"TCP Group would like to clarify that Mr Vorayuth Yoovidhya has never assumed any role in the management and daily operations of TCP Group, was never a shareholder, nor has he held any executive position within TCP Group," the company said in a statement. Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, the grandson of the energy drink's co-founder, had been accused of killing a police officer when he crashed his Ferrari in Bangkok in 2012. You will get the updates within 24 hours. Mr Vorayuth, a grandson of Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, is accused of running over and killing 47-year-old patrolman Police Senior Sergeant-Major Wichean Klinprasert on Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road in 2012. Have a tip or story? Vorayuths case has received renewed public scrutiny after news on Friday that all charges against him had been dropped in June. It stated that Vorayuth has never assumed any role in the management and daily operations of TCP Group, was never a shareholder, nor has he held any executive position within TCP Group. The statute of limitation on this sole remaining and most serious charge started on the night of the incident and extends for 15 years and until September 2027. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. It was unclear when the notice - a worldwide request to find and arrest an individual pending extradition - vanished from the website and for what reasons. Mr Mateschitz, on a business trip to Thailand, had discovered that the Red Bull elixir, then on sale locally, was amazingly effective at curing his jet lag on a visit to Bangkok in 1984. Vorayuth was found to have illegal drugs (cocaine) and alcohol in his system. [6] Vorayuth initially claimed that Suwet Hom-ubol, Vorayuth's aide and chauffeur, had been behind the wheel during the incident, but later admitted to driving the car himself. Despite assurances by then-Police Commissioner Comronwit Toopgrajank that the case would be taken seriously, as of April 2017 Vorayuth had yet to be indicted, as his lawyers had repeatedly postponed summons by the Attorney-General, claiming illness, overseas business and unfair treatment, and the statute of limitations expired for several charges. His father was an immigrant from Chinas Hainan province. Bangkok, Thailand CNN Charges have been dropped against the heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, relating to a crash that killed a policeman in 2012, Thai police. The officer died. For five years, Vorayuth played a game of cat and mouse ducking court summonses -- claiming through lawyers he was overseas on business or ill -- while photographs documented a globetrotting lifestyle: living it up in London, attending Red Bull racing events, or going off on beach holidays and ski trips. [1] Early life Thai people don't accept that it's OK.". This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. One was the notice itself may have been switched to restricted view for security reasons, the notice may have been withdrawn by appropriate authorities, a criminal case may be subject to an appeal or future enquiry, the suspect may be dead or that the notice itself is the subject of a legal appeal or action. 2023 Thai Examiner. Already, two of those charges have expired under statute of limitations provisions in Thailand and authorities now have just seven years to arrest him and bring him before a Thai court on the last charge. Thank you for subscribing our enewsletter. Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, princeling of the Red Bull energy drink family, is accused of ploughing his sports car into police officer Wichean Glanprasert's motorbike in Bangkok's wealthiest. After the initial investigation of the crash led back to Vorayuth, a family employee reportedly attempted to take blame for the crash in his stead. Yoovidhya was ranked by Forbes as the second-richest man in the country, worth some US$20.2 billion. An enquiry at the time to Interpol by the Bangkok Post newspaper was met with the standard reply that the international police agency could not, understandably, discuss individual cases. Mr Prayut says that prosecutors are still awaiting information from the police. Vorayuth's lawyer later claimed that Vorayuth's high blood alcohol levels were due to his drinking at home, due to stress following the accident and that he had left the scene to inform his family of what had happened. Vorayuth could also face a new charge relating to alleged drug use, as, according to a police report, blood tests after the incident showed traces of cocaine. Last month, a charge of using cocaine expired, the Office of the Attorney General said, leaving only one avenue for prosecutors to pursue against Vorayuth: reckless driving causing death, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term. Police hunt teens in brutal assault video, Underage customers found in pub-front food shop, Australia legalises psychedelics for medical use. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. According to an expert opinion previously not included in the police report, Vorayuth is alleged to have driven at about 170km/h (105mph). [19], A leaked copy of the prosecutor's report revealed that a new review conducted in 2017 concluded that the Ferrari's speed was only 76.17 km/h, under the road's 80 km/h speed limit, and two eyewitnesses testified that Wichian had been driving erratically. Si Sa Ket police are searching for two teenagers captured in an online video brutally assaulting a special-needs minor and forcing the victim to prostrate himself before a third teenager. After the crash, Investigators followed leaking brake fluid from the scene back to the Yoovidhya family estate, where Vorayuth was later accused of killing the man. Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, wanted for an infamous hit-and-run case from 2012, is believed to be in Austria, though the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have no evidence of his residency. [1][2][3][4], Wichian, a Thai police senior sergeant-major, was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a speeding Ferrari which dragged his body along the road for over 100m (328ft) before it fled the scene. 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 companys daily operations. Thousands of anti-government protesters rally in Thailand's capital, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Reports indicate that he had a mixture of illegal drugs in his system at the time, including cocaine, although Voryauth claims the cocaine was found due to medicines administered during dental work. Faced with public anger and calls for a boycott of their products within Thailand, TCP Group, which owns the Thai Red Bull brand, recently sought to distance itself from the case. Were working to restore it. Mr Prayut Petchun, a deputy spokesman for the prosecutors office explained that the accused needs to be in custody before a lawsuit is filed with the court. The police reportedly have no official record to prove Voryauths assertion. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. ", A Ferrari that was driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya and a motorcycle, both involved in the accident, are displayed by police in Bangkok in 2012.Credit: The Daily News/AP. The policeman's body was dragged about 200m along the road. In 2020, the Thai authorities dropped all charges against Vorayuth, triggering a huge public outcry -- including a social media campaign to #BoycottRedBull. Designed, Developed & Maintained By Daksham, Thai court issues new arrest warrant for notorious Red Bull scion, Charges against Thai Red Bull heir dropped from fatal crash, Farrukh Dhondy | Of May Balls in Cambridge as Titan adventure leads to tragedy. However, they did explain that several circumstances might apply in that situation. Unverified claim suggests 'Boss' hiding in Austria - Bangkok Post INN News are reporting that a public prosecutor in the foreign affairs department says that Thai police have made no progress at all in the case of fugitive cop killer Vorayuth Boss Yoovidhya. [5], The Ferrari was later found to have been driven by Vorayuth, a grandson of billionaire Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Some reports said 80 while others said 87. Thai police said in late August last year that the international police network had issued the red notice for Mr Vorayuth, now 33, after he repeatedly failed to meet prosecutors. A spokesman for Thailands prosecutors office this week warned that time may be running out to bring Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the scion of the family at the centre of the Red Bull drinks empire, to justice. 5 tasty Singaporean restaurants in Bangkok, 15 tropical fruits you must try in Thailand, Sichon set to champion tranquil tourism in Southern Thailand as destination emerges as new travel hot spot, Mysterious vanishings take a twist: New development emerges in Bangkok case, Feedback positive following cancellation of Test & Go entry scheme, Inappropriate performance at renowned Thai temple event sparks criticism, Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver, Chinese student couple caught on camera during intimate classroom moment, Hot lottery numbers for tomorrows May 2 draw, Thai man implants magnets into his fingers for 40 years to win at Hi-Lo, Tourists warned against taking Happy Water drug in Thailand, Mosquito bite in Thailand causes Dutchman to lose both legs, Russian invasion spreads to Thailands paradise islands, Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee, Phuket expats urgent appeal for funds after hit-and-run incident, Beach vendor apologises for misunderstanding over lounge chair slogan confusion, Thai Airways cabin crew forgets to collect meal trays before landing on Singapore-Bangkok flight, Thai cave rescue survivor dies in accident in England. 3 Sep 2022 at 09:04. He was born in the northern Thai province of Phichit to a Thai Chinese family who traded in ducks and fruit for a living. The prosecution of Red Bull heir Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, however, has been delayed for close to five years. It's fun, it's factual, it's fluff-free. All charges against him were dropped in July 2020. But by Sunday afternoon, under pressure, the attorney generals office announced it would set up a committee to investigate its own decision. [7] The case has caused continuing outrage in Thailand.[4]. Red Bull distances itself from hit-and-run case as boycott calls grow. Red Bull heir: All charges dropped against Vorayuth Yoovidhya - CNN These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. An earlier The Thaiger story about the Red Bull heir HERE. On Tuesday, the attorney generals office which had announced a review following the public outcry said it would recommend that police reinvestigate the case. Thai police launch inquiry into dropped charges against Red Bull heir Suwet would later be charged with making false statements to the police. For the officers involved, many of whom hold weighty responsibilities, this weeks announcement simply means that their performance, since March, is being scrutinised more closely by their superiors on the force. Psychedelics can now be legally used as medicine in Australia in a world-first approval that is aimed at treating acute mental health conditions. