Red Bull Heir Pays Bt3M To Victim's Family

[aguy30]

A 3 million baht payout is absurd. All things considered it probably would have been reasonable to be 300 million. Why is his family brought into the concept of settlement value. This guy is NOT a kid. He is 27. He is a very top executive at Red Bull. He is independent and employed with an extremely high paying job and personal wealth. He would still be personally extremely rich if all ties to his family were not considered. His negligent and criminal actions caused the death of the policeman. Just the extremely high speed driving and accident should warrant significant jail time. The fact that a person was killed and alcohol and/or drugs may be involved should make it years in prison. That is what a "non" Hi-So could expect.

What is most concerning is that his Hi-So status may well enter into the criminal action against him. Reaching a verdict in the court system will probably cost him many times more than 3 million for the family. My guess: a 1 year suspended sentence and a nominal fine, with a few hours of community service that won't even be done.

[nputman]

It should have been a B instead of a M.

Shameful.

[kennedy]

I think it is very possible they got more than 3 million.The wealthy never want the public to know how much they settle for if it's for a large amount.

[Artisi]

I think it is very possible they got more than 3 million.The wealthy never want the public to know how much they settle for if it's for a large amount.

And what evidence is this statement based on?

[soi41]

I think it is very possible they got more than 3 million.The wealthy never want the public to know how much they settle for if it's for a large amount.

And what evidence is this statement based on?

His friend on the leftside barstool !

[HaleySabai]

Multiply by ten and then it might actually be worth something, however it isn't going to bring back the victim is it ?

From what I understand the going rate for accidental-death payouts to victim's family is 300,000baht.....so again,TIT!

[soi41]

Most posters here are no better than the system, they are bashing. A system all based on money, where the wealth of the perp should decide the size of the compensation. So if you are "lucky" your familymember is killed by a Ferrari, giving you the means to live happily ever after. Bad luck if your relative is hit by a poor taxidriver, because by using the same of twisted logic a fair compensation in the latter case would be 2000-3000 baht. OR ??

[01322521959]

The hate of the rich never stops for you guys at your stonetables outside 7-eleven. As some of the posters above are longstayers here, they should be well aware of this is the way doing things in Thailand, whether you are rich of poor. Go to your local policestation every day of the week, and you will see many accidents being settled by paying a few thousend bath to the victims. And the perpetrator and the victim leaving the copshop together, big wais and smiles all around, because most importantly, noone lost face.

Btw I think, that 3M baht is very generous for an unmarried cop with no kids, meaning the money will go to his aging parents, securing them some good last days. The Thai way, for better or worse!

So you are actually condoning this? You make my blood boil and that's putting it mildly. ..

Getting a little tired of you guys, who can't even read. Where in my post do I say that I am conding anything??

Well, I think most would agree, your views are on the positive side to what is happening. It takes a wise man... I think we all know the rest.

[bridge2bridge]

Were they TOLD to accept that amount, seems very low to me.

Also does this mean NO JAIL time.

Only in Thailand.

[Wavefloater]

I really think Thai people are not intelligent enough to know that they should be very embarrassed by their government and legal system.

I'm afraid that this is the only punishment that will handed out in this case. As we all knew, this disgusting little punk will not see jail time, and he's probably racing around stoned and drunk in another of daddy's expensive cars already, knowing there are no real personal consequences if he fcuks up like that again. After all, 3 million baht is only a tiny bit of loose change for these azzholes -- chump change, really.

As for the superficial trial (that will go on behind closed doors and results hushed), it would be refreshing if the prosecution charged this piece of human garbage with premeditated murder on the grounds that voluntarily getting behind the wheel of a car after willing drinking huge amounts of alcohol and taking hard drugs is a deliberate action where he knowingly was nowhere near sober enough to drive safely. This wasn't an act of passion, where the wife kills the husband when she catches him shagging the baby sitter, nor was it an accident because he knew that the amount of alcohol and drugs he consumed would seriously impair his judgement and ability to control a vehicle, especially one that has tremendous speed and power. After all, he deliberately took it up to 200 kph in an area where 50 or 60 is the likely limit, and he did this in an extremely impaired state. I guess the other argument against a premeditated action would be self defense, and I can't see how the lawyers would ever try to sell that one.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Wavefloater

[soi41]

I really think Thai people are not intelligent enough to know that they should be very embarrassed by their government and legal system.

