Law enforcement initially accepted the claim that an employee had been driving, but Vorayuth became the main believe and his family afterwards paid the victim’s relatives US$100, 500 compensation, according to the BBC and New York Moments.
Meant for five years, Vorayuth played a game associated with cat and computer mouse ducking court summonses – claiming through lawyers he has been overseas on company or ill – while photographs recorded a globetrotting lifestyle: Living it up working in london, attending Red Half truths racing events, or even going off on beach holidays and ski trips.
Charges of speeding, drunk driving and faltering to render support expired, before a Bangkok court belatedly issued an arrest warrant in 2017.
By then, Vorayuth had already fled.
In 2020, the Thai authorities dropped all fees against Vorayuth, triggering a huge public outcry – including the social media campaign to #BoycottRedBull.
Amid the backlash, TCP Group – Red-colored Bull Thailand’s parent company – distanced the firm from your case, saying the issue was a private matter.
As fury mounted, and with youth-led anti-government demonstrations expanding in the streets, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha’s office ordered an overview, which concluded the whole investigation had been “compromised”.
Rights campaigners contrasted the foot-dragging in the Vorayuth situation with the swift action meted out to anti-government protest leaders, many of whom were hit with multiple regal defamation charges, which usually carry a jail term of up to 15 years.
Thailand’s Attorney General’s Office announced fresh charges against Vorayuth and, in September 2020, Interpol issued a Red Notice intended for his arrest.
An updated edition from March last year said Vorayuth experienced made an attempt to gain access to the Red Observe and was probably around France at that time.
The discover also cited Luxembourg – where Red-colored Bull has the headquarters – as a possible location.
A SINGLE CHARGE LEFT
Last month, the charge of using cocaine expired, Thailand’s Attorney General’s workplace said, leaving just one avenue for prosecutors to pursue towards Vorayuth: Reckless traveling causing death, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term.
The AG’s workplace told AFP that this charge is valid until 2027. Few, however , expect Vorayuth to face the courts.
“Even from the beginning, a lot of people expected exactly how it would end, ” Pavin said, noting intense public rage around the case.
“Rich people getting away with crime has become so normalised in Thai society. Thai people don’t accept that it’s OKAY. ”