Bang Khun Non Police Hold Press Briefing on Detainee's Death in Custody, Denying Media Misinformation
A drug suspect died by hanging in a Bang Khun Non police detention cell on April 20, with authorities denying misinformation and confirming the death was suicide after reviewing live CCTV footage.
On April 24, 2569 at 5:00 PM, Pol. Col. Udom Tangsema, Commander of Bang Khun Non Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Siwit Kaewplang, Deputy Commander (Investigation), and Mr. Anumsorn Rakkhwanjit, a CCTV technician from J.R. Office Automation, held a press briefing to address the family's questions regarding the death of a drug suspect who hanged himself in the detention cell.
According to Pol. Col. Udom, on April 19, 2569 at 11:28 PM, Bang Khok Noi Police arrested a drug suspect with 0.90 and 0.80 grams of methamphetamine in two bags. Since the Bang Khok Noi holding cell was under renovation, the suspect was transferred to Bang Khun Non Police Station at 11:50 PM.
On April 20 at 5:00 AM, officers reviewing CCTV footage discovered the suspect sitting unusually still against the cell door. Upon investigation, they found the suspect had used his own long-sleeved shirt to hang himself from the cell bars. Officers immediately called for emergency responders and performed CPR until paramedics arrived within less than five minutes. The suspect was rushed to Siriraj Hospital but was pronounced dead.
Police explained that they immediately checked the CCTV after the incident, fearing family misunderstanding. However, they discovered the CCTV adapter was broken, meaning only live footage could be reviewed, not recordings. This malfunction was discovered on the day of the incident. Police have clarified all facts with the family, who did not initially dispute the cause of death.
Regarding the family's concern about whether the suspect used a shirt or pants, police clarified it was definitely a long-sleeved shirt, which the family visually confirmed. Regarding the absence of bruising on the body and the tongue not protruding from the mouth, authorities explained these are medically consistent with hanging cases and that the soft fabric would not leave visible marks. Since the cell was constantly monitored and no one could enter, there was no possibility of police involvement in the death. Bang Khun Non Police Station had no prior involvement with the suspect and no history of problems with him.
