Re-enactment of actress Tangmo's drowning challenges accidental death claim

A group of people staged a re-enactment of the drowning of Thai actress Nida Patcharaveerapong, known to her fans as ‘Tangmo‘, today. She lost her life after falling into the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi from a speed boat on February 24, 2022. The re-enactment is an attempt to prove that her death was not accidental, but pre-mediated murder.

The exercise was jointly organised by Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, an independent lawyer and head of an organisation which helps victims of crime, and Panthep Wongpuapan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University.

Five ‘Miss Grand Universe’ contestants and a diving instructor volunteered to play the roles of Nida and the other passengers on the boat when the incident occurred.

Panthep said that a drill took place yesterday on the river, during which the participants were asked to jump into the river one at a time. The diving instructor, Virinda Akaravanich, was the last to jump.

Virinda said she would do her best because she wants Nida’s case to be cleared up, adding that she advised the five female participants about how to prepare for their safety.

Atchariya, meanwhile, said that he would visit three locations today around a shipyard in Nonthaburi to collect soil samples. He also said that he is convinced that, about three years ago, Nida’s drowning was not accidental and that the deep cuts in her leg were not caused by the boat’s propeller.

He also said that he is willing to risk his career or jail and fines if he loses all the lawsuits filed against him for attempting to revive Nida’s case for a new inquest.

Dr Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a physician who also doubts that Nida’s death was accidental, said that none of those involved in the re-enactment are seeking fame, but are determined to uncover the truth about the actress’s death.

Six people on the speed boat were indicted by public prosecutors. Two of them admitted negligence, resulting in Nida’s fall into the river.

The two were Tanupat Lerttaweewit and Paiboon Trikanjananun.

They were sentenced in May 2023 by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court to prison terms of two years and six months and two years and two months respectively, suspended for three years due to their guilty pleas. Both were ordered to perform public services and fined 64,000 baht and 54,000 baht respectively.