Bangkok: The DSI Director-General revealed that the Tangmo case is still under investigation, seeking the facts as requested by the petitioners. It has not yet reached the stage of being a special case. If government officials are found to be involved, they must be sent to the NACC. The investigation team is preparing to hold its first meeting tomorrow (24 Jan).
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), gave an interview about the approval to investigate the death of Ms. Pattaratida or Nida Patcharaveerapong, also known as Tangmo, under the authority of the Director-General of the DSI. He explained that the current process is focused on approving the investigation, allowing authorities to search for facts and gather initial evidence to understand the details of the petition. The investigation aims to identify the facts surrounding the case, and if the offense involves a government official, it must be referred to the NACC within 30 days of the accusation.
The Director-General emphasized that investigation and inquiry involve different steps. The investigation process seeks facts and initial evidence to uncover details of the alleged crime, such as who was involved and the nature of the offense. In contrast, inquiry focuses on collecting evidence to bring the perpetrator to justice. At this stage, the DSI accepts the complaint and authorizes officers to gather facts and evidence to determine the appropriate course of action.
The law allows for an investigation period of up to 6 months, with the possibility of extension. The DSI investigation team is scheduled to hold their first meeting on this case tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.