Thai PM apologizes to Russians, orders tighter security after five killings

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has issued an apology to Russian visitors and ordered a crackdown on crime following the discovery of five bodies in Chonburi province. The victims included two Russian siblings and three members of a Thai family.

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We must restore confidence as much as possible.

Anutin visited the sites in Chonburi where the Russian siblings and the Thai family were allegedly killed and their bodies concealed. He received updates from investigators and appeared visibly distressed by the grim discoveries. The prime minister acknowledged that the high-profile killings have damaged Thailand's reputation and could erode confidence in popular tourist destinations like Chonburi and Pattaya.

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If this is allowed to continue, it would involve offenders repeatedly committing crimes. They did not act only against foreign nationals but also against three Thai people.

"We must restore confidence as much as possible," Anutin stated, emphasizing that allowing such crimes to continue would embolden offenders. He noted that the victims included both foreign nationals and Thai citizens, highlighting the broad impact on the country's image. The government plans to reassure both foreign visitors and the public that such incidents will not be repeated.

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I apologize to the Russian people and offer my condolences, especially when they have encouraged people from their country to visit ours.

Authorities have been instructed to intensify patrols and inspections, particularly in areas where serious crimes might be hidden or occur again. Anutin stressed the need for swift action to rebuild trust in public safety and Thailand's tourism sector. He specifically apologized to Russian nationals, expressing regret that the deaths occurred during a time when they were encouraging tourism to Thailand. The prime minister characterized the incidents as the work of "bad individuals" and not indicative of the country's overall safety.

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This was an outrageous incident, but it does not mean that our country is unsafe. It was the act of bad individuals.