The mother of Tangmo – the Thai actress who drowned in the Chao Phraya river in suspicious circumstances back in February – has withdrawn her charges against all 6 suspects in the case. Today, Nonthaburi Provincial Court announced that the case had been suspended.
The court ruled that Pataratida “Tango” Patcharawirapong was not murdered, but died from “recklessness.”
All 5 people on board the boat with Tangmo that day were charged with “recklessness causing death” and other charges after Tangmo’s mother – Panida Siriyudthayothin -pressed charges against them. Tangmo’s mother also pressed charges against the lawyer that helped “coach” the suspects what to say in court.
President of the Help Crime Victim Club Ichara Ruangrattanaphong helped Panida collect evidence in the case and represented her in court. On July 14, Nonthaburi Provincial Court announced that they would have another hearing on July 20. However, Tangmo’s mother then removed Ichara as her representative. Now, she has withdrawn from the case.
On Tuesday, Panida travelled to Nonthaburi Provincial Court and requested to withdraw her accusations against all 6 suspects. She has not yet spoken publicly about her reasoning for dropping the charges.
Whether Tangmo’s case is over or not depends on if prosecutors decide to take it further. If prosecutors have reason to believe that restarting the case will be in the public’s interest, they may choose to start the case again, according to the law.
SOURCE: Thai Rath