Chon Buri police denied allegations that the suspects in the murder of Russian siblings had close ties to police officers or influential figures after rumours spread on social media following their arrests. Police arrested Thana “Pong” Kirdthong and Thongchai “Thong” Srinin on July 31 in connection with the deaths of two Russian siblings who were reported missing by their mother on July 28. Thongchai told investigators further that Thana and other suspects were involved in the disappearance and deaths of another family of three. Relatives of that family had filed a missing persons report on July 7, but the investigation had not produced any developments before the Russian siblings case. The developments prompted criticism of local police, with some members of the public questioning whether earlier progress in the missing family case could have prevented the deaths of the Russian siblings.