I'm afraid that this is the only punishment that will handed out in this case. As we all knew, this disgusting little punk will not see jail time, and he's probably racing around stones and drunk in another of daddy's expensive cars already. knowing there are no real personal consequences if he fcuks up like that again. After all, 3 million baht is only a tiny bit of loose change for these azzholes -- chump change, really.

Happy days in Thailand! The stonetables are getting crowded, the 10 baht/hour internetcafes are open and the barstoollawyers are out in full force !

[jambodave]

The hate of the rich never stops for you guys at your stonetables outside 7-eleven. As some of the posters above are longstayers here, they should be well aware of this is the way doing things in Thailand, whether you are rich of poor. Go to your local policestation every day of the week, and you will see many accidents being settled by paying a few thousend bath to the victims. And the perpetrator and the victim leaving the copshop together, big wais and smiles all around, because most importantly, noone lost face.

Btw I think, that 3M baht is very generous for an unmarried cop with no kids, meaning the money will go to his aging parents, securing them some good last days. The Thai way, for better or worse!

Sick words. No matter the way to do things.

So you accept that no change in corruption is welcome, and you just want to get on with the way things have been for centuries?

Do you have no sense of requiring, and giving examples, of the way things are and should be, with reference to 'democracy'?

3M is very generous from one of the richest families in Thailand?

I think you should go to 7/11, have another chilled drink, and comment again.... ? Or is loss of face more important to you than killing and paying off the poorer for it?

-mel.

Any change in corruption here would be most welcome but you can bump your gums till the cows come home IT AIN"T GONNA HAPPEN

[F4UCorsair]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

[Hawkman]

Seems soi 41 has it spot on yes it may not be right where we come from and we might not agree with it but we are in Thailand and it's the thai way off doing it no doubt the family has been expecting a pay out from the start and yes it doesn't seem that much to us but to the policemans family it is probably a huge sum.

If it is the Thai way of doing things, Thais are NOT happy about it, they want him to get done and are annoyed the media coverage has dipped for this as they think someone has told the media to step back a little.

I don't think Soi41 is spot on at all; this has nothing to do with hating the rich. This is about someone getting away with murder (no pun intended); whether the person involved was rich, poor, fat, ginger or a dwarf. Doesn't matter, people are annoyed - Thai and farang (but mainly Thai) - because there has been injustice.

[Tatsujin]

Most posters here are no better than the system, they are bashing. A system all based on money, where the wealth of the perp should decide the size of the compensation. So if you are "lucky" your familymember is killed by a Ferrari, giving you the means to live happily ever after. Bad luck if your relative is hit by a poor taxidriver, because by using the same of twisted logic a fair compensation in the latter case would be 2000-3000 baht. OR ??

Punishments are meant to deter, this is not about the compensation per se, therefore the outrage is at what many perceive to be a rich playboy getting away with killing someone and (by his standards) paying a pittance to do so. It wouldn't matter if he was rich or poor, if both were treated equally in the eyes of the law OR society in general. Unfortunately, here they are not.

[simple1]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

I had a Thai family member who was killed in a hit & run some months ago by a Westerner. He was arrested at a checkpoint 30 minutes later as there was a witness who could describe his vehicle - police negotiated 300k baht compensation for the family. I mentioned this to more than a few Westerners living here in Thailand, not one expressed any outrage. Most said that's fair payment based upon the income levels of most Thai's. Once compensation is paid it's up to the prosecutor, based on the police accident investigation report, whether to proceed or not with criminal charges. As the topic is a high profile case I would imagine they will do so.

