Crime

Red Bull heir gets away with murder, anti-corruption officials say police neglected their duties

Published

Friday, June 26, 2020 14:18

PHOTO: abc.net.au

Nothing has been done to Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya who crashed his Ferrari into an officer and killing him back in 2012 and then speeding off. Now anti-corruption officials are saying that officers investigating the fatal hit-and-run accident neglected to fulfil their duties.

An investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission found intention to exempt Yoovidhya from prosecution on charges of of drug abuse and speeding. Forensic police say he was driving 177 kilometres per hour when he hit the officer on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road. The officer’s body was dragged under the car before Yoovidhya sped off.

His hearing was delayed 7 times, and in 2017 he was charged with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim. He fled on a private plane just 2 days before he was supposed to face the charges. He’s been on the run since, but has been seen at public sporting events and other places overseas. including being photographed in London. The media have been able to find him but not, it appears, the Thai police. While his charges of speeding and failing to stop and help a crash victim have expired, the charge for reckless driving causing death does not expire until 2027.

A number of officers could face disciplinary action. The NACC is handing over their findings to the the officers’ supervisors. The NACC investigation found chief interrogator at Thong Lor Police Wiradol Thabthimdee accountable for “mild malfeasance”. NACC says 4 officers failed to seek an arrest warrant… Wiradol, along with former chief of the station Chumphol Phumphuang as well as the station’s interrogators Samrit Ketyam and Wibul Thinwatanakul.

The NACC says 3 officers failed to guarantee a thorough investigation and interrogation in the case. The former commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 5 Krit Piakaew and the division’s former deputy commanders Sukhun Phrommai and Tramet Uthai.

Yoovidhya was 27 at the time of the accident. His family co-owns the energy drink brand Red Bull and he is the son of Chalerm Yoovidhya who ranks second on Thailand’s rich list with a net worth of US$20 billion.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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7 Comments

Sam Thompson

Friday, June 26, 2020 at 2:24 pm

A national disgrace

Reply
ken jones

Friday, June 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm

I have followed this case since the incident. Again Thailand is about as corrupt as a nation can be flying under the pathetic mirage of a country of democracy with a mirage of a deceptive Constituional court and Parliment! Its pathetic and deceptive. If the “:Trinity would just come out and say what we do is in our best interest not the poverty stricken family who sends with glee their daughters to sell their bodies in Thailand it would be okay. Because it would be forthright and then people could make their own decisions about if they want to stay in this corrupt country a d it’s hierarchy. The question a person must asked is how many times since the 1970’s has a duly elected party and it’s leaders been exiled on coruption. The only coruption in Thailand is the Trinity and one part of the Trinity is the Police. Its sickeng and pathetic.

Reply
Toby Andrews

Friday, June 26, 2020 at 6:01 pm

Well the remedy is clear.
The accused police can still arrest him, and also charge him with fleeing justice.
If they do not, they are corrupt, if they do all is forgiven.
However I suspect they will not arrest him and still all will be forgiven. It is what is expected in Thailand.

Reply
Ron

Friday, June 26, 2020 at 6:54 pm

A lot of brown envelopes being passed out on this case. Too many HiSo’s running the country.

Reply
Aswin

Friday, June 26, 2020 at 7:47 pm

justice delayed is justice denied.
lock him up.

Reply
- David kay
  
  Monday, June 29, 2020 at 5:14 am
  
  I as many others know exactly where this guy is,unfortunately the thai police are so corrupt ,especially Thong lor,know as one of the worst, obviously have been paid not to find him,thai justice, joke of the century.
  
  Reply
danum

Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 11:43 am

i feel so sorry for the officers family. but this kind of justice exists most anywhere. we just have to stomach it.

Reply

Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

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