Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong fell from a speedboat and drowned after an inexperienced companion who’d been drinking took the wheel and lost control as he sped through the river, the authorities confirmed last night.
Confirming the version of events that has taken shape through a mix of disclosures and speculation, the police said Paiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun admitted that he was behind the wheel during their late night river cruise that ended with Tangmo disappearing into the water.
“We can confirm that when Tangmo fell, Robert was the operator,” Maj. Gen. Udorn Yomcharoen told reporters. “At some point the boat lurched, and she fell. If the speed was at eight knots like he said, that’s quite fast.”
That a propeller seriously injured her leg as she fell in was still being examined, the police said.
Paiboon reportedly admitted that though he was an inexperienced boat operator, he had told the others he wanted to take the wheel that night. Once at the helm, he caused the boat to jerk, and Tangmo went overboard near the stern while she was urinating into the river. He said the boat was moving at about 8 knots, or nearly 15kph, at the time.
Paiboon, who had initially avoided answering questions due to his “high blood pressure,” was eventually seen cooperating with the authorities at a recent police “re-enactment” of what happened.
The authorities also recovered wine glasses from the bottom of the river which led to all five confessing that they have been drinking. Moreover, a wine bottle was found at Paiboon’s home after the incident. Three of them tested negative for drugs.
In the days after Tangmo’s death late last month, Paiboon and boat owner Danupat “Por” Lerttaweewit were charged with operating an unlicensed vehicle.
The two plan to begin their culturally prescribed contrition by ordaining as monks next week at Wat Tha Mai in the southwest metro province of Samut Sakhon. The temple said it would check whether they could, after a recent attempt by a high-profile perp to monk their way to forgiveness didn’t go very well.
Both Paiboon and Por, as well as the other three passengers – Tangmo’s longtime manager Itsarin “Kratik” Jutasuksawat, Wisapat “Sand” Manomairat, and Nitat “Job” Keeratisutthisathorn – could face charges of negligence and making false statements.
The authorities also told reporters that the case is expected to close Friday in time for Tangmo’s memorial service this weekend; however, they added that it would take another week for forensic results to conclude the cause of a deep gash on Tangmo’s leg.
The police have been criticized for their mishandling of the case, including publicized “simulation” of what happened aboard the boat during which its propeller fell off and sank.
Maj. Gen. Yingyos Thepjamnong reiterated that the evidence they have collected points to the suspects being charged with negligence rather than murder.
Meanwhile, new evidence is emerging that has people demanding that #TangmoShouldNotDieForFree online.
It includes security footage purportedly depicting Paiboon and Kratik getting into a white Toyota Yaris on the night of the incident as well as a phone call in which Kratik reportedly urged the others to wait until they had returned to the pier before contacting anyone.
Another video spreading online overnight features a man on a boat yelling “P’Por slow down” and another saying “No wonder she jumped in,” but its authenticity has not been verified.
🤔 #แตงโมต้องไม่ตายฟรี pic.twitter.com/tolc8Yh48Z
— พี่ยังไหวนะน้องนะ (@mynameislove_pk) March 9, 2022
