Interpol issues ‘red notice’ for Thai Red Bull heir over fatal hit and run

Interpol has issued a “red notice” to arrest the fugitive Thai heir to the Red Bull billions over his role in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Bangkok, police have said.

The move by the international police organisation is the latest in the years-long saga surrounding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya who crashed his Ferrari in 2012, killing a police officer.

The charges against Vorayuth, who is the grandson of Red Bull’s co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, were dropped in July, sparking public outrage among the Thai public who saw it as an example of impunity granted the wealthy in the country.

The anger led to investigations being launched by various government agencies including the attorney general’s office, which last month announced fresh charges against Vorayuth of reckless driving causing death, and cocaine use.

A police spokesman, Col Krissana Pattanacharoen, confirmed on Sunday that a red notice – Interpol’s most urgent alert – was issued earlier this week.

“After we received the confirmation, we then passed our request to 194 member countries asking for assistance from them,” he said. “We have to do whatever it takes to … ultimately bring him back to the country because it is a serious crime.”

A red notice for Vorayuth, who fled Thailand in 2017 on a private jet, had not been published on the Interpol website as of Sunday afternoon.

After charges against him were dropped in July, a review conducted by the Thai prime minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s office concluded the entire investigation had been “compromised”.

The public outcry over Vorayuth came at a particularly tense period for the government, coinciding with near-daily protests across Thailand led by pro-democracy student leaders who are calling for Prayuth’s resignation.

Protesters have carried cardboard cut-outs of Red Bull’s logo to symbolise their anger at the military-aligned government, which enjoys close alliances with the kingdom’s billionaire families.

Vorayuth’s family is the second wealthiest in Thailand, with an estimated fortune of $20.2bn (£15.6bn), according to Forbes magazine.