Red Bull heir crash: Thailand orders second autopsy of key witness

There was public anger in Thailand after charges against Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya relating to a 2012 hit-and-run case were dropped

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha wants to ensure that the death of witness Jaruchart Mardthong on Thursday will be properly investigated

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Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, whose grandfather co-founded energy drink company Red Bull, is seen in 2017. The death of a witness to a 2012 crash he was involved in will be investigated. Photo: AP

Published: 9:11pm, 2 Aug 2020Updated: 9:14pm, 2 Aug 2020

Thailand’s prime minister has ordered a second autopsy be conducted after the death of a key witness in a deadly hit-and-run case linked to the heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune, amid public anger that the charges were dropped.

Jaruchart Mardthong, 40, died in what police said looked like a motorcycle accident on Thursday, amid public suspicion about the exact cause of his death.

Results of an initial autopsy have not yet been released. Local media said his family had planned to cremate the body on Sunday.

He was a key witness in the police investigation into Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, who was accused of killing a police officer in 2012, according to deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has committed to ensuring justice is done in the case. Photo: Reuters

Police said last week that all charges against Vorayuth had been dropped, stirring public anger about the country’s entrenched culture of impunity for the rich and well-connected.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha wants to ensure justice and clear public suspicion over the case, Traisulee said in a statement on Sunday.

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