Former police chief and others arraigned in Red Bull hit-and-run

[webfact]

Former National Police Chief Police General Somyot Poompanmoung, former Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk, and six others have been arraigned by public prosecutors in connection with the Red Bull heir hit-and-run case. The defendants face severe charges, including dereliction of duty.

 

Prosecutor Suvej Chompong represented the Office of the Attorney-General at the Bangkok Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, submitting a 19-year statement of accusations against the accused. The charges arose from a request by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which accused the defendants of improperly handling the investigation.

 

A key allegation involves altering the speed of the Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, leading to the dismissal of his arraignment for reckless driving resulting in fatalities. This charge will expire in 2027, while other charges against Vorayuth have been dropped.

 

The court granted bail to all eight defendants but restricted them from leaving the country. They are expected to file their pleas on September 10.

Vorayuth, the son of Red Bull energy drink tycoon Chalerm Yoovidhya, has been a fugitive since September 3, 2012, when his sportscar fatally struck Police Senior Sergeant Major Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor Police Station. Reports suggest Vorayuth’s current location may be in London.

 

FILE - Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, whose grandfather co-founded energy drink company Red Bull, walks to get in a car as he leaves a house in London Wednesday, April 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

 

During the arraignment, Pol. Gen. Somyot voiced his concern and unease about proving his innocence in court. He declined to comment on the prosecutors’ fresh actions, noting that the matter is now before the judges, reported Bangkok Post.

“Public prosecutors will not oppose their bail requests if the defendants seek temporary release.”

 

In related news, a Thai student has gained international recognition by winning a design competition for the Red Bull Racing Formula One car to be used in the British Grand Prix.

 

In other news, a dramatic incident unfolded on July 25 as a white Honda Brio was involved in a hit-and-run, prompting a woman to cling to the car’s bonnet while screaming for help. Despite her pleas, the driver sped off, causing panic on the streets.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-30

 

 

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[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A key allegation involves altering the speed of the Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, leading to the dismissal of his arraignment for reckless driving resulting in fatalities. This charge will expire in 2027, while other charges against Vorayuth have been dropped.

Vorayuth will sit out the rest of the time in overseas in comfort, then return to Thailand a free person..

When you are rich this seems to be an excepted trend, as we've witnessed recently with another person.

Just waiting for the Yingluk move.

[Theforgotten1]

Yes, this statute of limitations is a good thing for the rich , about time it was scrapped 

[DrMJA]

So sad ... Boss, ruined lives and sips champagne in Dubi or some other hidden place in the world waiting for the statue to run out; maybe he will come back in time to be PM 🤔

[Zack61]

18 minutes ago, DrMJA said:

So sad ... Boss, ruined lives and sips champagne in Dubi or some other hidden place in the world waiting for the statue to run out; maybe he will come back in time to be PM 🤔

With his criminal record and financial standing he’d be a shoo-in for top job. 

[TheFishman1]

This whole thing with the Red Bull kid is a big joke. The guy kills a cop send the butler to the police station he have on his jet flies to Singapore. Send the judge a note. He’s too sick to come back knows that he’s in Dubai or London there’s pictures of him With issuing a red notice with Interpol 24 months she’ll be back. This is how the justice system works in Thailand. Look at the other guy who stole billions comes back after 15 years and he’s like the PM now I mean his daughters now. TIT

[Gottfrid]

I guess this is their way of showing the public the case moves forward, right?

[OneMoreFarang]

49 minutes ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Yes, this statute of limitations is a good thing for the rich , about time it was scrapped 

I think the counting should only happen for the time the people are accessible to law enforcement. 

 

And fleeing the country should be severely punished. For all those people who fled the country and returned already, I never read that they got extra jail time for running away. Why not. Punish them! Then they would know that they only have the alternative to spend the time in prison now, or try to hide from the law for the rest of their lives. 

 

[Ironmike]

I hope that they find all of these corrupted people and take their money away from them and lock them all up

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, DrMJA said:

So sad ... Boss, ruined lives and sips champagne in Dubi or some other hidden place in the world waiting for the statue to run out; maybe he will come back in time to be PM 🤔

 

Lives in London.

[damian]

The press needs to shoulder some responsibility for the way this has played out. 

 

A bit of investigative journalism could have (and still could) provide an almost daily update on his whereabouts and lifestyle not to mention investigating the reasons why the red notice was withdrawn. 

 

The guy has not simply vanished off the face of the earth.  

 

Making the law lose face may spring them into action. 

