Police not quizzing ex-policeman over new allegation in actress drowning case

DESPITE a former Special Branch policeman having alleged in a TV programme that some military officers were in a luxury hotel the night actress Pataratida Patcharawirapong, or Tangmo Nida, drowned in Chao Phraya river during a speedboat trip last week a senior police officer said he will not be summoned for questioning about this new allegation, TV Channel 7 said today (Mar. 5).

Mr. Santhana Prayoonrat, or Deputy Tor, a former Special Branch Bureau officer said during an interview on the TV programme “Thok Mai Thiang” (“Discuss not Argue”) that on the night of the drowning (Feb. 24) in addition to the five people on the speedboat with Tangmo Nida there were military officers waiting at a luxury hotel on the Chao Phraya riverside.

However Pol. Col. Jaturon Anurakbandid, superintendent of Mueang Nonthaburi police station, told the reporters that Santhana would not be invited in for questioning because he was not involved in the case while urging them to follow the police report.

Reporters asked him whether it was true a hair had been found on the speedboat’s propeller and he countered by asking “What hair? Where did you get this information and who found it? I don’t know, I haven’t got a report about this.”

Pol. Col. Jaturon then mentioned that five additional witnesses had been called in for questioning all day today. They were all close to the case including those who were with Tangmo Nida when she drowned and Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescuers.

Altogether 40 witnesses have been questioned in this case so far.

CAPTIONS:

Top: A composite image showing Santhana and the speedboat by the riverside. The Thai headline says, “Santhana is not involved, not being invited to be questioned.” Photo: TV Channel 7

Home Page: Tangmo Nida. Photo: Sanook.com

Also read: Social media uproar over big payout to drowned actress’ mum

Police station denies getting big donation from actress’ friend

Drowned actress’ friend ‘said she could not swim but video clip shows otherwise’

Actress’ mum hands in evidence alleging attack before she drowned

Friends, skipper face charges after body of actress finally found

Friends of actress who fell into the river to be quizzed