The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has decided to charge former police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, and six others with malfeasance in office for allegedly assisting Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya in evading prosecution after a fatal hit-and-run incident in 2012.
The six additional individuals facing charges include Pol Maj-Gen Thawatchai Mekprasetsook, former divisional commander; Pol Col Veeradol Thaptimdee, former enquiry officer at Thonglor police station; public prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram; Deputy Professor Dr. Saiprasit Kerdniyom; Thanit Buakhiew; and Chuchai Lertpongadisorn.
OAG spokesperson Prayut Bejraguna announced that four other suspects would be retained as prosecution witnesses. These witnesses are Pol Col Vivat Sitthisoradej, Air Marshal Chakkrit Thanomkulavutr, Pol Lt-Col Pannaphon Namuang, and Air Marshal Surachate Thongsaluay.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) cleared five other suspects of any wrongdoing after investigating the case. These individuals are Pol Lt-Col Songvuth Charoenvichayadej, Voraphol Soktiyanurak, Usa Chusin, and Natnjcha Thongchuen. As for suspect Pol Lt-Gen Permpoon Chidchob, the NACC recommended action be taken against him under the Anti-Corruption Act.
Prayut mentioned that prosecutors from the Office of Corruption Cases have been tasked with pursuing legal action against the eight implicated suspects.
In 2020, then Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha directed the establishment of a fact-finding committee to examine the high-profile fatal hit-and-run case involving the Red Bull heir, Vorayuth, after public prosecutors chose not to indict him. The investigative team, led by Professor Vicha Mahakun, produced a report implicating several individuals in aiding Vorayuth to avoid prosecution.
READ MORE STORIES: http://pattayaone.news
