Ex-Prosecutors Jailed for Role in Red Bull Heir Vorayuth Hit-and-Run Case
Two former senior legal officials have been sentenced to jail for their involvement in helping Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya evade justice in a notorious 2012 hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a Bangkok police officer.
On Tuesday, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases ruled that former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk be sentenced to three years in prison, while former senior prosecutor Chainarong Saengthong-aram received a two-year sentence.
The case centered around allegations that key evidence—particularly the recorded speed of Vorayuth’s Ferrari—was tampered with, leading to the dismissal of charges for reckless driving causing death.
The court found that Chainarong had violated Section 172 of the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act by altering witness statements and manipulating speed data. Nate was found guilty under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, having made decisions in the case that lacked factual basis, constituting dereliction of duty.
While former national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung and five others were acquitted, the convictions mark a rare move in holding high-ranking officials accountable in a case that has sparked national and international outrage over Thailand’s two-tier justice system.
Both convicted men were granted temporary release on bail, posting 200,000 baht each as surety pending their appeals.
