Doubts about death of famous fortune teller 'Mor Yong'
There has been a commotion in Thailand over the death of the famous fortune teller Suriyan Sujaritpalawong (see photo), known in Thailand as 'Mor Yong'. The man was a popular fortune teller among the wealthy in Thailand.
He died in prison on Saturday after being arrested two weeks ago with two others for allegedly insulting the royal family. According to the Ministry of Justice, he died of a blood infection in the military prison. In Thailand, the cause of death mentioned by the prison is in doubt. An autopsy was performed on Sunday by the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital.
Three people, including 'Mor Yong', allegedly extorted sponsors of the Bike for Mom and Bike for Dad bicycle tours. They would have used the name of the royal family. On October 24, one of the suspects, a police officer, was found dead in his cell. He would have hanged himself by his shirt. Only Jirawong Watthanathewasilp, described as the soothsayer's adviser, is still alive.
Deputy Police Commissioner Srivara, who is leading the investigation into the lèse-majesté and extortion case, has indications that there are fifty other co-defendants. This includes two senior army officers. One of them, a colonel, is said to have fled to Myanmar. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit said when asked that he was not aware of this. Police spokesman Prawut, who has been relieved of his duties, may also be involved in the case.
Source: Bangkok Post
This is a case that once again shows the dark side of Thailand. No one knows exactly what is going on, so there is intense speculation on Thai social media. And there is also anger and aversion to what happened. I can't say anything about it here either because it has to do with the royal family and the succession to the throne.
I can make a few additions. A few days before the arrest of the above three, another army officer, Pisitsak Seniwong na Ayutthaya, committed suicide. The official press does not (are not allowed to) report this. So there are three dead. (And a refugee). All three persons mentioned were cremated on the same day, or immediately the next day, of the death, a very strange thing for Thailand.
Mor Yong, the fortune teller, is said to have died of blood poisoning (sepsis). I have read about the complaints and symptoms he suffered from in the few days before his death. That image does not fit with a blood poisoning, although it is not completely impossible. The diagnosis of septicemia is only certain if bacteria are cultured from the blood and other organs. That takes 4-7 days. It is therefore impossible for a doctor to claim with certainty that it was blood poisoning. He can only suspect it and on what grounds is not clear.
A cynical comment on social media was: 'In Thailand you have to watch out for blood poisoning!'