Three defendants in Tangmo drowning case walk free

The Nonthaburi Provincial Court acquitted three defendants today who were charged with negligence resulting in the drowning death of the late Thai actress Nida Patcharaveerapong, popularly known as “Tangmo,” in the Chao Phraya River on April 24, 2022.

The three defendants were Idsarin Juthasuksawat, Wisapat Manomairat, and Paem Thamthirasri.

A fourth defendant, Nitas Kiratisoothisathorn, was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 24,000 baht for littering and attempting to destroy evidence. The prison term was suspended for one year.

The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the four defendants were negligent, resulting in Tangmo’s death.

In May 2023, the Nonthaburi Provincial Court found two defendants, Tanupat Lerttaweewit and Paiboon Trikanjananun, guilty of recklessness causing death and operating a boat without a license, respectively.

Tanupat was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, suspended for three years, while Paiboon received a sentence of two years and two months, also suspended for three years.

The six defendants and Tangmo were traveling together on a speedboat along the Chao Phraya River on the night of her death. Tangmo accidentally fell into the river and drowned. Her body was found floating near a pier in Nonthaburi, following a two-day search by emergency rescue teams.

Conspiracy theories persist, however, with some maintaining that Tangmo’s death was not accidental.