Tangmo’s death: 4 suspects stand firm in innocence ahead of verdict
Four suspects in the death of renowned Thai actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong visited Nonthaburi Provincial Court today, November 7, to plead their innocence for the last time before the court delivers its verdict.
The lifeless body of the famous Thai actress, Tangmo, was found on February 26, 2022, at Phibun Songkhram Pier along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Tangmo died after going on a boat trip with six friends and her manager on February 24 including:
- Idsarin “Gatick” Juthasuksawat (Tangmo’s friend and primary manager)
- Wisapat “Sand” Manomairat (transwoman manager)
- Tanupat “Por” Lerttaweewit (boat owner)
- Phaiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun (unlicensed boat driver)
- Nitas “Job” Kiratisoonthisathorn (mutual friend)
The friends sought help from the police and rescue team at around 10.40pm that night, claiming that Tangmo fell off the boat and went missing. The rescue team, along with Thai celebrities, family, and friends, spent over 40 hours searching for Tangmo until the afternoon of February 26, when Tangmo’s older brother spotted her body.
Tangmo’s death became a major topic of interest, sparking multiple theories about the cause of her death. Sand revealed to the media that Tangmo urinated at the back of the boat and accidentally fell into the river. Everyone on the boat admitted to drinking alcohol but insisted that they were not drunk.
As the group of friends did not immediately report the incident to the police, some people pointed fingers at them and suspected them of being involved in the actress’s death.
Another Thai man, Pheem “Em” Dharmatheerasanee, later became involved in the case as he allegedly advised the group on how to avoid legal charges after the accident.
Confident in innocence
Both the public and officials searched for evidence that could explain the cause of Tangmo’s death. Almost every security camera along their boat route was reviewed, and netizens scoured all the actress’s social media posts to uncover the cause of the tragic accident. However, no concrete evidence was found.
As of now, the cause of Tangmo’s death remains a topic of controversy, and legal proceedings against those involved are ongoing.
Police issued different legal charges against the six suspects. The primary charge against those on the boat is committing reckless acts causing the death of another person. The penalty for this offence is imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
Two men on the boat, Por and Robert, eventually admitted to reckless conduct that caused Tangmo’s death while the other four suspects denied all the allegations made against them.
Today, November 7, the Nonthaburi Provincial Court summoned the four suspects who denied the allegations including Gatick, Sand, Job, and Em for the final examination before the court’s verdict.
Sand was the only person to give an interview with the media before entering the court. She insisted that she was not reckless and was confident in her innocence. However, she acknowledged that she could not predict the court’s decision and did not want to interfere with the legal process.
The schedule for the release of the court’s verdict in Tangmo’s case has not yet been set.
On February 24 of last year and this year, Tangmo’s fans continued to place her pictures and flowers at Phibun Songkhram Pier in remembrance of her death. Some left messages for Tangmo, wishing her happiness wherever she may be.
