Probe into death of suspect

INVESTIGATIONS have been launched into the cause of death of a former land official following questions over his reported suicide during detention by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

New evidence has emerged that might contradict the initial DSI suggestion that he hanged himself with a pair of socks in his cell.

Tawatchai Anukul had been detained by the DSI over allegations that he had illegally issued land title deeds worth more than Bt10 billion.

Mongkutwattana General Hospital director Rienthong Nanna said yesterday that on receiving a call from the DSI, the hospital had sent an emergency medical team to the DSI headquarters early on August 30. The team found Tawatchai, 66, in critical condition. 

Responding to reports that a preliminary autopsy showed Tawatchai had died of asphyxiation and a ruptured liver, Rienthong clarified: “Our team resuscitated him. But definitely the resuscitations did not deprive him of oxygen. Neither did the resuscitation efforts rupture his liver nor cause bleeding in his abdominal cavity.”

Hospital director Rienthong said DSI officials did not indicate in any way that the suspect had hanged himself. However, he said, medical workers had noticed pressure marks around Tawatchai’s neck and that his clothes were not torn. 

Meanwhile, a member of the emergency medical team said that day that while cardiopulmonary resuscitation might break ribs, it cannot kill the patient. 

Pol Maj-General Dr Pornchai Suteerakune, the director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, said a detailed autopsy was now being carried out to determine Tawatchai’s cause of death. 

“If DNA tests show tissue in his nails belonging to others, we will get a crucial piece of evidence,” Pornchai said. “If his blood shows contamination, we will know if he had been poisoned.”

The result of the autopsy is expected within a month. 

“National police commissioner Pol General Chaktip Chaijinda has already instructed local police to find out the exact cause of Tawatchai’s death to ensure justice to all sides and to clear lingering public doubts,” deputy police spokesman Pol Maj-General Piyapan Pingmuang said. 

He added that Tawatchai’s relatives could lodge a complaint with the Thung Song Hong Police Station if they suspected foul play. 

The station’s superintendent, Pol Colonel Mana Pohchuay, said police had already interrogated the DSI official who was watching over the detention cells at the time of Tawatchai’s death. 

“We will summon the two chiefs of the DSI detention cells as well as the medical team that was dispatched by the Mongkutwattana General Hospital to the scene that day,” Mana said. 

He added that police would interrogate Tawatchai’s relatives to determine whether he had mentioned any problem. 

Tawatchai’s younger brother Chainarong Anukul said he suspected foul play. He cancelled his brother’s scheduled cremation yesterday after the cause of Tawatchai’s death was questioned. 

DSI chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang said he had already assigned his deputy to investigate the case. 

“At this point, our probe can just confirm that a pair of linked socks were found tied to the door hinge of Tawatchai’s cell that day,” he said. 

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said it was necessary that an outside agency investigate Tawatchai’s death to clear public doubts. 

“If foul play is detected and any official is found involved, the guilty shall face the harshest punishment,” he said. 

Paiboon said he too had ordered an investigation into this case. “There’s no need to extort any confession from Tawatchai because there is so much solid evidence already,” he said. “If someone has silenced him, we will nail down the culprit.” 

Paiboon also vowed to look into other cases of illegal issuance of land title deeds to ensure all wrongdoers are brought to justice and ill-gotten gains are confiscated.