THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Inquiry points finger at senior prosecutor in ‘Boss’ case

Inquiry points finger at senior prosecutor in ‘Boss’ case

The government inquiry into the fatal hit-and-run case of Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya has revealed more evidence pointing to a high-level conspiracy to get Boss off the hook.

Vicha Mahakun, who heads the inquiry, said records showed a senior prosecutor had arranged a meeting between a lecturer and a police lieutenant colonel that resulted in the estimated crash speed of Vorayuth’s Ferrari being changed dramatically.

The name of the senior prosecutor, who works in the Bangkok office, was not revealed by Vicha.
However, last month a forensic police officer told a House committee he had changed the estimated crash speed from 177kph to 79kph on the advice of King Mongkut Institute of Technology lecturer Saiprasit Kerdniyom, who was brought to him by a commander.

On Wednesday, Vicha said his inquiry had video and records that reveal the prosecutor took Police Lieutenant Colonel “Th” and a police general to meet Associate Professor “S”, to propose a new speed calculation method.
The prosecutor also allegedly changed the recorded date of the 2016 meeting to February 26, when members of the group were abroad. The records show it actually occurred three days later on February 29.
Video of the group’s conversation was checked by the inquiry, said Vicha.

Yesterday, assistant national police chief Lt-General Jaruwat Wisaya held a press conference on the police probe of 21 officers accused of mishandling the case.

Jaruwat said that former national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung could not be summoned for interrogation since he was no longer in the post.

Somyot allegedly brought lecturer Saiprasit to meet forensic police officer Pol Col Thanasit Taengchan, resulting in the crash speed recalculation.

However, Jaruwat said Vicha’s inquiry had not revealed the name of the high-ranking police officer at the meeting, so further investigation was necessary.

Jaruwat added that police will check their own records of the meeting’s date, which do not match with Vicha’s report.

He also said the police would take legal action against the 21 accused officers.

Athapol Yaisawang, chief of the Public Prosecutor Commission, said new evidence from the Vicha-led panel would be examined by the commission as soon as possible.

On August 31, Thong Lor police investigators used new evidence to indict Vorayuth on three charges: reckless driving causing death, failing to help a victim after a crash and drug abuse.

Police say they will apply for an Interpol warrant for Vorayuth’s extradition from abroad once prosecutors accept the case.

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