Former prosecutor files lawsuit in Red Bull hit-and-run case

A former senior prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) filed a lawsuit against Police Colonel Thanasit Taengchan, a former forensic officer for the infamous 2012 hit-and-run incident involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, also known as Boss.

Chainarong, accompanied by his lawyer Paisan Chuarphon, lodged the lawsuit at Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday. The case accuses Pol. Col. Thanasit, who was part of the forensic team at the 2012 accident scene, later altered his statement, thereby reducing the recorded speed of Vorayuth’s Ferrari from 177 to 79 kilometres per hour.

According to Paisan, Pol. Col. Thanasit incorrectly implicated Chainarong in a group that was accused of forging documents, tampering with evidence, and altering audio records. The misleading information purportedly convinced the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Prosecutors Commission (PPC), and an independent panel led by Vicha Mahakun of Chainarong’s involvement in evidence tampering regarding the notorious hit-and-run case. As a result, the PPC dismissed Chainarong in December of the previous year.

Paisan attributed the timing of the lawsuit filing to the need for a thorough collection of evidence against Pol Col Thanasit. Chainarong will continue to seek more evidence to identify further accomplices.

Vorayuth has been evading authorities since his Ferrari was involved in a fatal collision with a Thong Lor police officer on September 3, 2012. Several charges against him were dismissed after their respective statutes of limitations elapsed. These include a speeding charge that expired in 2013 and a charge for failing to assist a crash victim that expired in 2017.

A sole remaining charge of reckless driving causing death, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, has a 15-year statute of limitations and will expire in 2027.

Earlier this year, on February 27, the attorney-general prosecuted former national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung and seven others, including Chainarong and Nate Naksuk, a former deputy attorney general. They were indicted for their alleged efforts to exonerate Vorayuth, reported Bangkok Post.

The indictment followed a recommendation from the NACC, aligning with the findings of an investigation committee led by former graft-buster Vicha. The panel was established by the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha administration in response to public outcry over Nate’s decision to drop the charges against Vorayuth in 2020.