A former police chief is accused of shielding a Red Bull scion from prosecution.
Thailand’s prosecutors have announced their intention to indict a former national police chief on allegations that he obstructed the prosecution of a Red Bull energy drink heir who was charged with the 2012 hit-and-run death of a Bangkok police officer.
Bangkok — On Tuesday, Thai prosecutors announced that they would indict a former national police chief on allegations of obstructing the prosecution of a Red Bull energy drink heir who was charged with the 2012 hit-and-run death of a Bangkok police officer.
A number of public servants and law enforcement personnel have been charged with a plot to assist Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya in evading prosecution by leaving Thailand. This case is commonly cited as an illustration of how the wealthy and well-connected in Thailand can get away with murder.
Vorayuth is the grandson of Chaleo Yoovidhya, a co-founder of the well-known Red Bull company worldwide. The family is estimated to be worth $20 billion by Forbes magazine.
In order to help someone avoid prosecution, Somyot Poompanmoung, the police chief in 2014–15, and other suspects were accused of abusing their authority. The National Anti-Corruption Commission charged Somyot with tampering with evidence last year after he changed the speed record of the vehicle Vorayuth was allegedly driving.
the National Anti-Corruption Commission last year of being involved in the falsification of evidence by changing the vehicle’s speed log, which purportedly showed Vorayuth’s speed at the time of the collision.
In connection with the case, the Office of the Attorney General announced that it will indict seven additional individuals, including police officers, a lawyer, an engineering specialist, and a former deputy attorney general.
On a busy road in Bangkok, Vorayuth was allegedly driving a Ferrari when it collided with the rear of a traffic policeman’s motorbike. Wichean Klunprasert, the officer, was thrown from his motorbike and passed away there. The vehicle drove off, but police found the Yoovidhya family’s opulent compound by following a trail of brake fluid and oil.
compound on a side street close by.
According to Wichean’s family, the Yoovidhya family paid them 3 million baht ($83,000) in exchange for them not pursuing additional legal action, as reported by Thai media.
Vorayuth avoided the courts for years by failing to appear for meetings with the prosecutors. A few days after his departure from Thailand in 2017, a warrant was finally issued against him. Later, his Thai passport was cancelled. In the meantime, the statute of limitations has rendered nearly all of the accusations against him moot. The final charge, which is driving recklessly and causing death, will run out in 2027.
Despite the legal threats he faces, such as an Interpol Red Notice, Vorayuth has led an active international life, taking part in activities such as attending Formula One races in private Red Bull jets, snowboarding in Japan, and cruising in Venice. His continued jet-set lifestyle, when exposed by an Associated Press investigation, incited a great deal of public outrage.
We don’t know where he is right now.
