Former Police Chief Arraigned Over Red Bull Heir's Case Mishandling

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

Former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, alongside seven other high-profile suspects, is set to be held accountable this Thursday for their alleged roles in mishandling the notorious hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, dating back to 2012.

 

The group facing charges includes prominent names such as former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, Pol Maj-Gen Thawatchai Mekprasertuk, Pol Col Veeradol Taptimdee, and civilians like Chainarong Sangthongaram, Thanit Buakhiew, Chuchai Lertpongadisorn, and Associate Professor Saiprasit Kerdniyom.

 

The charges against them arise from their purported involvement in altering police reports and dismissing charges to benefit Yoovidhya.

 

 

According to Watcharin Phanurat, deputy prosecution director-general of the Office of Investigation, the suspects are required to report to the office before being taken to the Bangkok Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases to face formal indictment.

 

Naksuk, for instance, is charged with malfeasance in office for his decision to drop the speeding charge against Yoovidhya. Others face accusations of conspiring to manipulate the reported speed of the vehicle involved in the fatal incident.

 

Phanurat estimates the proceedings might extend for another year. Despite the high status of the suspects, he emphasised his commitment to revealing the truth in this controversial and widely criticised case.

 

Notably, many of the charges initially brought against Yoovidhya, including speeding and failing to assist an accident victim, have been dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Nonetheless, a charge of reckless driving resulting in death remains.

 

The incident in question occurred on September 4th, 2012, when Yoovidhya allegedly struck and killed policeman Wichian Klanprasert with his Ferrari on Sukhumvit Road. Currently, Yoovidhya remains overseas, evading the charge.

 

-- 2024-08-27

 

 

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[Artisi]

A further year to investigate the corruption in this charade, guess there's no great rush. 

[pomchop]

Punish the monkey and let the organ grinder go....

 

 

[thesetat2013]

If they really did these things. They were paid well enough to fend off any related charges for doing it. So they deserve any justice meted out. But most likely, this will all disappear within the year and forgotten. 

[thaipo7]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

A further year to investigate the corruption in this charade, guess there's no great rush. 

Just waiting for the Statute of Limitations to run out.  IT has on every other charge.

[wazzupnow]

so what is new? finally the government finds out what everybody knew

and so what they have enough money to retire

i am sure  they know exactly who to pay to avoid any repercussion

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, alongside seven other high-profile suspects, is set to be held accountable this Thursday for their alleged roles in mishandling the notorious hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya

Nothing mishandled here. 

 

All involved are very wealthy now. 

 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

A further year to investigate the corruption in this charade, guess there's no great rush. 

Anyone who had anything to do with this case were told to back off or were compensated handsomely to turn a blind eye and allow him to leave the country.

 

[Iron Tongue]

6 minutes ago, wazzupnow said:

so what they have enough money to retire

You make the assumption that they were all paid millions or billions.  Probably only a few were paid and that money has already been spent.

The rest collaborated because that's what they do to protect the extremely wealthy because they wanted to curry favor from the Red Bull family and future promotions.

In all likelihood, nobody thought that this would still be in the news after a few years time.

Even though, I think that most will be let-off with one individual to be si gled-out and made the scapegoat.

[d2b2]

Follow the money!  
Any of the fugitive’s family members or lawyers found to be aiding and abetting this fugitive flight from Justice should also be indicted made to face a trial. 

[jippytum]

The police protected this hi so killer from justice for killing a policeman and 

allowed him to flee the country. 

He has been seen at many high profile sports events abroad and despite the issue of an international  arrest warrant Thai authorities have refused to return him to face justice. 

Another example of a rich Thai family evading justice. shameful ! 

[TheFishman1]

For everybody to see corruption at its best and how it works, who in the right mind would believe that they do not know where the Red Bull kit is he is very well insulated they all got paid a lot of money just waiting for the statues limitations to run out and then he’ll be back driving his Ferrari and BangkokTIT

[Thumbs]

What about all subsequent officials who allowed charges against him to expire the statute of limitations instead of prosecuting him in absentia. Going after the people who tried to cover things up but even after the truth has come out red bull heir still hasn’t been convicted of any crime 

[Andycoops]

Another blot on the corrupt justice system by adding a year to a case that is already 12 years old.

