Cops want 6 indicted in Tangmo case

Cops want 6 indicted in Tangmo case

Prosecutors set to decide on May 27

The police have forwarded a dossier on their investigation into the death of Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong on Feb 24 to public prosecutors, after concluding the actress's death was caused by the reckless actions of the individuals on the boat with her.

They will ask the prosecution to indict six suspects on charges including reckless endangerment causing death.

Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, Pol Lt Gen Jirapat Phumjit, said investigators were convinced by the evidence in their possession and witness statements that Tangmo died after falling into the Chao Phraya River from the back of the speedboat she was travelling in with her friends at 10.34pm that night.

After she fell in the water, the suction generated by the boat's propeller pulled her towards the blades, which resulted in 26 gashes on her body -- the largest of which was found on the inner side of her right thigh, he said.

No traces of narcotics and/or other substances which may have incapacitated her were found in her system, and a formal forensic examination concluded that her cause of death was drowning, he added.

Investigators concluded there was no way to verify the claim made by one of Tangmo's friends that she accidentally slipped off the boat while relieving herself at the stern, as there were no witnesses to attest to that.

That said, Pol Lt Gen Jirapat said the witnesses were believed to be telling the truth when they said they knew someone had gone to the back of the boat and then disappeared.

After questioning 124 witnesses and examining 88 pieces of evidence, 200 video clips, and 2,249 documents, investigators believe they have sufficient evidence to press charges against six people, said Pol Maj Gen Paisan Wongwacharamongkol, commander of Nonthaburi police.

The speedboat's owner, Tanupat "Por" Lerttaweewit was charged with reckless endangerment causing death, driving a boat without a licence, dropping objects into the river, giving false statements, failing to display the boat's registered name on the vessel and driving a boat with an expired registration.

Phaiboon "Robert" Trikanjananun was charged with reckless endangerment causing death, driving a boat without a licence, driving a boat with an expired registration and dropping objects into the river.

Wisapat "Sand" Manomairat, who told the police she saw Tangmo fall from the stern, faced charges of reckless endangerment causing death, while Nitas "Job" Kiratisoothisathorn was charged with concealing evidence in a criminal case and dropping objects into the river.

Tangmo's manager, Idsarin "Gatick" Juthasuksawat was charged with concealing evidence in a criminal case and giving false statements.

Peam "Em" Thamtheerasri -- who was not in the boat but who reportedly advised the other passengers to delay giving their statements to the police -- was charged with concealing evidence in a criminal case and directing others to make false statements.

All of the suspects can avoid jail until May 27, when prosecutors will reveal their decision on their indictments.

Tangmo's mother, Panida Siriyuthayothin, said she was satisfied with the outcome of the investigation.

She said she plans to seek over 30 million baht in damages when she files a civil case for the wrongful death of her daughter.

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