Thai court issues new arrest warrant for Red Bull heir over hit-and-run that left policeman dead

A Thai court has issued a new arrest warrant for the heir to Red Bull over his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run which left a policeman dead.

Authorities dropped criminal charges and withdrew an arrest warrant for Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya last month, however public criticism of the move resulted in a government review being undertaken.

On Tuesday, a criminal court in Bangkok approved a new arrest warrant on two charges - one previous charge of reckless driving causing death, and a new charge of drug use.

Yoovidhya, the grandson of billionaire Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, has been accused of crashing a Ferrari into an on-duty policeman in central Bangkok.

Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert was on his motorbike at the time of the incident on 3 September 2012, and after being hit he was dragged down the road along with the bike for several dozen metres before Yoovidhya fled the scene.

Police traced oil streaks from the scene down several roads, arriving at the family's gated property.

Yoovidhya missed eight court summonses before authorities first issued an arrest warrant in 2017, but he disappeared shortly afterwards and according to his social media was "apparently abroad".

In the same year, Interpol issued a "red notice" for his arrest, which was later dropped in 2018.

Yoovidhya's lawyer, Samack Chouvaparnante, has said he had "no knowledge of the new warrant and had not been in touch with his client".

Evidence not previously used in police reports was reviewed by a panel earlier this month.

This included the suggestion that Yoovidhya's car was travelling at a quicker speed than previously thought.

There was also evidence from a blood test suggesting the driver, who was 27 at the time of the incident, had traces of cocaine in his system at the time.

An assistant national police chief has said: "We will submit a new report within two weeks so the public prosecutor can issue a issue a prosecution order."

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Red Bull, the energy drink giant that has also made its name as a major sporting brand thanks to its sponsorship of several football teams and presence in F1, says it has no direct links to Yoovidhya.

His father, Chalerm Yoovidhya, has part-ownership of the International Red Bull brand and is the second-richest person in Thailand, with an estimated fortune of £15.6bn, according to Forbes.

There have been accusations that there are higher powers helping Yoovidhya evade charges, however the police have denied this.