The crashed Ferrari, the dead policeman as well as a fugitive heir to a multibillion-dollar fortune — a decade on, Thailand is no closer to resolving one of its most notorious hit-and-run cases.
Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, princeling of the Red Bull energy drink family, can be accused of ploughing his sports car straight into police officer Wichean Glanprasert’s motorbike in Bangkok’s wealthiest neighbourhood a decade ago on Saturday.
After dodging prosecutors and finally fleeing Thailand on a personal jet in 2017, Vorayuth became emblematic of what critics say is the impunity enjoyed by the super-rich in the kingdom.
“The understanding of different justice techniques for different segments associated with society cripples individuals trust in the Thai state’s capacity to carry out its responsibility to guard human rights for all those Thai people, inch Amnesty International Thailand told AFP .
As the grandson of Red Half truths co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, who died in 2012, Vorayuth is portion of the clan with an estimated net worth associated with US$26. 4 billion (967. 8 billion baht) — making it Thailand’s second-richest family, according to Forbes .
“This family is not only powerful in Asia, but they are very powerful worldwide too, inch Thai political expert Pavin Chachavalpongpun through Kyoto University informed AFP .
Forensic law enforcement inspect a motorbike belonging to Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police train station and a Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the youngest child of Red Half truths executive Chalerm Yoovidhya, following the accident in September 2012. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
— Glamorous lifestyle :
Within hours of the crash, investigators implemented a trail of brake fluid towards the Yoovidhya family’s Bangkok compound, where they found a badly dented vehicle having a smashed windscreen.
Police at first accepted a claim that an employee was traveling, but Vorayuth grew to become the main suspect and his family later paid the victim’s family members US$100, 000 payment, according to the BBC and New York Times .
With regard to five years, Vorayuth played a game of cat and mouse ducking court summonses — claiming by means of lawyers he had been overseas on company or ill — while photographs documented a globetrotting way of living: living it up in London, attending Red Bull racing events, or even going off on beach holidays and ski trips.
Charges of speeding, drunk driving plus failing to render assistance expired, before a Bangkok courtroom belatedly issued an arrest warrant within 2017.
By then, Vorayuth acquired already fled.
In 2020, the Thai professionals dropped all fees against Vorayuth, triggering a huge public outcry — including a social media campaign in order to #BoycottRedBull.
Amid the backlash, TCP Group — Red Bull Thailand’s parent company — distanced the company from the case, saying the issue was a private matter.
As anger mounted, and with youth-led anti-government demonstrations growing within the streets, Prime Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Prayut Chan-o-cha’s workplace ordered a review, which usually concluded the entire investigation had been “compromised”.
Rights campaigners contrasted the foot-dragging in the Vorayuth case with the swift actions meted out to anti-government protest leaders, many of whom were hit with multiple royal defamation charges, which carry a prison term of up to 15 years.
The Office of the Lawyer General announced fresh new charges against Vorayuth and, in September 2020, Interpol released a Red Notice for his police arrest.
A good updated version from March last year mentioned Vorayuth had attemped to access the Crimson Notice and has been likely around France at the time.
The notice also cited Austria — where Red Bull has its head office — as a possible location.
– One charge left –
Last month, a charge of using cocaine expired , the Office from the Attorney General mentioned, leaving only one avenue for prosecutors to pursue against Vorayuth: reckless driving causing death, which has a maximum 10-year jail term.
The office told AFP that the cost is valid till 2027. Few, however , expect Vorayuth to handle the courts.
“Even right from the start, a lot of people expected just how it would end, ” Mr Pavin stated, noting intense general public anger around the case.
“Rich people getting away with crime has become so normalised within Thai society. Thailänder people don’t accept that it’s OK. inch