Police deputy spokesman Kritsana Pattanacharoen insisted on Friday that Interpol’s “red notice" for hit-and-run fugitive and Red Bull scion Vorayuth Yoovidhya is still in force, despite vanishing from the Interpol website.
Interpol’s decision not to display the red notice would not affect police efforts to arrest the man, wanted for a fatal crash nearly six years ago, Pol Col Kritsana said.
Interpol’s red notice for 33-year-old Vorayuth, aka “Boss’’, recently disappeared from its public website, raising speculation that powerful interests had intervened on his behalf.
Pol Col Kritsana said a website was only one channel for people to get access to information. Thai officials and Interpol offices in all countries worked closely together. They had not sat still in hunting down the suspect, he asserted.
There were no reports about Mr Vorayuth’s whereabouts from countries which were Interpol members or countries which had extradition treaties with Thailand, the deputy spokesman said.
Mr Vorayuth is wanted on charges of reckless driving causing death and failing to stop and help a crash victim.
The charges arise from an accident about 5.40am on Sept 3, 2012, when Mr Vorayuth allegedly drove his 32-million-baht Ferrari into the rear of a motorcycle ridden by Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert, a 47-year-old traffic policeman based in Thong Lor, on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok's Watthana district.
Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian was killed and his body dragged along the road underneath the car for quite some distance.
Mr Vorayuth was later arrested at his home, but only after a member of the house staff first tried to take the blame with the connivance of a senior Thong Lor police officer.
Mr Vorayuth, through his lawyers, delayed hearing the charges seven times, giving various excuses including being too busy.
It was not until April 27 last year that prosecutors finally charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim. All other charges against him, including drunk driving, had expired under the statute of limitations for the offence.
Mr Vorayuth has subsequently been spotted by reporters emerging from a house in London, and also at Formula One races, where his wealthy family's Red Bull brand remains a major sponsor.
Thai police remain unable to find him.