Ex-Thai police chief to be charged

The accused and his aide: Somyot (right) is accused of using his capacity as a member of a parliamentary legal committee to help Vorayuth’s (left) case. — AP

Thai public prosecutors said they would charge an ex-police chief for helping the heir of the Red Bull energy drink fortune avoid prosecution after he was accused of killing a police officer in a hit-and-run in 2012.

Somyot Poompanmoung, a former head of Thai police, and seven other officials were indicted for not performing their duties and for aiding an individual to avoid punishment, the Attorney-General’s office said in a statement.Somyot, 69, was accused of using his capacity as a member of a parliamentary legal committee to help Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya’s case, according to the statement on Tuesday.