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Activist to sue police over ‘Boss’

BANGKOK: Political activist Srisuwan Janya will petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today (Sept 4) to take legal action against police handling the case involving Red Bull scion Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya.

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By Bangkok Post

Monday 4 September 2017 08:37 AM


In this 2012 file photo, Vorayuth Yoovidhya is escorted to the Thong Lor Police Station for interrogation, hours after a crash that killed a police officer. Photo: Bangkok Post / file

In this 2012 file photo, Vorayuth Yoovidhya is escorted to the Thong Lor Police Station for interrogation, hours after a crash that killed a police officer. Photo: Bangkok Post / file

Mr Srisuwan, who serves as the secretary-general of the Association to Protect the Thai Constitution, is accusing the police of negligence which he claims led to the statute of limitations on a hit-and-run charge against Vorayuth expiring yesterday (Sept 3) before the suspect was brought to trial.

Now only one charge – reckless driving causing death – remains against the suspect, as all the others have expired with the passage of time.

The 15-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident in 2012 means it is valid until Sept 3, 2027. It carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and/or a fine of up to B20,000.

This is one of many legal challenges raised by Mr Srisuwan.

Last month he called on the NACC to probe Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the deputy prime minister, and national police chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda for the flight of fugitive ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

Mr Srisuwan said the association will petition the NACC to investigate the chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), the national police chief and prosecutors for dereliction of duty in letting Yingluck, a criminal suspect, flee the country.

Meanwhile, Vorayuth has remained free for five years since allegedly dragging a motorcycle police officer to his death after speeding into the man in his Ferrari near the Yoovidhya family home in Bangkok’s Thong Lor district.

Lt Somnuek Siangkong, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General, said the expiration of the other charges would not have any impact on attempts to seek the extradition of Vorayuth as public prosecutors have already indicted him.

MPB chief Sanit Mahathavorn said the Royal Thai Police have asked Interpol to issue an international alert or “red notice” to 190 member countries to hunt down Vorayuth.

The fatal crash happened at 5:40am on Sept 3 when Vorayuth, now 32, ran his B32-million Ferrari into the rear end of a motorcycle driven by Thong Lor traffic cop Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, 47, on Sukhumvit Rd in Bangkok’s Watthana district.

The policeman’s body was dragged for about 200 metres, breaking his neck and other bones, according to reports.

Soon after the crash, a Thong Lor police inspector was transferred to an inactive post for allegedly attempting to detain a driver for the Yoovidhya family to make him a scapegoat.

Reports claim Vorayuth fled Thailand in late April.

He was last spotted in Taiwan.

In the five years since, numerous attempts to have the young billionaire answer to the charges have failed, with his lawyers claiming he was ill or unavailable.

But investigations by The Associated Press show Vorayuth has travelled in and out of Thailand frequently and often stays at a London residence owned by a company linked to the family business empire.

An arrest warrant was issued for Vorayuth in April.

Read original story here.