Military refuses to give timetable in investigation into cadet’s death

“Our investigation has to be comprehensive. While we are urgently looking into the case, we also have to pay attention to details and proceed carefully,” ACM Chawarat Marungruang, the committee’s chairman, said yesterday. “At this point, we can’t say when the investigation will conclude.”
He added that he would not try to please the public by concluding the probe quickly because he prioritised clear and honest answers about what happened to Pakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan, an 18-year-old first-year student at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) who died on October 17.
The case has generated considerable public controversy based on indications that the cadet may have been beaten and after an autopsy revealed that some of his internal organs had been removed. The military initially listed the cause of death as cardiac arrest.
Supreme Commander General Thanchaiyan Srisuwan ordered the investigation last week as Pakhapong’s family issued a public call for justice. 
The family claims that Pakhapong died in suspicious circumstances following an earlier incident in August when he was almost killed by punishment dispensed at the order of senior AFAPS students. 
Chawarat yesterday said his committee had already started interviewing witnesses and checking CCTV recordings. 
He also denied rumours that AFAPS students had been detained. 
“We have only summoned some students to provide information, where necessary,” he said.
“If the results show anyone has committed disciplinary offences, they will face punishment in line with prescribed procedures,” he said.
He added that his committee’s work was separate from the one launched by police. 
A source at the AFAPS said there were more than 1,000 students enrolled at the academy. 
“We have talked to them to promote good understanding. They have to keep on doing their duty,” the source said.