Thailand urged to clarify reasons for dropping charge against Red Bull heir

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. - AP

BANGKOK, July 25 (Xinhua): A noted academic on Saturday urged Thailand's police and the Office of Attorney General to clarify reasons for dropping a criminal charge against a fugitive heir to energy drink giant Red Bull.

Thammasat University's deputy director Prinya Thaewanarumitkul called on the police and the Office of the Attorney General to justify their decision to drop the charge of reckless driving, which had caused death of a police officer and had been earlier filed against Vorayuth Yoovidhya, son of Red Bull energy drink manufacturer Chalerm Yoovidhya.

Nicknamed "Boss," Vorayuth was drunk driving his car which rammed the motorcycle driven by Pol. Sgt. Maj. Wichian Klanprasert in Thonglor area of Bangkok, killing the police officer in 2012.

Prinya posted comments on his Facebook page, saying the Office of the Attorney General is obliged to give detailed explanations as to why they decided not to proceed with the case against the billionaire's son, who has fled Thailand and remained overseas for the last eight years.

Police spokesman Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Uthayo announced on Friday all arrest warrants for the Red Bull heir have been revoked and that the police have informed the Interpol accordingly.

The Nation Thailand had also reported that Deputy National Police spokesman, Pol Colonel Kissana Phathanacharoen, insisted on Friday (July 24) that there were no double standards in the case of Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya.

His remarks came after the Office of the Attorney-General decided to drop all charges against Vorayuth in a 2012 hit-and-run case.

Vorayuth allegedly crashed his Ferrari into a policeman on a motorbike in Bangkok’s Thonglor area and fled the scene, dragging the officer’s body for several dozen metres.

Meanwhile, a relevant police committee said it has consulted its own legal team and is not against the attorney-general’s decision.The arrest warrant against Vorayuth will also be revoked and police will coordinate with Interpol to do the same.

This means the Red Bull heir can return to Thailand.

Kissana said related officials have handled the case in the line with the law and there were no double standards. The public prosecutors had asked the investigators to provide details on several issues and police officers in charge of the case had met the demand every time, he said.

He added that if the police were to disagree with the attorney-general’s decision then it will have to be based on evidence, not social trends.

He also denied claims that police had handled the case in favour of Vorayuth, adding that the Royal Thai Police regrets the loss and never wants such an incident to be repeated.

Kissana also dismissed comments such as “jails are only for the poor”.

Vorayuth is the grandson of late Chaleo Yoovidhya, a co-creator of Red Bull energy drink, was listed as the third richest person in Thailand at the time of his death in 2012.