Speedboat owner and driver confess to charges in connection with drowning tragedy
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court has given two defendants in the drowning death of actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong suspended jail sentences ordered them to perform public services.
Tangmo, 37, fell into the Chao Phraya River from a speedboat near the Pibul 1 pier in Muang district of Nonthaburi on the night of Feb 24 last year. Her body was found two days later.
Public prosecutors initially indicted six suspects in one case. They were Tanupat “Por” Lerttaweewit, Phaiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun, Wisapat “Sand” Manomairat, Nitas “Job” Kiratisoonthisathorn, Tangmo’s manager Idsarin “Gatick” Juthasuksawat, and Peam “Em” Thamtheerasri.
On March 2, during a court hearing to examine the evidence in the six cases, speedboat owner Tanupat confessed to a charge of recklessness causing death, and Phaiboon confessed to operating the boat without a licence.
The court decided to conduct a trial of the two in a separate case, leading to its rulings on Wednesday.
Tanupat was sentenced to five years and eight months in jail and fined 128,000 baht. Because he confessed and showed an intention to pay compensation to the damaged parties, the jail term was halved to two years and nine months, suspended for three years, and the fine reduced to 64,000 baht. He was ordered to perform public services.
Phaiboon was given four years and four months in jail and fined 108,000 baht. Because he confessed and intended to pay compensation, his jail term was halved to two years and two months, suspended for three years, and the fine halved to 54,000 baht. He was also ordered to perform public services.