Latest news with #VorayuthYoovidhya
Bloomberg
22-04-2025
- Bloomberg
Thai Court Jails Ex-Prosecutors for Helping Red Bull Heir's Case
A Thai court sentenced two former prosecutors for helping Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya evade criminal charges after a hit-and-run in 2012 that left a police officer dead. Former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk and former prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram were sentenced to three and two years in jail respectively for wrongful exercise or negligence of duty and for helping an individual evade punishment, according to a statement by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Tuesday.
Free Malaysia Today
22-04-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand convicts ex-prosecutors in Red Bull heir's hit-and-run case
Vorayuth Yoovidhya was charged with speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving causing death over the incident. (EPA Images pic) BANGKOK : A court in Thailand today convicted two former prosecutors for misconduct in connection with a high-profile hit-and-run case involving the fugitive heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire. Vorayuth 'Boss' Yoovidhya, the grandson of the late Thai billionaire Chaleo Yoovidhya who created the Red Bull energy drink, is accused of crashing his Ferrari into a policeman in 2012 and dragging his body under the vehicle for more than 100m before fleeing. His whereabouts is unknown and he is likely living abroad, according to media reports. A former deputy attorney-general who oversaw Vorayuth's, case, Net Naksuk, and another prosecutor were sentenced to three and two years respectively today after being found guilty of misconduct in helping Vorayuth avoid prosecution and deciding not to indict him. Vorayuth, who was 27 at the time of the incident, was later charged with speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving causing death. He ignored multiple court summons before authorities issued a warrant for his arrest five years after the incident. He initially admitted to driving the car but denied other charges. The hit-and-run case has captured significant public attention in Thailand, stoking anger over a perception of impunity for the wealthy, with Vorayuth still at large, despite repeated promises from authorities to bring him to justice. Six other defendants in the case, including former national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The two former prosecutors sentenced today have denied wrongdoing and were appealing the verdict, according to the court. They could not immediately be reached for comment. 'The actions of the defendants undermined the credibility of the justice system,' the court said.
