Police have yet to send a request to the Attorney General’s Office for the extradition of Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, a Red Bull scion accused of killing a policeman in a hit-and-run case five years ago, according to an official in charge of extradition.
Amnat Chotichai, chief of foreign affairs of the Attorney General's Office, said on Saturday prosecutors had made clear they were waiting for the request at the latest joint meeting of prosecutors and police.
“As of now, the police have yet to send us the request. I don’t know what’s causing the delay,” he said at a briefing on the extradition of the ex-monk Nen Kham from the US.
On cooperation with Interpol to find Mr Vorayuth, Mr Amnat said they police might have already done everything within their power. They might be in the process of determining where Mr Vorayuth is so they could send an extradition request, he said.
“We’ve been waiting for the request and will act as soon as it comes,” he said.
Before dawn on Sept 3, 2012, a black Ferrari allegedly driven by Mr Vorayuth slammed into a policeman on a motorcycle, dragging his mangled body along Sukhumvit Road, before speeding away.
Mr Vorayuth had delayed hearing the charges seven times, citing various reasons. It was not until April 27 this year that the prosecutors finally charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim.
The speeding charge had been dropped as its one-year statute of limitations had expired.
His passport was cancelled and an arrest warrant was issued for him after he flew out of Thailand on his private plane two days before he was due to face the charges.