Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears
A major corruption case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya reaches its climax today, April 22. The court will deliver a verdict on allegations of evidence tampering in the 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer.
The case, number 131/2024, sees former Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, and Net Naksuk, the former Deputy Public Prosecutor-General, among the key defendants.
Along with them, eight others, including senior police and legal figures, face charges related to the falsification of evidence in a case that shocked Thailand.
The lawsuit, filed by the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Office of Corruption Suppression 1, stems from an incident that occurred on September 3, 2012, in which the heir to the Red Bull empire, Vorayuth, struck and killed police officer Police Lieutenant Wichian Klanprasit while speeding in a luxury sports car.
The defendants are accused of altering evidence related to the vehicle’s speed, which led to a court ruling that overturned a decision to prosecute Vorayuth.
The case, which initially appeared to be a straightforward hit-and-run, became even more controversial when evidence was tampered with, sparking public outrage.
The defendant list also includes key figures from the police and prosecution, such as Police Major General Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk, Police Colonel Wiradol Thapthimdee, and several other former law enforcement and legal officials.
The eight accused have all been granted bail of 200,000 baht each and are required to appear in court today for the verdict. The outcome of this case is highly anticipated, with many in Thailand awaiting justice for the family of the slain officer, as well as accountability for the powerful figures accused of tampering with the investigation, reported Daily News.
In similar news, tragedy struck a quiet village in Suphan Buri when a 13 year old boy was killed in a hit-and-run, and now his grieving family cannot afford to bury him.
Latest Thailand News
Follow The Thaiger on Google News:
