Urgent Text, Buried Bike: The Search for Two Young Russians in Pattaya

The disappearance of a brother and sister from Russia has turned into a major police operation in Pattaya after their half-dismantled motorcycle was found buried in a forest, just 200 meters from a highway. The Russian embassy in Bangkok says it remains in close contact with the siblings’ mother and the local police leading the search.

Diana Nazimova, 22, and her 17-year-old brother Roman vanished in the early hours of July 26. They left their home on a motorbike at 4 a.m. local time. Twenty minutes later, their mother—who was in Bangkok at the time—received a text from Diana containing only one word: “Urgent!” That was the last communication. CCTV footage later showed the pair pulling onto the main road from their housing estate. On Wednesday morning, police uncovered the bike, partially stripped and buried in a wooded area south of Pattaya, raising fears for their safety.

A massive search is now underway, with over 200 officers from local police and municipal authorities involved, alongside Russian volunteers and residents of the area. So far, no further clues have emerged. The embassy’s consular chief, Ilya Ilyin, told reporters that they are monitoring developments closely and supporting the family as the hunt for Diana and Roman continues.