[Nomadic1460]

So if you are rich , you get away with murder. 

I hope they will re open this case and show the world it is not possible to get away with murder in Thailand regardless of how rich you are and sentence the Police Chief- general  and others as well

I know it is wishful thinking🥴

[Hunz Kittisak]

24 minutes ago, damian said:

The press needs to shoulder some responsibility for the way this has played out. 

 

A bit of investigative journalism could have (and still could) provide an almost daily update on his whereabouts and lifestyle not to mention investigating the reasons why the red notice was withdrawn. 

 

The guy has not simply vanished off the face of the earth.  

 

Making the law lose face may spring them into action. 

A key witness was murdered

I assumed a lot of related people got threatened for sure maybe including the journalists. 

 

[oxo1947]

 

Now Thaksin family are firmly back in control, I expect all these sort of things ,like trying to flee the scene of a crime will be stopped....................     

[Frankie baby]

Reports suggest Vorayuth’s current location may be in London.

 

Very convenient. Looks like he's had a few pointers from the Thaksin family.  He will be out & about in the Ferrari again before you know it.

[renaissanc]

They'll all be released "for lack of evidence" in exchange for a delivery by a pastry box lorry.

[DPKANKAN]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Lives in London.

But if there was a proper Interpol Red Notice raised he should be arrested there!!! Why do they not do it!!!!

[shackleton]

Money and influence you can't do wrong in Thailand 💰  

[mikeymike100]

3 hours ago, DrMJA said:

So sad ... Boss, ruined lives and sips champagne in Dubi or some other hidden place in the world waiting for the statue to run out; maybe he will come back in time to be PM 🤔

Whilst I agree with you 100%, the 'come back in time to be PM' which I assume was meant to be sarcasm, might actually come true in Thailand, its 'Amazing'

[Purdey]

It will be good to punish the police who helped him get way. But what about the current police who know where he is and refuse to act?

[john donson]

a bit longer and they all can pretend it never happened

[anfh]

Article says “ Boss “ is in London. Thailand has extradition agreement with  UK so why dont they use it to get him back ????

[sambum]

“Public prosecutors will not oppose their bail requests if the defendants seek temporary release.”

 

"So, if you want to join your pal in London - no problem"!

[Pouatchee]

4 hours ago, Zack61 said:

With his criminal record and financial standing he’d be a shoo-in for top job. 

 

Nah... one has to be notorious to hold the top job. Maybe give him a new ferrari and a fresh target -- then he will qualify

[PomPolo]

6 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

Nah... one has to be notorious to hold the top job. Maybe give him a new ferrari and a fresh target -- then he will qualify

Or a tank, a few machines guns and a submarine

[PETERTHEEATER]

.....During the arraignment, Pol. Gen. Somyot voiced his concern and unease about proving his innocence in court......

 

Surely he trusts the justice system.😋

[TonyFromItaly]

4 hours ago, DPKANKAN said:

But if there was a proper Interpol Red Notice raised he should be arrested there!!! Why do they not do it!!!!

I agree.
That is a good question!

 

Tony

[Sydebolle]

The boy is a Thai national with a Thai passport. Latter has a maximum validity span of ten years. Well, if he got a new passport on the day prior to the "accident" then the kiddo would be without a passport for 23 months and 24 days (today). 

He is in England apparently so who extended/re-issued him a new passport?

The whole story is one of the bigger farçes of Thailand, very very thick envelopes passed already and this latest exercise will make sure that the flow of manillas will not stop. 

On 5 September 2027 the statutory limit is reached - and then it is "welcome to Thailand's long lost son"? We will see ..... 

[Ralf001]

6 hours ago, DPKANKAN said:

But if there was a proper Interpol Red Notice raised he should be arrested there!!! Why do they not do it!!!!

 

same reason they do not  arrest him when his private jet lands in Bangkok... they do no wat to.

[Dogmatix]

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

The boy is a Thai national with a Thai passport. Latter has a maximum validity span of ten years. Well, if he got a new passport on the day prior to the "accident" then the kiddo would be without a passport for 23 months and 24 days (today). 

He is in England apparently so who extended/re-issued him a new passport?

The whole story is one of the bigger farçes of Thailand, very very thick envelopes passed already and this latest exercise will make sure that the flow of manillas will not stop. 

On 5 September 2027 the statutory limit is reached - and then it is "welcome to Thailand's long lost son"? We will see ..... 

 

I am sure he purchased a number of foreign passports like Thaksin and Yingluck.

Edited August 30 by Dogmatix