Thailand Cancels Cop-Killing Red Bull Heir’s Passport After Fleeing in Private Jet

Thailand Cancels Cop-Killing Red Bull Heir’s Passport After Fleeing in Private Jet
Ryan General
May 8, 2017
Thailand has revoked the passport of the fugitive Red Bull fortune heir after he fled the country before an arrest warrant was issued over his involvement in a deadly hit-and-run back in 2012.
In 2012, 32-year-old Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya allegedly crashed his black Ferrari into a police officer riding a motorcycle in Bangkok. Fleeing the scene, his car dragged the policeman’s body for a couple of dozen meters, killing the officer in the process. Yoovidhya is currently facing charges of speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving in Thailand.
Yoovidhya, who is a grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, creator of the Red Bull energy drink empire, has avoided the charges by traveling abroad for the last five years. He has since been living and working in London, where his family owns a home, and Singapore. 
According to AsiaOne, Yoovidhya has failed to turn up in court several times since legal proceedings began last year. Two days before he was ordered to be formally charged in court on April 25, Yoovidhya went to Singapore. On Thursday, Thai authorities confirmed that he already left Singapore and vanished after abandoning his private jet. A warrant for his arrest was formally issued at the end of last month.
Pushing the case, Thai authorities cancelled Yoovidhya’s passport on Friday afternoon, according to Thailand’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Busadee Santipitaks, in a report from Reuters.
According to the ministry, Yoovidhya will no longer be able to enter other countries using his passport, also canceling his immigration status in whatever country he is currently in. He will also now be subjected to whatever penalties and punishment his host country’s laws may incur him.
Back in Thailand, many observers have been watching closely on how long the wealthy Red Bull heir will be able to evade the justice system. The high-profile case has sparked outrage from critics who have been harping on the slow legal process that seemingly favors the rich and powerful.
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