Search to be 'stepped up'

Search to be 'stepped up'

Authorities are stepping up efforts to locate and bring back Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, to face punishment, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

The Red Bull scion has been on the run to avoid prosecution in a 2012 hit-and-run case, and the statute of limitations is running out on the one remaining charge against him, he said. He was responding to a question during a parliamentary session from Theeratchai Panthumas, a Move Forward Party MP, who asked about progress in the case.

Mr Wissanu said the charge of drug abuse brought against Mr Vorayuth had now lapsed as a result of the new narcotics law which alters the statute of limitations on some offences.

The only remaining charge against him is reckless driving causing death which has a 15-year statute of limitations. But the time limit for this charge now has only five years left to run, Mr Wissanu said.

"Authorities will use all means and channels available and work with other countries to bring him to justice," Mr Wissanu said.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is also considering whether to launch an inquiry against 15 people, including police officers and soldiers, for their alleged role in obstructing justice in the case.

The pursuit of Mr Vorayuth stems from an incident in which he crashed his car into a motorcycle ridden by Pol Snr Sg Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station in August 2012. The officer died in the collision.

Mr Vorayuth postponed court appearances more than five times before fleeing abroad in 2012.

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