Edited September 26, 2012 by simple1

[noob7]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

I had a Thai family member who was killed in a hit & run some months ago by a Westerner. He was arrested at a checkpoint 30 minutes later as there was a witness who could describe his vehicle - police negotiated 300k baht compensation for the family. I mentioned this to more than a few Westerners living here in Thailand, not one expressed any outrage. Most said that's fair payment based upon the income levels of most Thai's. Once compensation is paid it's up to the prosecutor, based on the police accident investigation report, whether to proceed or not with criminal charges. As the topic is a high profile case I would imagine they will do so.

We'll see, either nothing or something about this in the press media

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The OP article in this thread doesn't say anything about a criminal case proceeding or not... Although, the police official being quoted talks about expecting to conclude the (police) case by the end of the month. That doesn't sound like much is going to happen there.

[MobileContent]

Cheap deal at twice the price much like the family of the driver.

,3 million baht for a life,no doubt that will be covered in a twelve hour sales period..

Multiply by ten and then it might actually be worth something, however it isn't going to bring back the victim is it ?

Let's wait and see if the matter actually progresses to court and what if any the verdict and ensuing sentence may be.

3 million Baht is not that bad. A rich sun in law of a casino guy killed a guy on a motorcycle in Sakon and he paid NOT EVEN 100,000 BAHT AND WAS DRUNK ON booze. The car was returned to him again after he settled with the farmers family and he is still driving around but did stop drinking.

[moonbarman]

i reckon we might be pleasantly surprised and still see him serve some jail time.

555 wake up nuro you're typing in your sleep bud

[Hawkman]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

I had a Thai family member who was killed in a hit & run some months ago by a Westerner. He was arrested at a checkpoint 30 minutes later as there was a witness who could describe his vehicle - police negotiated 300k baht compensation for the family. I mentioned this to more than a few Westerners living here in Thailand, not one expressed any outrage. Most said that's fair payment based upon the income levels of most Thai's. Once compensation is paid it's up to the prosecutor, based on the police accident investigation report, whether to proceed or not with criminal charges. As the topic is a high profile case I would imagine they will do so.

Interesting post; I guess the ones who wern't outraged just have different values and beliefs than some other people. I know, if it was a family member of mine, you couldn't put a price on it. I guess you could turn the tables and ask them what if the victim was their own daughter. Bet my money you would get a completely different answer then.

I remember speaking to a westerner here who said he did the same thing when drunk, seemed a right p***k, no remorse; just laughed how he payed the family off and that's why he loved living here, you could get away with anything.

Thailand seems to attract these idiots and scum, both local and foreign.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Hawkman

[Wavefloater]

I wonder how this type of situation would play out if both of the parties involved were rich, and 3 million baht wouldn't really make much of a difference to the great wealth already possessed by the victim's family. Would they push for true justice, or would the price just increase substantially?

I've lived here quite a while. but I can't think of a case that's similar in any way involving 2 rich families. Can anyone recall such a situation?

Edited September 26, 2012 by Wavefloater

[GarryP]

Can't be bothered reading the whole thread. The payment of compensation is a civil matter. He still has to face criminal charges no matter how much compensation he pays. It was mentioned in one paper this morning that there were also traces of narcotics in the driver's blood in addition to alcohol so he is still likely to face criminal charges. However, the compensation will be taken into account when sentencing him. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets away with only a token period behind bars and a ridiculously low amount of community service.

Edited September 26, 2012 by GarryP

[yougivemebaby]

Pathetic, disgraceful, disgusting.....but what we all knew would happen.

Seriously? You're still forgetting we're not in Kansas anymore. This is Thai customs. No matter how much you don't agree with it you shouldn't call them names or be disrespectful. If you don't like it you should really consider moving somewhere else. All of us Expats are aware of the dangers and how the value life is treated differently (with money in lieu of prison time.) If you hate it so bad then go back to where you came from. Don't insult them for being different.

[Chopperboy]

Holy kii. B3 million. That should put a dent in the punk's spending for about..............half an hour.

