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NACC lays 'light' blame on police for Red Bull scion's escape


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The National Anti-Corruption Commission has found police guilty of dereliction of duty in their lenient handling of the fatal hit-and-run case against fugitive Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya.

Mr Vorayuth, who has been seen at public sporting events and elsewhere overseas, is accused of been driving when his Ferrari hit and killed a motorcycle policeman in the early morning of Sept 3, 2012 on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok.

An NACC investigation found intention to exempt Mr Vorayuth, now aged 35, from prosecution on charges of drug abuse and speeding. Forensic police concluded he had been driving at 177 kilometres per hour.

The commission found negligence on the part of  Pol Lt Col Wiradol Thabthimdee, chief interrogator at Thong Lor police station, and held him accountable for mild malfeasance - a light disciplinary offence.

For failing to seek a warrant for the arrest of Mr Vorayuth, the NACC ruled it was a light disciplinary violation on the part of Pol Lt Col Wiradol, Pol Col Chumphol Phumphuang, former chief of the Thong Lor police station, and the station's interrogators, Pol Col Samrit Ketyam and Pol Lt Col Wibul Thinwatanakul.

NACC also found light disciplinary violations by Pol Maj Gen Krit Piakaew, former commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 5, and former deputy commanders of the division Pol Col Sukhun Phrommai and Pol Col Tramet Uthai, for failing to guarantee a thorough investigation and interrogation in the case.

NACC will send its findings to the officers' supervisors, who will decided on disciplinary action.

Mr Vorayuth, then 27, is accused driving his black Ferrari when it hit the rear of a policeman's motorcycle  at high speed, and dragging his body along Sukhumvit Road before speeding away. The victim was Pol Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, 47, who was based at Thong Lor police station.

Mr Vorayuth delayed hearing the charges seven times. It was not until April 27, 2017, that prosecutors finally charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim.

The NACC also found light disciplinary violations by Pol Maj Gen Krit Piakaew, former commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 5, and former deputy commanders of the division Pol Col Sukhun Phrommai and Pol Col Tramet Uthai, for failing to guarantee a thorough investigation and interrogation in the case.

The NACC will send its findings to the officers' supervisors, who will decided on disciplinary action.

Mr Vorayuth, then 27, is accused driving his black Ferrari when it hit the rear of a policeman's motorcycle  at high speed, and dragging the policeman's body along Sukhumvit Road before speeding away. The victim was Pol Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, 47, who was based at Thong Lor police station.

Mr Vorayuth delayed hearing the charges seven times. It was not until April 27, 2017, that prosecutors finally charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim.

He fled on a private plane two days before he was due to face the charges.

The speeding charge was later dropped when the one-year statute of limitation expired. A second charge - failing to stop and help a crash victim - expired on Sept 3, 2017.

The third and most serious charge, reckless driving causing death, remains on the books until 2027.

Mr Vorayuth, whose nickname, is Boss is the son of Chalerm Yoovidhya whose family co-owns the energy drink megabrand Red Bull and ranks second on Thailand's richest list with net worth estimated at US$20 billion (about 617 billion baht).

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1941492/nacc-lays-light-blame-on-police-for-red-bull-scions-escape

 

It's all right, since everything was "light".   :banghead:

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  • 4 weeks later...

Thailand drops charges against Red Bull heir in deadly hit-and-run

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Criminal charges in Thailand have been dropped against the heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune who was accused in a 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer, police said on Friday.

Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya had faced charges of speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving causing death.

An arrest warrant has also been withdrawn, said Thanawut Sanguansuk, deputy head of Thonglor police station, told Reuters.

Vorayuth was accused of crashing his black Ferrari into a policeman on a motorcycle in Bangkok and fleeing the scene, dragging the officer’s body for several dozen metres.

Thai authorities finally issued an arrest warrant for Vorayuth five years after the accident, after he missed eight legal summons.

Vorayuth is a grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, creator of the Krating Daeng, or Red Bull, energy drink.

Chaleo, 88, was listed as the third richest person in Thailand at the time of his death in 2012, with an estimated net worth of $5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat. Writing by Orathai Sriring, Editing by Franklin Paul and Elaine Hardcastle)

Via ThaiVisa and

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