Red Bull heir case to be wrapped up this month

September 4, 2012

BANGKOK, Sept 4 – The hit-and-run death of a Bangkok police officer involving an heir of the Red Bull energy drink creator is expected to be wrapped up this month with some witnesses questioned and some CCTV camera footage reviewed, a senior police officer said Tuesday.

Investigators have questioned four witnesses who confirmed that Vorayuth Yoovidhaya, a grandson of the owner of the Red Bull empire, was the driver of the Ferrari sports car which hit the motorcycle of the police officer early Monday, said Pol Col Chumpol Pumpuang, superintendent of Thonglor police station.

Pol Senior Sergeant Major Wichian Klanprasert was killed in the hit and run.

More witnesses will be summoned for questioning and the case will be wrapped up within this month, Col Chumpol said.

Police are gathering evidence from surveillance cameras at the spot where the sports car hit the police officer's motorcycle after some footage has been received.

Pol Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung, deputy Bangkok police chief, said that the investigation has made much progress after footage from three CCTV cameras revealed that the car ran at a high speed.

The police are seeking more circumstantial evidence to learn the suspect’s real intention. Additional charges may be filed against the suspect after the results of alcohol test in the suspect’s blood are known.

Regarding the local police superintendent who tried to cover up the crime by turning in a bogus suspect, Col Chumpol said Thonglor crime control inspector Pol Lt Col Pannapon Nammuang who has been transferred to an inactive post is being probed for trying to get the Yoovidhya family driver charged for a crime he did not commit. Col Pannapol has close relations with the family. (MCOT online news)

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