Law professor demands explanation from prosecutors over Red Bull heir’s case

In this April 5, 2017, file photo, 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. Charges have been dropped against the Thai heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune who is accused in a 2012 car crash that killed a Bangkok police officer, Thai police said Friday, July 24, 2020.

Thammasat University Vice Rector, Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, has questioned the decision, by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), to drop the charge of reckless driving causing death to other people against Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, noting that the case involves a serious hit-and run offence involving a serving police officer, and is not an ordinary reckless driving case.

The law professor also questioned the suspicious way the police dragged the case out for eight years, since the fatal hit and run on Sukhumvit Road in 2012, adding that the OAG’s decision not to prosecute confirms the belief, held by many people in Thailand, that “prison is meant for the poor and the rich will always escape.”

Prinya urged the OAG to explain why it dropped the charge against Vorayuth, pointing out that the decision has eroded public trust in the country’s justice system.

Meanwhile, Pol Lt-Col Thanavuth Sa-nguansook, Deputy Superintendent of Thonglor police, told Thai PBS today that the Red Bull heir can return home now, because the Thai police have revoked his arrest warrant and notified Interpol to that effect.

As for the bench warrant, he said that the police will notify the court on July 29th of the police’s decision to withdraw it, adding that the police might face a charge of malfeasance, in accordance of Section 137 of the Criminal Code, if they do not request revocation of the warrant.

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