The mother of TV actress Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong says she does not believe that her daughter's death was the result of an accidental fall from a speedboat on the Chao Phraya River.
Panida Sirayutthayothin told reporters many issues surrounding the death of her daughter did not add up. Rescuers found the 37-year-old actress's body in the Chao Phraya near the Pibul Songkhram 1 pier in Nonthaburi around 1.10pm on Saturday, about one kilometre away from where she fell from the speedboat around 10pm on Thursday night.
Ms Panida said she wanted to know who arranged the photoshoot her daughter was supposedly hired to do. She added it was far-fetched to think the six people, including Tangmo and her manager, were in the boat together just to have a meal. Looking at the photos, she said the actress appeared to have dressed up.
Ms Panida said people in the boat may have had an argument which contributed to her daughter's ill fate. One photo released of her daughter showed her in a sombre mood as she sat alone at the back of the boat. "Someone might not have been pleased Tangmo was there," she said.
Ms Panida also discounted reports the toilet on the boat was not working properly. "Tangmo was a star. It's hard to imagine her going to the rear of the boat for that," said Ms Panida. Earlier reports said the actress went to the back of the boat to relieve herself, due to the boat's toilet being broken. Eakpan Bunluerit, a volunteer rescue worker and actor who joined the search team, said there was a deep cut on Tangmo's thigh.
Pol Maj Gen Paisal Wongwatcharamongkol, chief of Nonthaburi police, said the driver also did not have a licence. However, no one has been charged in the case.