Thai police launch inquiry into dropped charges against Red Bull heir
Thai police have opened an internal investigation after charges were dropped against the billionaire Red Bull heir in a fatal hit-and-run case amid outrage over a perceived culture of impunity for the rich.
Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the grandson of the energy drink’s cofounder, had been accused of killing a police officer when he crashed his Ferrari in Bangkok in 2012.
Vorayuth’s case has received renewed public scrutiny after news on Friday that all charges against him had been dropped in June.
The public has latched on to the case as an example of the country’s ultra-rich apparently enjoying different standards, and have vented their anger on social media.
After a weekend of vitriol on Twitter, which led to trending hashtags such as #BoycottRedBull and #BossRedBull, the police spokesman announced a change of heart on Monday.
“Police general Jakthip Chaijinda has set up an investigation team,” said Krissana Pattanacharoen, a police spokesman.
The 15-day inquiry will “find the facts and show transparency and justice to everyone to see whether if the case followed police procedures,” he said.
Police initially defended the decision, saying the attorney general’s office had sent them a letter in June informing saying the charges were being dropped.
One of the charges of reckless driving causing death had several more years before the statute of limitations was set to expire. But by Sunday afternoon, under pressure, the attorney general’s office announced it would set up a committee to investigate its own decision.
TCP Group, the owner of Red Bull, distanced itself from Vorayuth in a rare public statement on Sunday, saying he had never assumed any role in the company’s daily operations.
The government spokeswoman, Narumon Pinyosinwat, also said the prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, was “uneasy” about the decision to drop the charges, and had ordered all agencies involved to reinvestigate.
She added that the premier “confirms he has never helped nor interfered in the justice process”.
The investigation comes as Thailand is undergoing a burgeoning prodemocracy movement, with young Thais taking to the streets daily to protest against a government they see stacked with former military generals and royalist establishment.
Wanchai Sornsiri, a prominent senator who is seen as a pro-military establishment stalwar, took to Facebook to comment on Thais’ growing anger over issues big and small.
He said Vorayuth’s case would “explode at the same time that student protests are escalating” around the country.
“It is the last straw and the fire has been lit,” he wrote.