29-8-2024 (BANGKOK) In the long-running Red Bull heir hit-and-run case, eight high-profile individuals, including former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, were arraigned at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Thursday.
Prosecutor Suvej Chompong, representing the Office of the Attorney-General, presented a 19-year statement of accusations to the court. The defendants face multiple charges, with dereliction of duty being the most serious among them.
The case stems from a request by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which accused the defendants of mishandling the investigation into the 2012 incident involving Vorayuth Yoovidhya, heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire. A key allegation centres on the alteration of the speed at which Yoovidhya’s Ferrari was reportedly travelling, a change that led to the dismissal of reckless driving charges resulting in fatalities.
The incident in question occurred on 3 September 2012, when Yoovidhya’s sports car fatally struck Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station. Yoovidhya has been a fugitive since then, with reports suggesting he may be residing in London.
Among the key suspects are:
- Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung, who was the police chief at the time
- Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk, then head of forensic police
- Pol Col Viradol Thapthimdee, former Thong Lor police chief
- Nate Naksuk, who served as deputy attorney-general
- Saiprasit Koetniyom, an automotive safety expert from King Mongkut Institute of Technology
During the arraignment, Pol Gen Somyot expressed discomfort about having to prove his innocence in court but refrained from further comment, stating that the matter was now in the hands of the judges.
Prosecutor Suvej indicated that the prosecution would not oppose bail requests if the defendants sought temporary release.
