BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court has convicted and sentenced two former prosecutors for their roles in an alleged cover-up related to a 2012 Ferrari crash that resulted in the death of a police officer. Former Deputy Attorney General Nate Naksuk received a three-year sentence, while former prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram was sentenced to two years by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Bangkok.
The court determined that the two officials abused their power to aid an individual in evading prosecution. They were part of a group of eight individuals charged with conspiring to engineer changes to the recorded speed of the Ferrari driven by Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, heir to the Red Bull energy drink dynasty, in order to help him dodge a speeding fine. Other figures, including former Police Chief Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the alleged misconduct.
Despite the convictions, the court has ordered all eight individuals to remain detained pending an appeal process, though reports indicate they later secured bail. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the influence of wealth and connections in Thailand, particularly in relation to the legal system.
Vorayuth Yoovidhya, who has eluded justice in this case, is part of the Yoovidhya family, which Forbes listed as the richest in Thailand, with an estimated net worth of approximately $36 billion. The police reported that in September 2012, Vorayuth crashed his Ferrari into the rear of a police officer's motorcycle during early morning hours on a major road in Bangkok, resulting in the immediate death of the officer. Following the incident, Vorayuth returned home and was subsequently arrested, with medical tests revealing the presence of both alcohol and cocaine in his bloodstream.
Vorayuth managed to avoid further legal repercussions by repeatedly failing to attend meetings with prosecutors, living a lavish lifestyle that included extensive international travel. It wasn't until an arrest warrant was finally issued in April 2017 that Vorayuth fled the country. His case has experienced multiple delays throughout the investigative and judicial phases, effectively running out the clock on the majority of the charges against him related to the fatal hit-and-run. Currently, only one charge remains, that of reckless driving resulting in death, but the statute of limitations for this charge will run out in 2027.
This situation serves as a significant example of perceived impunity enjoyed by the wealthy and powerful in Thailand, raising questions about accountability within the judicial system. As the appeals process progresses, it remains to be seen what implications this case will have for future legal accountability in the country.
