Bangkok: The team investigating the 'Tangmo' case has announced that they will not align with the 'Tae-Mongkolkit' team, citing differing objectives and methodologies. They plan to send Tangmo's mobile phone to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) tonight, while the DSI is set to reenact the incident of Tangmo falling off the boat on February 17, 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Panthep Puaphongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, discussed the case involving Bang Jack, who was entrusted with Tangmo's mobile phone three years ago. After retrieving deleted files, including photos and videos, Bang Jack handed over the phone to the DSI for inspection. This move came after the police initially returned the phone, only to discover later that the data had been erased. The investigation revealed suspicious consistencies when verifying the phone's coordinates against the ship's GPS. Bang Jack collaborated by handing the phone to Mr. Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, President of the Crime Victim Assistance Association, with the data being filtered through Dr. Thawatchai Kanchanarin.
Dr. Thawatchai used personal funds to travel to the United States to collect the phone from Bang Jack. The phone, sealed in a bag, will be handed over to the SI officers upon Bang Jack's arrival in Thailand tonight. Dr. Thawatchai has confirmed that he did not tamper with the phone.
Professor Panthep released two video clips earlier this month, reportedly found on Tangmo's phone, dated February 24, 2022, at 10:19 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. These clips, taken on land, contradict the testimonies from the boat's passengers. It is believed that attempts were made to discredit Bang Jack to invalidate the evidence. Investigations traced the fake accounts disseminating this information back to the same network.
Mr. Atchariya confirmed receiving CCTV footage from Mr. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, former leader of the Thai Si Wilai Party, three years ago, though he never used it in court. Differences in approaches and goals have prevented collaboration between Mr. Atchariya and Mr. Mongkolkit, despite ongoing discussions about the investigation's timeline.
Further revelations from Mr. Atchariya indicated political involvement in the Tangmo case, with significant figures allegedly assisting those on the boat. High-level politicians were reportedly in contact with the people on the boat during the incident. This politician is currently cooperating with the investigation.
At a press conference, Professor Panthep presented two new photos and video clips, while Mr. Atchariya displayed an image from Tangmo's phone showing a hand near white powder and a plastic tube. The DSI is scheduled to reenact the boat incident on February 17, 2025, using a similar boat engine as part of the evidence collection process.