The police forensic expert who gave conflicting statements about the speed of the Ferrari, driven by Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya and which was involved in the controversial hit-and-run case, has claimed that he was confused by the speed calculations and has reverted to his original statement.

A well-informed source said that Pol Col Thanasit Taengjan, a scientist attached the Office of Police Forensic Science, told the police panel investigating the handing of the case, that Vorayuth drove the super car at 177kph, as he originally stated, instead of 79.23kph claimed in a subsequent statement given in 2016.

The panel today summoned Pol Lt-Gen Vichien Tantiviriya, commissioner of the Office of Police Forensic Science, Pol Lt-Gen Thawatchai Mekprasertsook, a specialist attached to Royal Thai Police, and forensic experts, including Pol Col Thanasit, to testify.

The panel asked the forensic experts, Mr. Suthon Vijarnwannalak of Chulalongkorn University and of Mr. Saiprasit Kerdniyom of King Mongkut Institute of Technology, about the reliability of the calculations of the car’s speed.

Mr. Suthon maintained that Vorayuth’s car speed was 177kph, while Mr. Saiprasit maintained that the speed was about 79kph.

The source said the panel also questioned doctors about Vorayuth’s blood test, which indicated the use of cocaine, a fact which was omitted from the police case file.

The panel, said the source, will propose that the National Police chief charges the Red Bull heir with drug abuse.