Pattaya police arrest one suspect, hunt continues for two others who fled Thailand after ransom attack. PATTAYA, Thailand — Police in Pattaya are intensifying efforts to track down members of a Russian gang accused of abducting and assaulting a fellow national — a 26-year-old journalist — in a shocking ransom case involving violence, Bitcoin extortion, and luxury watches worth over 2 million baht. The case came to light when David Blank, a Russian journalist, was seen fleeing for his life from a hotel in Jomtien on June 26. Witnesses said he ran into a café inside a gas station, his hands still shackled with handcuffs, begging for help. According to his statement, he had been lured to the hotel by fellow Russian nationals, where he was handcuffed, beaten, and had a black bag placed over his head. His attackers reportedly recorded videos of the assault and sent them to his girlfriend, demanding she transfer Bitcoin and surrender high-end luxury watches valued at around 2 million baht — or else face worse consequences. Pattaya police later arrested one of the suspects at the scene — Anton Lokotkov, 26, who had booked the hotel room. Officers believe the room was intentionally used as the site of the assault. Lokotkov, however, has reportedly not cooperated with the investigation and denies knowing the victim. Victim alleges Bitcoin and luxury watches worth 2 million baht were extorted in chilling gang assault. As of June 27, police confirmed that two of the remaining three suspects had already fled Thailand, while one is believed to still be hiding in the country. Police, in cooperation with Chonburi’s transnational crime unit, are actively tracing their movements. Deputy Superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Arut Saphanon said Lokotkov has been charged with overstaying his visa, and investigators are working to verify whether the missing assets match the victim’s claims. Authorities also suspect deeper connections between the victim and assailants, despite both parties denying they knew each other. Evidence reportedly places them together before the attack, casting doubt on their claims and raising the possibility of an internal dispute within a known circle. Police vow to unravel the truth behind what appears to be a case of transnational criminal activity staged in a popular beach city — and bring the perpetrators to justice. Authorities suspect deeper ties between victim and attackers despite both denying prior connection.   Russian journalist escapes brutal abduction in Pattaya, handcuffed and begging for help at gas station café.