Bangkok –
Paiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun, one of the speedboat passengers present at the death of famous Thai actress Nida “Dtangmo” Patcharawirapong, 37, (Her nickname means watermelon in English) reportedly admitted to the police that he caused the boat to lurch while temporarily trying to drive, throwing Dtangmo overboard to her death.
Robert had no experience driving a speedboat, according to his own statement, yet was given permission by the speedboat driver to temporarily steer the vessel.
Police Major General Udon Yomcharoen, the deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, stated to the press yesterday, March 8th, that Robert’s testimony revealed that he did not know exactly how to drive a speedboat but he wanted to try it out at the time of the incident, February 24th.
Incompetent driving at the speed of eight knots resulted in a sudden lurch while Dtangmo was reportedly getting up from the back of the boat, causing her to immediately fall into the Chao Praya River.
All of the speedboat companions also reportedly confessed to drinking alcoholic beverages on the vessel and being under the influence of alcohol. They did not mention it to the officials originally and discarded all the drinking glasses because they were afraid of being charged for drunk driving, according to their statement to the police.
Forensic examination to seek the cause of a deep cut on Dtangmo’s left thigh was being done by Chulalongkorn’s and Ramathibodi Hospital’s forensic teams. The result would be announced in about a week and could lead to further charges against the passengers if any.
Police Major General Yingyot Thepchamnong, the spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, added that the evidence collected at the moment had indicated that the case was likely to lead to charges of causing death by negligence. But the evidence did not indicate a murder nor appear to involve illegal drugs amongst the boat driver or the speedboat passengers. Therefore, no further complaints had been filed yet.
It was unclear, notes TPN media, if charges would be placed around conflicting statements that ended up being incorrect in earlier police interviews from the passengers. The case has fascinated Thai media for the past two weeks, although has been less viewed and discussed on English-speaking Thai media.
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