News update.

[MioBikerBoyz]

Tour guide heads murder suspects in Pattaya Russian slaying investigation

A tour guide would now appear to be the latest suspect in the prominent ongoing murder investigation into the death of the two Russian female tourists according to the Commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau 2, Police Lieutenant General Assawin Kwanmuang.

The case has for once roused the local authorities to action; like never before. And with good reason as Pattaya’s reputation becomes more infamous by the moment. However, there is still no auxiliary support from the Thai Marines and neighbouring police forces as was promised after the previous assault on Russian tourists in Pattaya.

 

Both the Thai Tourist Authority and the local police are collaborating at the highest level to solve the murder case and be seen to be taking firm steps to reduce the currently high crime rate, especially as it applies to foreign tourists. Current moves include emergency meetings, the first at Anunthaya hotel, opposite the crime scene on Jomtien Beach where Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were so callously gunned down early on Saturday morning by an unknown assailant.

 

Both Pattaya Mayor, Mr. Niran Wattanasartsathorn and the Governor of Chonburi, Mr. Pracha Taerat have recently voiced their concern over Pattaya’s high crime rates and have vowed to crack down on the currently high crime rates in the city.

 

In immediate response to the slaying, there has been an unprecedented deployment of Thai police officers in an attempt to solve this case as soon as possible. Approximately 50 officers were split into 12 working groups, with each being assigned the duty of investigating a particular aspect of this case. This has included searching for witnesses, gathering information from tourist locations (such as Walking Street), working with the Russian Embassy, investigating the crime scene more thoroughly and examining hotel occupancy records. A reward of 100,000 Baht (about US$3,000) has also been offered for the speedy capture of the gunman.

 

A male tour guide now heads the list of suspects. He had apparently escorted the two Russians on nightly visits to local entertainment venues. The guide was identified from CCTV video footage from cameras, which have recently been erected to provide security on popular Jomtien Beach, but it would appear from what has currently been seen that the CCTVs’ zoom facilities leave something to be desired. The tourist guide has since disappeared.

 

Other suspects in the case include two Russian males pictured in a group photograph with the two slain victims. These two males were later questioned by police and found to be in possession of marijuana, but they denied being the males in the holiday snaps.

 

The police and also Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya Director, Chaiwat Charoensuk, have apparently dropped the assertion that the two young women were involved in prostitution. Lt.Gen. Assawin said Sunday that the women worked as telephone operators in Russia and were visiting Thailand for the first time with a tour group. They had noting to do with illegal trans-national prostitution, according to personal records shown by a representative from the Russian Embassy. Likewise, Mr Chaiwat, as reported by the Bangkok Post, said ''I don't think they were prostitutes because they both had decent jobs in Russia and it was their first time to Pattaya''. Robbery was also not deemed to be a motive as the victims' belongings were left untouched.

 

The whole incident has aroused a great deal of controversy among local foreign residents and tourists, some of whom are privy to the reality of life in what is euphemistically called “Fun City”. The complaints include Thai chauvinism, a callous attitude among Thais towards the fate of any farang (Western foreigners), and frank disbelief concerning the intelligence of foreign tourists, especially Russians, who seem to have abandoned any concerns of self-preservation by wandering about, particularly, in the early hours of the morning in deserted areas; accidents just waiting to happen.

 

Whatever the outcome of this case, it is certain that the Powers that Be will have to make a concerted long-term effort to radically reduce the crime rate in Pattaya, especially as it applies to foreigners who seem to be easy targets, else no tourists will come here; certainly not until the security of the region radically improves.

 

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000002492

[Geronimo]

Havent seen anything about that case in a long time now.

 

Does anybody know anything about some progress in the case? Has anybody really been charged with the murders?

 

Do the Authorities just want everyone to forget and just wait till the case fades away.

Maybe they really have no clue what had happened, or do they just want to keep everyone in the dark.

 

Still many questions, will there ever be some answers?