Thai PM probes dropping of Red Bull heir hit-&-run case

Public anger over the case.

Belmont Lay | July 30, 2020, 05:46 PM

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on July 29 that his government would look into a deadly 2012 hit-and-run linked to the Red Bull heir amid public anger over the dropping of charges against him.

The announcement from the head of the executive arm of the government came after justice did not appear to have prevailed.

The Office of the Attorney-General and the national police had dropped criminal charges against Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya in June 2020 without reason.

Public outrage ensued as someone from Thailand's rich and well-connected circle went unpunished.

Committee formed

Prayuth said a committee had been formed to look at what led to the case being dropped.

The committee has 30 days to complete its task.

Prayuth said: "This case is of great interest to the people and society so we must find the truth to see where the problems are."

"We must fix these problems to ensure justice in Thai society without dividing it along social class lines," he said.

However, the prime minister also said the committee would not interfere in the work of the attorney-general, police and court.

The Office of the Attorney-General and police said they were also looking into what led to the case being dropped.

Background

Vorayuth had missed eight summonses to appear in court.

He is wanted for the killing of policeman Wichien Klanprasert, whose body was dragged for dozens of metres under a Ferrari sports car owned by Vorayuth, who was 27 at the time.

Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest five years after the incident.

Vorayuth later left the country.

His current whereabouts is unknown.

Vorayuth had been accused of fleeing the scene of the crash.

A family driver initially tried to take the blame, but was later charged with giving a false statement to police.

Police have said the old case against Vorayuth had officially ended and could only be relaunched if relatives of the victim filed the case directly to a court, or if there were new witnesses or evidence.

In 2012, the billionaire family paid the deceased officer's siblings about US$97,000 in a deal aimed at avoiding a civil lawsuit.

The payment, however, does not protect Vorayuth from criminal charges of causing death by reckless driving and fleeing to avoid arrest.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years' in jail and a fine of 20,000 baht (S$875).

Top photo via Kremlin & Daily Mail