Thailand Hit-And-Run Suspect, Energy-Drink Heir Slapped With Interpol Red Notice

The International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, has issued a "red notice" informing member nations that Thailand is seeking the arrest of Vorayuth Yoovidhya - who killed a police officer in a motor-vehicle crash in 2012.

Police in Thailand said the heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire was wanted for the fatal hit-and-run.

Interpol's notice is the latest in a protracted saga. Thailand's attorney-general late last week said Yoovidhya had been charged again for reckless driving and the use of illegal drugs. There was a public outcry when his charges were dropped in July. The dismissal of the charges against Vorayuth, 38, angered citizens who saw the court ruling as an example of impunity bestowed upon the elite.

Police spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen said Interpol issued the red notice - a request to authorities around the world to locate and arrest any individual pending extradition.

Thailand authorities said they had since communicated with Interpol member nations for information about the whereabouts of Yoovidhya - also known as "Boss."

Kissana said police had received confirmation of the urgent alert. They then relayed the request to the 194 member states for assistance. "We'll do whatever it takes to...ultimately bring him back to the country because it's a serious crime," Agence France-Presse quoted him as saying.

Vorayuth refused to appear at court hearings for years. He killed an officer when driving his Ferrari car. He continued to live a lavish lifestyle before fleeing Thailand on a private jet after an arrest warrant was issued in 2017.

Red Bull joint founder Chaleo Yoovidhya is the second wealthiest person in Thailand and has a fortune estimated at $20 billion, according to Forbes magazine.