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The statute of limitations on the speeding charge expired in September 2013, and on the fleeing the scene of an accident charge in September 2017. His grandson, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years over his involvement in a car crash in 2012 that killed another driver, a police officer named Wichian Klanprasert. "It's entirely up to Interpol. This happens so often, so constantly, it is very clearly part of the working culture, he added. Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of the late Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, pictured in 2012. "Even from the beginning, a lot of people expected how it would end," Mr Pavin said, noting intense public anger around the case. Amid the backlash, TCP Group -- Red Bull Thailand's parent company -- distanced the firm from the case, saying the issue was a private matter. Red Bull heir still at large 10 years on - Bangkok Post He had told investigators that Vorayuth was not speeding at the time of the crash, and is likely to have been interviewed again as part of the new inquiries. The Office of the Attorney-General also said it would look into how the case was dropped. In April 2017, Vorayuth failed for the eighth time to appear in court to answer the charges against him, citing work commitments. Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya who created the Thai energy drink Krating Daeng, or Red Bull, was accused of crashing his black Ferrari into a Bangkok policeman in 2012 and dragging his body for dozens of metres before fleeing the scene. Psychedelics can now be legally used as medicine in Australia in a world-first approval that is aimed at treating acute mental health conditions. On the evening of September 3, 2012, Vorayuth was driving his Ferrari and slammed into the police officer, apparently accidentally, before speeding off and leaving the dead man behind. 2023 Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. Although the police reportedly have no official record of this, Vorayuth asserted that the cocaine was found in his system due to medicine administered during dental work. Some estimates put the familys wealth at a massive $20 billion or 620 billion mostly derived from the success of the Red Bull energy drink which took off following a joint venture between the pharmaceutical company owned by Chaleo Yoovidhya and Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz. The agency said the notice could also be removed if it is the subject of an appeal, or if "the status of the notice has changed from public to restricted". A second charge -- failing to stop to help a crash victim -- expired on Sept 3, 2017. His prosecution, however, has seen multiple delays over recent years. This weeks news comes after Fridays conclusion by the anti-corruption commission that the failures in the course of the investigation, which it had established, were not serious violations of discipline. 2023 Bangkok Post Public Company Limited, Unverified claim suggests 'Boss' hiding in Austria. a clan with an estimated net worth of US$26.4 billion (967.8 billion baht), Senator admits to former relationship with accused policewoman, Underage customers found in pub-front food shop, Australia legalises psychedelics for medical use, Hun Sen kicks off campaign for one-sided election. MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now. Red Bull Heir Vorayuth Yoovidhaya, Who Killed Cop With Ferrari While As Interpol has issued a red notice for his arrest, the RTP's foreign affairs division has sent a letter to its Austrian counterpart to verify if he is living there and track him down. On the evening of September 3, 2012, Vorayuth was driving his Ferrari and slammed into the police officer, apparently accidentally, before speeding off and leaving the dead man behind. The case is widely seen as an example of how the affluent in Thai society are able to escape the criminal justice system. You will get the updates within 24 hours. Over last weekend, a spokesman for prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney General expressed concern at the delay and called for expedition in efforts to secure the arrest of Mr Vorayuth. Interpol confirmed that Vorayuth left Singapore on 27 April. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat expresses confidence that his party, Pheu Thai and coalition partners will reach the agreements needed to form a new government in talks on Sunday. Vorayuth Yoovidhya - Wikipedia Thailands attorney general has ordered a fresh investigation into the heir to the Red Bull fortune, following public anger over a decision to drop previous charges relating to a fatal hit-and-run. While he was overseas, a speeding charge against him was dropped after its one-year statute of limitations expired. At one point, an Interpol arrest warrant was issued for the young man in August 2017. Among the officers reported having been disciplined by the Royal Thai Police from March 31st last was Police Major General Chumphon Phumphuang, a former head of Thonglor Police station which became the focus of the National Anti Corruption Commission enquiry.