20 September 2024

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.