Probe into mysterious death of former Phang Nga land officer in DSI custody progresses slowly

Probe into the suspicious death of the Investigators in the case of a former Phang Nga in the custody of the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) made a slow progress as the police yesterday inspected the detention room where the victim was detained for clues and evidence.

The team of police investigators from Thung Song Hong police station was headed by the commander of the 2nd division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Forensic police were also among the team inspecting the room where the former land officer Thawatchai Anukul, died, initially of suicide attempt.

But autopsy examination later revealed he died of ruptured liver and internal bleeding.

His death under suspicious circumstances sparked outcry from his family and promoted the Justice Ministry to appoint another team comprising multi agencies to probe.

The police inspection was to primarily find other physical evidence such as fingerprints, DNA and tissue samples as well as other chemical residues in a water bottle in the cell to complement the case file.

A police investigator revealed that the results of the inspection will be revealed at the weekend.

As for the case file, the police stated that it should be completed within 30 days.

In another development, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr Charnchao Chaiyanukij, revealed that the ministry’s central committee will be calling a meeting today to begin executing the probe into the death of Thawatchai without having to wait for the official findings of the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Police General Hospital which is performing the autopsy.

Experts who have been assigned the task of examining photographs taken during the autopsy, meanwhile, have determined that the amount of internal bleeding discovered in the victim’s stomach amounted to only 500 cc.

In a related development, Pol. Gen Vajaraphol Prasarn-Ratchakij, chairman of the board of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, stated that Thawatchai Anukul was being investigated by the commission for two to three cases of dereliction of duty.

His death, however, means that further investigation into his conduct has been deemed unnecessary.

This however does not exclude his accomplices and coworkers from responsibility in the case as the investigation will now be targeting them directly.

Thai PBS

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