Raging red bull runs rings round lame ducks

Raging red bull runs rings round lame ducks

Two interesting developments in the notorious fatal hit-and run case of 2012 implicating Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya occurred last week.

The first was the action taken by Interpol in trying to locate the whereabouts of the jet-set fugitive so public prosecutors in charge of the case could ask for his extradition to stand trial in Thailand on two charges -- reckless driving causing the death of a Thong Lor traffic police officer, and the second charge, not stopping his Ferrari to help the victim.

The second move was the decision by the Consular Affairs Department to revoke his Thai passport.

Veera Prateepchaikul is a former editor, Bangkok Post.

Although the two moves initiated by the Royal Thai Police intend to put pressure on the fugitive to show police are actually doing something about the case, I still find their efforts too little too late, and well-summed up by the saying "Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted."

Thai Interpol commander Pol Maj-Gen Apichart Suribunya said last Thursday his office had asked the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation, a research and development facility, in Singapore to issue a Blue Notice instead of a Red Notice for Mr Vorayuth.

He explained the Blue Notice was intended to allow Interpol to determine the location of Mr Vorayuth so public prosecutors in charge of the case could seek his extradition through diplomatic channels.

Since the objective is to seek the fugitive's extradition, why not issue the Red Notice given it is designed to seek the location and arrest of a person wanted by a judicial jurisdiction or an international tribunal with a view to extradite them.

The Blue Notice is merely to locate, identify or obtain information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation.

The case has dragged on for five years and both the police and public prosecutors have obtained more than enough information about the case without the need for further criminal investigation.

Personally, I really doubt the intention to seek Mr Vorayuth's extradition is serious.

Revoking the passport of an ordinary person may make it difficult for him to travel or could force him to go ground to avoid arrest; but for a super rich kid with business connections and wealth, obtaining a new passport from some Eastern European country would be as easy as peeling a banana.

Just ask fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. And who knows Mr Vorayuth may have one or more passports already.

Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya leaves his family's home in London early last month. (AP photo)

The fact he left Thailand for Singapore in his private jet three days before the court issued an arrest warrant against him as requested by the public prosecutors on April 28 was no coincidence.

Someone in the know might have tipped him off about the warrant.

That might explain why he quickly left Singapore for an unknown destination on April 27, leaving behind his private jet in the island state.

The Immigration Bureau was fully aware of Mr Vorayuth's entering and leaving the country but did not utter a word.

The immigration bureau chief, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn, admitted last week that he let the Red Bull scion leave the country on April 25 for Singapore because there was no arrest warrant against him, despite the known criminal charges against him.

Does that sound convincing?

Suppose there is a known terrorist or an IS fighter about to enter Thailand and no arrest warrant had been issued against him -- would Immigration allow him to enter easily without even detaining him for interrogation, which they are allowed to do if they have a good reason?

These half-hearted actions taken by Interpol, and recent foot-dragging by both police and prosecutors make me wonder whether there is any genuine attempt underway to see justice done in this long-running case.

The situation reminds me of the Black Superman's theme song: Catch me if you can!

Even more saddening is the widely-held belief that the prison system in Thailand is there to house the poor only and let the rich get off scot-free.

Veera Prateepchaikul

Former Editor

Former Bangkok Post Editor, political commentator and a regular columnist at Post Publishing.

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