BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai energy drink brand Red Bull has tried to distance itself from a member of the business founder’s family who was involved in a leak and leak case as calls to boycott their products grew.
Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, who created the Thai energy drink Krating Daeng, or Red Bull, was accused of crashing his black Ferrari into a police officer in 2012 and dragging his body for dozens of meters before fleeing the scene.
Police said Friday that their charges, which included speeding, hitting and reckless driving that caused the death, were dropped in a case that has raised questions about crime and punishment for the well-connected.
TCP Group, which owns the Thai Red Bull brand, said it is run by Vorayuth’s uncle and is not directly associated with Vorayuth, whose father is a co-owner of the international Red Bull brand that Chaleo had co-founded with an Austrian partner.
“The TCP Group would like to clarify that Mr. Vorayuth Yoovidhya never assumed any role in the administration and day-to-day operations of the TCP Group, was never a shareholder, or held any executive position within the TCP Group,” the company said in a statement. on Saturday afternoon
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s office said Sunday that news of the withdrawn case made him “uncomfortable” and had ordered relevant agencies to review the previous steps, adding that he had never granted personal favors.
The Attorney General’s Office also said it would analyze how the case was dropped.
Many Thais were angered by the move to drop the charges, sparking allegations of impunity for the wealthy and prompting calls on social media to boycott Red Bull products.
The TCP Group said it was “fully aware of the situation and truly understands consumer sentiments regarding the incident.”
Vorayuth’s grandfather was listed as the third-richest person in Thailand when he died in 2012 at age 88, with an estimated net worth of $ 5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Red Bull GmbH sponsors the Formula One racing team, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, and the New York Red Bulls football team.
Report by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; edited by Kay Johnson, Sam Holmes and Raissa Kasolowsky
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