Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday accepted a five-point proposal made by a panel looking into the alleged mishandling of the hit-and-run case against Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, which found evidence of conspiracy and recommended actions against those involved.
Gen Prayut acknowledged the committee's findings which suggested conspiracy among government officials and others, saying that a further investigation would be launched for clarity.
"We'll see what we can do next. Don't focus on who those people are yet, because more probes are needed. I don't want to say who they are even though many people want to know. They'll know [who those people are] when it's time," he said.
According to the prime minister, the five-point proposal made by the Vicha committee were: Reviving the hit-and-run case; taking legal and disciplinary action against people found in the wrong; looking into the ethical conduct of those whose roles were not clear; redefining the role and authority of supervisors; and giving the committee another month to make recommendations on legal reforms.
Gen Prayut was speaking before Vicha Mahakun, a former member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission who heads the committee, announced the panel's findings at Government House yesterday. Gen Prayut also thanked the committee members for their work.
On his Facebook, Gen Prayut yesterday vowed that a probe against Mr Vorayuth in the case in which the statute of limitations has not yet expired will be wrapped up within 30 days. He said any delay in the justice administration system should not and will not be tolerated.
He urged state officials and individuals involved in the hit-and-run case to do their job properly and use morality as their guidance, saying it is the best way to ensure justice and save themselves from trouble.
Citing the Vicha committee's report, he said that some people failed to do their jobs in a transparent manner and he would order a probe against those who were or are involved in causing unfairness in the legal and justice system.
"There were two parties affected by this case -- the policeman who was killed in the crash, and the entire country, as public confidence in law enforcement and in the justice system has been eroded," he wrote.
In its report, the Vicha committee categorically identified eight groups of people who played a role in the controversial dropping of charges against Mr Vorayuth and raised many other irregularities in the handling of the case.
