Thai PM orders deeper look into death of witness in Red Bull hit-and-run case

BANGKOK: 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 (Jul 30), 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.

READ: Thai Red Bull distances itself from hit-and-run case as boycott calls grow

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 Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to ensure justice and clear public suspicion over the case, Traisulee said in a statement on Sunday.

"The prime minister reiterates that the government will help create justice in the case. Any wrongdoers will be punished. This case will not be unresolved in the public's mind," she said.

Police said Jaruchart had died at hospital after crashing with another motorcycle driver, who was also injured but had left hospital.