Tales of intrigue, theft, kidnapping, murder, police misconduct, economic interests, and sectarian feuds, mixed in with possible ties to royal families in two kingdoms, are rich material for writers and conspiracy theorists, but not always conducive to effective and transparent investigation, let alone justice. The Thai media has persisted in mixing up the strands of the jewelry theft story with the separate story of the Saudi diplomat murders, which almost certainly were part of a Saudi feud with Hezbollah. Even linkages between the initial 1989 jewelry theft and later murders of the Saudi businessman in 1990 and family mem3e=[!zntability in Thailand for crimes committed by those in authority, in this case the police. The moves could also help normalize Thai-Saudi relations, but may not be enough. According to the Saudi Charge to Thailand, King Abdullah assured him that he would elevate the Charge to Ambassador -- thereby restoring normal diplomatic ties between the two countries -- provided the Charge could make progress on the businessman murder and jewelry theft cases. At the moment, there is progress on the former, but not on the latter. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT