Diana Nazimova, 22, and her 17-year-old brother Roman Nazimova have been missing since about 04:00 on 26 July, according Huai Yai Police.
The siblings, both Russian nationals, were travelling together on a black-and-grey Honda ADV 150 motorcycle bearing Chonburi registration 4 Kor Sor 6379 when they disappeared.
Their mother later reported them missing and appealed for their safe return, telling authorities she feared they could be in danger.
Khaosod Thai reported that the siblings had apparently left home to visit a convenience store. CCTV footage reportedly showed another motorcycle following them.
Before contact was lost, Diana reportedly sent a message saying she believed they were being followed. Her phone also issued an alert that an unidentified Bluetooth tracking device had been detected nearby, according to the report. Both siblings’ phones were switched off shortly afterwards.
The family has lived in Thailand for several years, while Diana and Roman moved to the country in 2021 and attended school in Pattaya.
The search took a disturbing turn on Wednesday when local officials discovered the siblings’ motorcycle buried in a forested area of Moo 9 in Huai Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district.
A local official, identified as Jakkrit, said authorities initially received information that several men had been digging in the area since about 22:00 the previous night.
Officials who went to inspect the site reportedly encountered four men with digging equipment. The men fled before police arrived, leaving behind an area of recently disturbed soil.
Authorities initially feared that a body had been buried at the site. However, when they dug into the ground, they found the missing motorcycle, which had reportedly been taken apart before being concealed. The four men had not been identified, and police had not publicly established their connection to the disappearance.
Police, Bang Lamung district officials and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation then deployed more than 200 personnel to search the surrounding forest.
Teams divided the area into several zones and searched for more than three hours, but had found no further trace of the siblings or additional evidence as of Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities continued combing the area and had not withdrawn their personnel.
Police also brought in a local resident identified as Thong, who lives near the site where the motorcycle was found, for questioning. No details from the interview were immediately released.
Anyone with information about Diana or Roman’s whereabouts is urged to contact Huai Yai Police Station at 038 110 333.
