Bangkok: Police are preparing to summon Mr. A, identified as the individual who sent cyanide to journalist Nattawut Ponglangka, known as Natpong, for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into the journalist's death. The authorities have not ruled out any potential explanations for the incident.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Major General Atthaphon Anusit, deputy commander and spokesman for the Provincial Police Region 1, provided an update following autopsy results that confirmed the presence of cyanide in Natpong's system. The police have interviewed four witnesses who were at the scene and a friend who discovered the body. While their statements align with the event timeline, there are lingering suspicions concerning toxic substances found at the location. The site has been secured, and relatives are expected to allow police to inspect the house on December 11th.
The investigation has revealed that a month prior to his death, Mr. Nattawut expressed suicidal intentions and had prepared cyanide. Despite this, the cause of his suicide remains undisclosed. Investigators have been informed of cyanide packets found in his residence. Mr. A, who allegedly delivered the cyanide to the deceased, will be summoned to provide a statement.
Suspicion surrounding the death prompted a close associate to separate the cyanide into envelopes for official examination. Initial tests confirmed that Mr. Nattawut's body contained a lethal dose of the substance. Investigators have been examining the scene from the onset, but the toxic nature of the death was not immediately apparent. Some investigators who entered the scene were unaware of the cyanide's presence, despite having documented the site and collaborated with relatives for identification.
The police are also reaching out to another key witness and the forensic doctor involved in the autopsy for further questioning. The full conclusion regarding the circumstances of the death will be drawn after all testimonies are collected.
Police and forensic officers have reviewed Mr. Nattawut's mobile phone data and chat conversations but have withheld this information from public disclosure. Matters concerning his will and car are deemed irrelevant at this stage, pending further details from relatives. CCTV footage indicates that witnesses did not promptly assist Mr. Nattawut due to a misunderstanding of his actions, following a recent argument. Once his condition deteriorated, they contacted a friend for help. It is confirmed that Mr. Nattawut did not explicitly communicate his intention to ingest the medication.