On Saturday (December 20) it had been announced that the soldiers had been released without charge. That decision has now apparently been reversed by the court.
Five Thai civilians were charged with abduction and extortion, and released on bail.
Yesterday the victims of the alleged abduction (all 10 Thais deny abducting anyone) were taken by police to visit the place at which the bizarre story, involving a missing B15 million and a lot of guns, began.
Led by Chalong investigator Capt Patiwat Yodkhown, Igor Iermakov, 37, his wife Maryna, 32, and a translator visited the abduction site on Friendship Beach in Rawai.
Capt Patiwat requested the press not to take pictures at the location.
The five soldiers, Master Sergeant 3rd class Sumit Chuaybumrung, Sgt Wichian Suknun, Sgt Chenpong Boonmee, Pvt Ritichai Promkaew and Pvt Phisit Keawwihok, are named in the arrest warrants, which state that they are wanted for threatening others and abduction when armed.
Neither the Provincial Police Commander, Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, nor the Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, Col Krittapas Dechintarasorn, would comment of the issue of the warrants.
The soldiers’ commander, Maj Gen Teenachat Jinda-Ngern, said he had not been informed about the warrants yet.