'Mor Yong' dies in custody

HIGH-PROFILE fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, better known as Mor Yong, has become the second suspect in a high-profile lese-majeste case to die in custody.
Suriyan, 53, was pronounced dead at the Correctional Hospital on Saturday night.
“He died of respiratory and blood-circulation failures, which were the result of a blood infection,” the Corrections Department said yesterday.
Suriyan’s family has said it does not suspect foul play, the department said. After collecting his body on Sunday, the family organised funeral rites for him.
Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said authorities concerned would need to clarify what had happened to clear any lingering doubt about Suriyan’s death.
“He had some health problems before he was put under detention. He also came under huge stress and pressure after his case made headlines,” the justice minister said.
Suriyan, his secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp and Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapha, who had worked at the Technology Crime Suppression Division, were arrested last month on suspicion that they falsely cited the Royal family to demand sponsorships and bribes.
Prakrom committed suicide on October 23 while locked up at a detention centre inside a military camp in Dusit district, Bangkok.
Before his arrest, Suriyan had served as an adviser to a subcommittee responsible for public relations for the “Bike for Mom” cycling event on August 16, as well as the “Bike for Dad” event scheduled for December 11. He also took part in many charity events. Police said all three suspects had confessed.
Vitaya Suriyawong, director general of the Corrections Department, said X-ray results on October 22 showed Suriyan had a fatty liver problem. He said doctors had explained that some virulent viruses could strike hard particularly at people who had a weak immunity, and could quickly cause death.
Vitaya said nurses at the detention centre had prescribed basic medicines for Suriyan since November 5 because he had a high fever, a cough and restlessness.
“On the night of November 7, an on-duty official checked on him at about 9pm by calling his name from outside the cell but he did not respond. He appeared to have short breath. He then was rushed out of the cell to the Correctional Hospital in Chatuchak district. He arrived there at 10.20pm,” Vitaya said. Emergency room staff gave him advanced CPR for an hour but to no avail.
Suriyan had been one of the country’s top astrologers. His Facebook page said he was born Suriyan Ariyawongsopon in Trang province but changed his name in 2008 after the family name was bestowed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
He wrote that when he was young, he was hit by a car and knocked unconscious. During those several days when he was unconscious, he claimed he had many visions that helped him become an astrologer when he grew up. He became famous as an astrologer after he graduated from university. His clientele included celebrities and famous figures from both Thailand and overseas.
Suriyan’s secretary, Jirawong, is now the only suspect in the case still in custody.
Meanwhile the Justice Minister said he had not received any report on Jirawong’s health. “I also can’t say whether he will be transferred to the Bangkok Remand Prison.”
Sukkho Tarmseree, who is close to Prakrom, is also in detention but faces a charge of unauthorised possession of weapons. He faces a Criminal Court trial.
The Bangkok Military Court yesterday afternoon approved arrest warrants for Jirawong and Colonel Kachachart Boondee on charges that they offended the monarchy based on a complaint filed by Maj-General Wijarn Jodtaeng, a legal chief of the National Council for Peace and Order on Saturday.
Jirawong and Kachachart, along with Suriyan, allegedly claimed they sought sponsorships for the Royal family when meeting representatives of two big companies earlier this year, according to the latest complaint.
The court will no longer take legal action against Suriyan because he is dead.
Deputy police spokesman Maj-General Piyaphan Pingmuang said there was no record that Kachachart, an officer in the Third Army, had fled abroad. Unconfirmed reports claimed that he already fled to Myanmar with millions of cash. Inquiries were being made into whether Kachachart was linked to irregularities at Rajabhakti Park.