The family of armed forces cadet Pakapong "Moei" Tanyakan walked out of a meeting with the military panel investigating his death after the chairman refused to allow two relatives to hear the findings on Tuesdsay.
The Tanyakan family vowed to continue their fight with those involved in the 18-year-old's untimely death at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Academy.
Pakapong's father Pichet Tanyakan, grieving mother Sukanya, sister and two relatives went to an 11am meeting at Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters with the inquiry panel chaired by ACM Chawarat Marungruang to formally hear the findings.
Before going into the meeting, Mrs Sukanya said the family had questions about several issues.
At 11.20am, all five family members suddenly walked out of the meeting room, appearing very upset.
Mrs Sukanya said they left because the military would not allow the two relatives to hear the findings.
“We are not happy with this. As they invited us, all of us must be allowed (to hear the findings). We stand firm that we will sue and take legal action. We have yet to receive any explanation from the chairman of the inquiry panel. They would not allow all of us to attend,’’ Mrs Sukanya said.
Pakapong's older sister Supicha said the military panel would not allow two uncles who had raised Pakapong since he was young to attend the meeting.
Mr Pichet said his family would brief the media later in Chon Buri on their plans. He and his family then quickly departed.
Around 11.35am an armed forces representative contacted the family by phone, advising that all of them would be allowed to attend the meeting.
Pakapong's family had been invited to hear the findings following the announcement the first-year cadet died of sudden cardiac arrest, not as a result of injuries caused by physical abuse as suspected by his family
The panel said it had questioned 42 people during its weeks-long inquiry, including senior students who are authorised discipline students if they break the rules.
The panel found Pakapong’s death had nothing to do with any punishment, also known as thamrong winai, or maintaining discipline. Although the young cadet had been put through thamrong winai two days prior to his death on Oct 17, none of the punishments were life-threatening, the inquiry panel reported.
The officers suspected Pakapong might have had a heart disorder.
Following the findings, the cadet's mother denounced the military inquiry, accusing them of blaming her son for events leading to his own death. She vowed to seek justice for her son.