As toybits says, probably the same as the repair costs to the killing machine.

These characters have no shame.

Holy kii. B3 million. That should put a dent in the punk's spending for about..............half an hour.

As toybits says, probably the same as the repair costs to the killing machine.

These characters have no shame.

Holy kii. B3 million. That should put a dent in the punk's spending for about..............half an hour.

As toybits says, probably the same as the repair costs to the killing machine.

These characters have no shame.

The car will possibly cost more to fix, I know Hi-So's who fly in a mechanic from overseas to do the work to make sure their classic car investment is kept totally up to standard.

[Wavefloater]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

I had a Thai family member who was killed in a hit & run some months ago by a Westerner. He was arrested at a checkpoint 30 minutes later as there was a witness who could describe his vehicle - police negotiated 300k baht compensation for the family. I mentioned this to more than a few Westerners living here in Thailand, not one expressed any outrage. Most said that's fair payment based upon the income levels of most Thai's. Once compensation is paid it's up to the prosecutor, based on the police accident investigation report, whether to proceed or not with criminal charges. As the topic is a high profile case I would imagine they will do so.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I suspect some people do get a skewed version of right and wrong after living here for a while. I would also suggest that other people may have felt very uncomfortable discussing your relative's death with you, especially if it appears that the conversation is going in the direction of the monetary value of a human life. I know I wouldn't want to say anything to fuel that type of conversation and would only offer condolences.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Wavefloater

[simple1]

Soutpeel said, "However distasteful this is, the key point is here, the family have negotiated this amount, with all the publicity around this case, one assumes they could gone for a significant amount and yet they haven't, they have been made an offer and accepted, no nowhere in the article does it say that the amount paid is a pay off in lieu of criminal proceedings...

So why dont you guys save your mock outrage for another day "

I agree Soutpeel. That's AUD 93,000 on today's exchange rate, and what seems like a lot of money in Thailand. It doesn't preclude criminal proceedings taking their course, and the two are very different things. I do hope he's sentenced accordingly.

I had a Thai family member who was killed in a hit & run some months ago by a Westerner. He was arrested at a checkpoint 30 minutes later as there was a witness who could describe his vehicle - police negotiated 300k baht compensation for the family. I mentioned this to more than a few Westerners living here in Thailand, not one expressed any outrage. Most said that's fair payment based upon the income levels of most Thai's. Once compensation is paid it's up to the prosecutor, based on the police accident investigation report, whether to proceed or not with criminal charges. As the topic is a high profile case I would imagine they will do so.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I suspect some people do get a skewed version of right and wrong after living here for a while. I would also suggest that other people may have felt very uncomfortable discussing your relative's death with you, especially if it appears that the conversation is going in the direction of the monetary value of a human life. I know I wouldn't want to say anything to fuel that type of conversation and would only offer condolences.

Not seeking any discussion on my family members death, just pointing out how these kind of incidents and the attitude to the compensation process are not just the sole dominion of Thai's.

[Neeranam]

lol

3 million baht. What a joke. Me in my fantasy dreams actually thought the amount to pay of the victim's family would be a lot higher.

You can get thrown in the jug for posting something on the internet about someone, I read that the penalty for being an illegal tour guide is some obscene amount... but if you are loaded, or from a loaded family, you can kill a person with your car and basically be penalized pocket money. Pocket money does not hurt! Pathetic.

What you don't get here, is that is not money ordered paid by anyone. This money paid by the Red Bull family of their own free will! For a family that rich, ofcourse you can always discuss the amount?? But this has got nothing whatsoever to do with the upcoming courtcase. As for the internet-thing, I agree with you 100%.

The normal compensation around here is 50,000 baht for the loss of a life. 3 million is well above that and they didn't need to pay nearly that much. The dead man's family didn't have to accept it, but of course, they did. Those who think this is an insult can't understand how these things work in this country.

[goldmonky]

3000000 baht eh? What will the judge be offered? PLEASE MEDIA SEE JUSTICE IS DONE.

[mrtoad]

Scum