Police are examining ‘new evidence’ from a CCTV camera that recorded footage of Speedboat TV actress Nida ‘Tangmo’ Patcharaveerapong fell before drowning in the Chao Phraya River last month.
Video taken from a building by the river reportedly shows a person in the stern (rear) of the speedboat standing and sitting, as the boats move along the river, before Tango fell overboard and drowned on the night of February 24. images, Pol Lt Gen Jirapat Phumichit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, said on Sunday…
“This evidence is helpful as it will help investigators gain more clarity on this case.”
He said footage shows an unidentified person standing and sitting in the back of the speedboat at 10:34 p.m. that evening – before Tangmo fell into the river – but further investigation is needed to determine whether the person shown is actually the actress. . He said police would consult with film experts from local production houses to help improve the clarity of the video, in conjunction with inspecting the boat’s GPS coordinates.
Tangmo’s body was originally scheduled to be cremated today, but on Saturday his mother asked investigators to transfer the body to the institute for further examination. Also on Saturday, Tango fans staged a protest in Bangkok, calling for justice. Last week, a fellow actor and volunteer rescuer questioned the results of the initial autopsy report. Three days of memorial services were held over the weekend to celebrate the life of the late actress, as the inquest into her death ends its third week with no clear conclusion in sight.
According to the director of the Central Institute of Forensic Sciences of the Ministry of Justice, Pol Col Songsak Raksaksakul…
“His body will be kept at Thammasat University Hospital, and the re-examination is expected to be completed in no less than 30 days.”
The new evidence came to light after a series of CCTV footage – allegedly showing the speedboat party on the river that night – merged online, sparking widespread speculation and conspiracy theories. One video in particular appears to show a long-haired figure standing at the bow (front) of the boat, where there appears to be a struggle – but it’s unclear who the blurred figures are.
Tangmo’s family may also seek the services of the Department of Special Investigations, the Bangkok Post reported. Meanwhile, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunant, the former director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, weighed in on the ongoing investigation. Writing in a Facebook post, the popular medical examiner said Tangmo’s family may review the autopsy report, which many people mistakenly believe only the police can access.
The doctor, who has previously criticized the ongoing investigation into Tangmo’s death, said that in Thailand forensic pathologists have a legal duty to reveal the truth, but the process is not transparent enough since autopsies were incorporated into police investigations. . She said Thailand should therefore adopt the UN’s Minnesota Protocol, which provides a set of guidelines that doctors should act independently without outside influence.
Read a rough English translation of Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunant’s message in Thai…
“Why is it so difficult for relatives to access the deceased’s death data? Probably because there was a traditional culture where the police sent bodies for examination. So we have to send the test results only to the police. This appears to be a misunderstanding of legal rights or principles. But probably because countries where the autopsy system is a police system have a culture that can hinder the search for truth.
“The United Nations therefore demands that the world adopt an equitable approach under the Minnesota Protocol. The ethical requirements of forensic pathologists are clear: they must be independent, impartial and free from pressure from employers or the police. Based on this principle, requests for second autopsies are reduced. People should also be aware of these rights and principles.
SOURCES: Bangkok Post | The Thaiger | YouTube | Facebook
