The father of one of the two police cadets killed during a parachute training jump on March 31 filed a police complaint on Sunday after receiving a text message from an unidentified person threatening to harm him.
Sathon Phutthachaiyong, the father of one of the two police cadets killed during the March 31 parachute training accident, shows a text message on his mobile phone which warns him to back off from a lawsuit against those involved in the fatal jump. (Photo by Saichon Srinuanjan)
The complaint was filed by Sathon Phutthachaiyong, the father of Chayakorn Putthachaiyong, 19, who died during a parachute exercise at Naresuan camp in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district. Pol Lt Paisarn Suwannasook, an investigator at Photharam police station in Ratchaburi province, received the complaint.
In August, Mr Sathon vowed to take legal action against a company responsible for repairing a part of the cable used in the training camp.
Mr Sathon said the message was sent to his phone at 2.57pm on Friday but he was busy and did not read it until 8pm that day. He then told a senior police officer about the threat and was advised to lodge a complaint with the police.
The text message was sent in Thai which could be translated in English as: “It’s an accident do you understand? Jarumporn can’t protect you because he has retired. You better stop before you get hurt.”
The unidentified sender was referring to Pol Gen Jarumporn Suramanee who has just retired as a Royal Thai Police adviser. He led the investigation into the fatal parachute jump in which 11 people have been charged over the deaths of Chayakorn and another police cadet, 21-year-old Nathawuth Tirasuwannasuk.
After receiving the intimidating message, Mr Sathon called Nathawuth’s father, Jaturong, who lives in Nakhon Pathom province and was told that he had received a similar text message. Mr Jaturong has also filed a complaint with the police, Mr Sathon said.
The father said he would try to stay home for the time being while waiting to see what protection the police provide him with.
Police in charge of the case say they had yet to submit an investigation report to prosecutors to seek indictments as they do not have the fingerprints of one of the 11 accused who include several military officers with the rank of air chief marshal and policemen with the rank of colonel.