A motorcycle taxi driver was called in and questioned by police on Wednesday after streaming a video live on Facebook of a woman jumping off the Rama VII bridge across the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Nittaya Sawasdiwan, 18, plunged from the bridge into the Chao Phraya River about 2am on Tuesday. She had hired Pataradanai Noomsrinart to take her from Lat Phrao to the bridge.
Bowon Mongkol police chief Pol Col Weeradol Tubtimdee said Mr Pataradanai told police he understood that he was being paid 500 baht to help film the atmosphere on the bridge at that time of day for Ms Nittaya.
The livestream showed her jumping from the bridge. She has not been seen since.
Mr Pataradanai said he quickly ended the broadcast when he realised what had happened and immediately called police to report the incident.
Pol Col Weeradol said no charge was brought against Mr Pataradanai as searchers were still trying to find the missing woman.
“Until the search is concluded, we cannot confirm whether the girl in the video is dead or alive, and we can file no charge against Mr Pataradanai unless there is evidence to back it up,” Pol Col Weeradol said.
Ms Nittaya's motive for her actions remained unknown, but the motocycle driver told Bowon Mongkol police he heard her crying during the ride. Her family has been informed.
Deputy national police commander Pol Gen Weerachai Songmetta said Mr Pataradanai could be in violation of the Criminal Code for failing to help a person in danger. The maximum penalty is a fine of 10,000 baht and/or a jail term of one month.