Seven months after they watched their sons plunge to their deaths during a skydiving demonstration, the fathers of two police cadets have been anonymously threatened for demanding justice for their sons.
Satorn Putthachaiyong, father of a 19-year-old police cadet who died during training on March 31, filed a police report yesterday after receiving a text message threatening harm if he didn’t drop the matter, which had implicated a number of influential figures before becoming “stalled.”
“It’s an accident, understand?” the text said. “Jarumporn cannot watch out for your head. He’s retired. Back off before you get hurt.”
The message referred to police Gen. Jarumporn Suramanee, who had aggressively pursued an investigation of the incident but recently retired as a Royal Thai Police adviser. His investigation into the deaths of Chayakorn Putthachaiyong and Nathawuth Tirasuwannasuk, 21, blamed the young men’s deaths on negligence.
It found poorly maintained equipment caused the cadets’ to fail. They died instantly in front of their families, who were present to witness the exercise in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Satorn said he received the text Friday but did not read it until Sunday night. The message suggested he back off from a lawsuit against those responsible for the fatal accident.
Satorn also contacted the father of Natawuth Tirasuannasuk, Jaturong Tirasuwannasuk, who said he also received a similar text message that he took to police.
After receiving the text, Satorn contacted the officers handling the case only to find out it has not yet been sent to prosecutors. He was told the case was languishing due to one suspect’s “missing fingerprints.”
“The case has 11 suspects, including influential soldiers and police officers,” Satorn said. “I’m quite scared, but I don’t know what to do. Now I just have to take care of myself and won’t leave the house unnecessarily.”
According to Manager, there are 11 suspects implicated in the incident who could be charged with unintentionally causing the cadets’ deaths.
Those include seven officers from Thai Aviation Industries, the government-owned purchaser, one officer from Thai Airways responsible for maintenance and repair, and three from Police Aviation Division. All of the suspects have denied responsibility.
Photo: State Media
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