Chon Buri Police Find No More Bodies in 7-Site Murder Search

Q: Could the advanced ground-scanning radar have missed concealed evidence hidden deeper within the Chon Buri coconut plantation?

Yes, it is possible, though not necessarily likely. Ground-penetrating radar is a useful screening tool, but it is not infallible. Its ability to detect buried remains depends on soil moisture, soil composition, root density, depth, the size of the object, and how much the ground was disturbed. In a coconut plantation, roots, uneven fill, and changing soil conditions can reduce image clarity. If evidence was buried deeper than the roughly two metres police excavated, or in a way that produced only a weak radar signature, it could in theory be missed. That said, police did more than rely on radar alone. They used three GPR devices, brought in geophysics specialists from Silpakorn University, scanned seven suspected spots, and then physically dug each marked area. That makes the search more reliable than a radar-only sweep and reduces the chance that obvious graves near the targeted sites were overlooked. The biggest limitation is scope, not just technology. Investigators focused on seven suspected locations near known burial sites after a suspect gave inconsistent directions during a reenactment. If the suspect was wrong, or if any remains were hidden outside those areas or at unusual depth, the search would not rule that out. So the search strongly suggests there are no additional remains in the scanned and excavated spots down to about two metres, but it cannot absolutely exclude deeper or differently located concealed evidence.

Q: Was the suspect's confusion during the reenactment a genuine memory lapse or a calculated move to mislead investigators?

It cannot be determined from the available evidence whether Thana’s confusion was genuine or deliberate. What is clear is that investigators treated his inconsistent reenactment seriously. He led police to an area near the known burial sites but reportedly appeared hesitant and kept changing the spot he identified. That behavior raised doubts about the reliability of his account and prompted police to bring in ground-penetrating radar and geophysics specialists from Silpakorn University, then excavate seven suspect locations to around two metres. That search found no additional bodies or skeletal remains. The negative result weakens the idea that his shifting directions pointed to another burial site, but it does not prove motive. His uncertainty could reflect poor recall, stress, fear, an attempt to protect accomplices, or an effort to waste investigators’ time. In cases involving traumatic events, reenactments are not always precise, but repeated changes in location can also be a classic sign of deception. Police themselves appear to be taking a cautious view. They have not publicly said his confusion was a memory lapse, nor have they said it was an intentional attempt to mislead. Instead, they have said any further excavation will depend on new information, soil conditions and expert advice. At this stage, the strongest journalistic reading is that his behavior undermined his credibility, but the evidence released so far does not allow a firm judgment on intent.

3 articles · Updated · Bangkok Post · Aug 6

Seven suspected burial spots in a Bang Lamung coconut plantation were excavated to about 2 metres, and police said no bodies or human skeletal remains were found.
Three ground-penetrating radar devices from Silpakorn University guided the search after suspect Thana "Pong" Kerdthong gave inconsistent directions during a crime reenactment near the graves.
Police said the operation was meant to ensure no additional victims or concealed evidence had been missed in the killings of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three.
No further digging is planned near either burial area unless new leads emerge, with any renewed excavation to depend on soil conditions and expert assessment.