PATTAYA – A missing Russian man is believed to have been killed, dismembered, and buried in multiple spots in Bang Lamung, Chonburi. Police are now hunting for everyone involved after finding chat messages that allegedly threatened his life if he didn’t repay a debt.
At around 4:00 p.m. on February 1, 2026, investigators found remains believed to be Mikhail Emelianov, a 30-year-old Russian national who had been missing for weeks. His mother, Olga Lazabenko, 51, had flown from Russia to Thailand to file a report and push authorities to help locate her son. She said she feared something serious had happened.
Before he disappeared, Mikhail Emelianov reportedly received threatening messages from a fellow Russian. The messages demanded repayment of a debt totaling more than $120,000, or about 3.7 million baht. A missing person report was filed on January 8, 2026, but his whereabouts remained unknown.
After the complaint, police leaders from Nong Prue Police Station and the Chonburi Provincial Investigation Unit assembled teams to trace his movements. Officers reviewed available CCTV footage and followed leads tied to his last known contacts.
Body Parts Buried in Separate Locations
Police say the latest breakthrough came when they searched a vacant lot, about 10 acres, near a pond in Soi Phatthanakan 4, Moo 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi. The remains were found buried in several places close to each other, roughly 1 to 2 meters apart.
Early checks at the scene indicated the victim had been killed, cut into pieces, and buried in different points. Some parts were wrapped in black plastic bags, while others were wrapped in clothing. Investigators noted the clothing matched what Mikhail was last seen wearing: a black crew-neck T-shirt and light green long pants.
Authorities said identification is still being confirmed through forensic work and an autopsy. However, the evidence at the scene strongly suggests the remains belong to the missing man, who had been gone for more than 23 days.
Police Detained Suspect in Bangkok
Police also reported that investigators in Chonburi have already detained a suspect in connection with the case. The suspect is a foreign national and was arrested in Bangkok. Officers are bringing the suspect in for questioning as the investigation continues.
Investigators believe the killing may be linked to a debt dispute. Police pointed to chat messages that allegedly demanded the return of the $120,000 and included violent threats, including claims about selling body parts if the money was not paid back.
Police said they will wait for full forensic results and additional interviews before confirming the exact motive and identifying everyone involved. Further updates are expected as the case develops.
Russian Criminal Groups in Pattaya
Pattaya, Thailand’s busy beach resort, has drawn a sizable Russian expatriate crowd for years, along with people tied to organized crime. Since the post-Soviet period, Russian criminal groups, often called the Russian mafia, have kept a foothold in tourist areas like Pattaya.
They’re attracted by weak enforcement, easy business openings, and a steady flow of Russian visitors and long-term residents.
Over time, these groups have been linked to influence in nightlife spots, strip clubs, restaurants, and car-rental businesses. Reported activity includes drug trafficking (heroin, marijuana, plus newer setups using apps and crypto), prostitution rings that move Eastern European women, extortion, and racketeering aimed at other expatriates or local businesses. Some cases have also involved violence, including kidnappings and debt disputes.
Thai police have run raids and made arrests in Pattaya, including suspects hiding as fugitives. They don’t run the city; local networks and other foreign groups compete, but low-key operations still fit Pattaya’s party and sex-tourism scene. Tourists don’t usually face direct danger, yet the underworld adds to the city’s image.
