Red Bull Heir Vorayudh Yoovidhaya a No Show at Bangkok Court

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BANGKOK – Chief of the Department of Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation, Sutthi Kittisupaporn, told reporters today that prosecutors have decided to give the Red Bull heir, Vorayudh “Boss” Yoovidhaya, another chance after he failed to meet them Wednesday to answer charges in connection with a deadly hit-and-run incident in 2012.

Sutthi Kittisupaporn, said Vorayudh Yoovidhaya did not appear and the prosecution has heard nothing from his lawyers.

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The Office of the Attorney-General had sent a letter to Thong Lor police, who were responsible for the hit-and-run case, advising police to bring the suspect in to meet with prosecutors Wednesday to formally hear the charges and initiate a judicial process. Police followed up by issuing a summons.

Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mr Vorayudh’s father, was ranked by Forbes as Thailand’s fourth richest person in 2015 with a net worth of more than 340 billion baht.

Mr Sutthi said Mr Vorayudh still has a chance to report to prosecutors, noting that they will ask Thong Lor police to explain why the suspect did not show up and to arrange a new meeting.

“If the suspect fails to appear at the next meeting without proper cause he will face arrest,” he said, adding that the suspect’s lawyers can lodge a petition seeking a postponement, but the request must be based on proper reasons and backed by solid proof.

He said the prosecution expects the next meeting to take place within 30 days. Police will need 15-20 days to issue a new summons and the suspect will be given 10-15 days to prepare, he added.

According to Mr Sutthi, if the suspect fails to appear without a proper reason, it will be evident he is stalling the case, which justifies issuing an arrest warrant.

He said that in the criminal process, a suspect must be brought before the court if he is not detained in jail.