PHUKET: A formal murder investigation has begun on Phuket with the confirmation of the finding of the body of kidnapped Russian Alexei Slabinskiy, 39, today.
His body was found in Cherng Talay but checks were needed to compare with Slabinskiy's dental records, held at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, to be absolutely certain.
The national commander of the Royal Thai Police, Major General Eak Aungsananon, flew to Phuket to join local police for an announcement at Phuket City Police Headquarters.
The hunt will now continue for Russian Aleksandr Novichkov, 57. and Ukranian Olexandre Boychuk, 44, who allegedly kidnapped Slabinskiy and his girlfriend Yana Strizheus and forced them to demand money from Slabinskiy's relatives.
Strizheus, 23, flew home to Russia on April 3 with relatives of Slabinskiy, who posted a large reward for information leading to the capture of the two accused men.
They are now soon to be wanted for murder.
Strizheus and Slabinskiy vanished on March 7. Ms Strizheus reappeared at the Blue Garden Resort and Spa in Cherng Talay on March 16, having suffered wounds to her neck and an arm.
Traumatised at first, she eventually told Phuket police .that she and Slabinskiy had been kidnapped and forced to demand a large sum from Slabinskiy's relatives.
When no money came, the pair were allegedly driven to a quiet spot in the jungle near Cherng Talay where Slabinskiy was executed, Strizheus has told police.
Sniffer dogs found a body in a green plastic bag in jungle near Cherng Talay.
Slabinskiy and Strizheus came to Phuket on education visas and were working but borrowed three million baht from Novichkov. It is believed he wanted the money back and in the end, allegedly killed Salbinskiy.
His body was found in Cherng Talay but checks were needed to compare with Slabinskiy's dental records, held at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City, to be absolutely certain.
The national commander of the Royal Thai Police, Major General Eak Aungsananon, flew to Phuket to join local police for an announcement at Phuket City Police Headquarters.
The hunt will now continue for Russian Aleksandr Novichkov, 57. and Ukranian Olexandre Boychuk, 44, who allegedly kidnapped Slabinskiy and his girlfriend Yana Strizheus and forced them to demand money from Slabinskiy's relatives.
Strizheus, 23, flew home to Russia on April 3 with relatives of Slabinskiy, who posted a large reward for information leading to the capture of the two accused men.
They are now soon to be wanted for murder.
Strizheus and Slabinskiy vanished on March 7. Ms Strizheus reappeared at the Blue Garden Resort and Spa in Cherng Talay on March 16, having suffered wounds to her neck and an arm.
Traumatised at first, she eventually told Phuket police .that she and Slabinskiy had been kidnapped and forced to demand a large sum from Slabinskiy's relatives.
When no money came, the pair were allegedly driven to a quiet spot in the jungle near Cherng Talay where Slabinskiy was executed, Strizheus has told police.
Sniffer dogs found a body in a green plastic bag in jungle near Cherng Talay.
Slabinskiy and Strizheus came to Phuket on education visas and were working but borrowed three million baht from Novichkov. It is believed he wanted the money back and in the end, allegedly killed Salbinskiy.
