Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow admitted that the murder of two Russian nationals in Pattaya, a major tourism center, has shaken tourist confidence and tarnished the country's image.
At a press conference in Bangkok, the minister said, "Thailand is a major tourism destination. When a crime like this happens, it damages tourists' trust. We must acknowledge that and show through concrete actions that we are determined to provide greater security."
The case concerns two Russian brothers named Nazimov who vanished in Pattaya on July 26. Police arrested suspects in connection with the incident. The suspects confessed to the killings and led authorities to the burial site.