The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has agreed to indict former police chief, Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, former deputy attorney-general, Nate Naksuk, and six other individuals with malfeasance in office for allegedly helping Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya to evade prosecution following a fatal hit-and-run incident in 2012.
The six other individuals are Pol Maj-Gen Thawatchai Mekprasetsook, a former divisional commander, Pol Col Veeradol Thaptimdee, a former enquiry officer at Thonglor police station, public prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram,Deputy Professor Dr. Saiprasit Kerdniyom, Thanit Buakhiewand Chuchai Lertpongadisorn.
OAG spokesman Prayut Bejraguna said that they also decided to retain four other suspects as prosecution witnesses. They are Pol Col Vivat Sitthisoradej, Air Marshal Chakkrit Thanomkulavutr, Pol Lt-Col Pannaphon Namuang and Air Marshal Surachate Thongsaluay.
Five other suspects were cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which investigated the case. They are Pol Lt-Col Songvuth Charoenvichayadej, Voraphol Soktiyanurak, Usa Chusin and Natnjcha Thongchuen.
Regarding another suspect, Pol Lt-Gen Permpoon Chidchob, the NACC decided to recommend action be taken against him in accordance with Anti-Corruption Act.
Prayut said that prosecutors from the Office of Corruption Cases have been assigned take action against the eight suspects.
In 2020, then Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the setting up of a fact-finding committee to investigate the high profile fatal hit-and-run case, in which the Red Bull heir is implicated, after the public prosecutors decided not to indict the fugitive suspect, Vorayuth.
Led by Professor Vicha Mahakun, the probe team came up with a damning report, implicating several individuals of involvement in helping Vorayuth to evade prosecution.