 

No doubt further enticements will be forthcoming, there must be a large bump under the carpet by now...

[spermwhale]

What I'd really like to know is why the Thai media has never attempted to track this murderer down and expose his overseas life. You know why? Because reporters in Thailand are afraid to step on the toes of the rich in their country and in this case, Daddy Red Bull.

 

I find it strange that no Thai journalist has the stones to research, find where he is, have photographers taking pictures out on the clubbing circuit and also researching how he is getting his money. The cops should do this too and see if daddy is protecting his murderous son and then arrest him for aiding and abetting. 

 

But again. The prosecutors go after the low-hanging fruit and people with no real power.. the low-level cops, while they don't dare touch Daddy Red Bull. And after all, it was he who bribed and perhaps even threatened the cops to cease their investigation. They didn't do it on their own accord. 

[spermwhale]

43 minutes ago, d2b2 said:

Follow the money!  
Any of the fugitive’s family members or lawyers found to be aiding and abetting this fugitive flight from Justice should also be indicted made to face a trial. 

The money goes back to Daddy Red Bull. He's the one who bribed the cops and he's the one funding his murderer son's lifestyle abroad. Sickening. I wonder if the fugitive's party pals abroad know they are associating with a killer. 

 

[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

mishandling

Double speak for being bribed/corruption.

[Ironmike]

Freeze all assets to the red bull families until little bull returns to stand trail on all accounts,, this would do the trick not money for hi so people they will drag his ass back here overnight

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the notorious hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, dating back to 2012.

 

His father bought his way out , everybody knows ...

Out of Thailand for 12 years now , he might want to come back a free man after 15 yrs ...?

May be he can make a deal ... or , may be , he does not want to be back at all ... understandable , too ...

[Stargeezr]

TIT, and if you are a rich family with connections with the richer and more powerful families,

life is different.  Thailand is not at all like other countries, especially the UK.  I am not an expat

but am married to a Thai woman and her family. The knowledge I have gain about Thailand and

all its difference is amazing indeed. Glad to see a police chief being affedted.

[Callmeishmael]

This will probably trigger another round of payments to the courts and police involved.  For the law enforcement in Thailand, 'Boss' is just a gift that keeps on giving!

[SABloke]

The most bizarre thing about this case is that at the end of it all, many people might face justice (time behind bars, fines, suspended sentences etc.), however, the driver of the vehicle that killed a cop won't receive any consequences at all.

 

[SABloke]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Notably, many of the charges initially brought against Yoovidhya, including speeding and failing to assist an accident victim, have been dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

 Yet when convenient or politically expedient for some, then the courts do rulings in abstentia. 

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Yoovidhya allegedly struck and killed policeman Wichian Klanprasert with his Ferrari

 

Can we please drop the "allegedly"? Yes, I know his legal culpability has yet to be determined in a court of law, but the facts of what he did that night are no longer in dispute by anyone.

[bradiston]

I'd ask his family why they are shielding him, and bring lawsuits against them for aiding and abetting, harbouring a wanted felon, and obstructing justice. They are complicit in his misdemeanours if they don't offer him up. He's more than likely shacked up in one of their million pound properties in the UK or elsewhere. What a disgraceful example they set. If their son hasn't got the balls to face up to what he's accused of, disown him or drag him in front of the beak to do so.

[phetphet]

Has he 'Boss' ever been spotted in recent years? I remember he was once photographed in London, but nothing since?

 

[mfd101]

Presumably the statute of limitations could be overruled by a one-off law of the Parliament ...

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Anyone who had anything to do with this case were told to back off or were compensated handsomely to turn a blind eye and allow him to leave the country.

 

Seems you and I know what went on, however those in authority didn't 🤣🤣🤣

[shackleton]

This is worse than a Pantomime  they are probably hoping the Public in general are tired of reading about this. Plus losing interest   and it slowly fades away 

The ones involved have already been paid 💰 🤑 

But hey this is Thailand 🤔

 

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

evading the charge.

That's the quintessence and purpose