Authorities have been searching for Diana and Roman since they went missing in Pattaya on Sunday, July 26.

CCTV reportedly showed them greeting guards at the security booth of the housing estate as they drove away on a black Honda ADV motorcycle, at around 4:02 am local time.

They were later seen speaking with an unidentified motorcyclist under the Chak Ngaeo motorway bridge.

The pair were then seen riding along a frontage road near Wat Bang Yai, with another motorcycle closely following them at around 4:31 am.

Just minutes later, they passed the traffic lights under the Ban Sak Ngaeo motorway bridge before vanishing from the cameras.

Their mother Zarina Nazimova, 40, said she has been living in Pattaya since 2018, and her children joined her in 2021. Neither of the youngsters can speak Thai.

Police are appealing for information on the missing siblings' whereabouts as the search continues.