NONTHABURI, Thailand – Thai boyband star Tae found dead in the Chao Phraya river with a 10kg stone in his backpack. His family insists he would never kill himself.
Thaman Taepun, 46, known as Tae from Dragon 5, vanished on August 6 after leaving home at 4am on a cream-coloured bike. His body was pulled from the water near the Rama VII Bridge the next day.
Left home at dawn, never returned
Tae left his house in cycling clothes with a black backpack but no mobile phone. His girlfriend Walaiphan Srinaphaphan filed a missing person report with Bang Kruai police that same day.
The family also put out a social media appeal asking for help finding him. He was last seen turning toward the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand office at the Rama VII Bridge.
Body found near Rama VII Bridge
On August 7 around 3pm, rescue teams spotted a male body floating in the water near the bridge in Nonthaburi province. Specialist water rescue crews pulled him ashore.
Police estimate he had been in the water for roughly 24 hours — meaning he likely died on August 6. The body wore a short-sleeved sports shirt, black shorts, and a black backpack. A tattoo of the number 8 was visible on his right wrist.
The clothing matched the missing person report. Rescue workers and relatives identified him as Thaman Taepun.
Ten-kilogram concrete block in backpack
What investigators found in the rucksack raises questions: a concrete base used as a stand weight for umbrellas and a brick — together about ten kilograms. No external injuries were found on the body.
Police have sent the corpse for a detailed autopsy. An official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Bandmate: He always planned everything
Andy Khemphimuk, a singer, actor, DJ, and long-time member of Dragon 5, came personally to the scene. He had seen Tae about a month earlier, and Tae had confided personal worries to him.
He is a person who plans everything. If he does something, he has thought it through beforehand.
said Andy Khemphimuk, bandmate.
Shortly before his disappearance, Tae had shared a video of Dragon 5 songs in the group’s chat and indicated he wanted to perform with the band again.
Mother: He wanted to be a monk
Thaman’s mother said her son was preparing to be ordained as a monk at Wat Sangkathan shortly before his death. He had already collected the necessary documents from the temple, though a date had not been set. He meditated there regularly.
The family has doubts that Tae took his own life. Relatives told police they could not imagine it given his concrete future plans. Investigators have questioned family members. The circumstances of his death remain unclear.