Bangkok-
Officers of Provincial Police Region 5 told the Associated Press yesterday, August 6, that the phone of a key witness in the 2012 hit-and-run case involving Vorayuth Yoovidhya was stolen and destroyed by a colleague of his.
Following the investigation of the fatal accident on July 30, Jaruchart Martthong’s phone had disappeared, creating public doubt that it was intentionally stolen as it might be evidence of his sudden death.
His relatives and co-workers were being interrogated by Provincial Police Region 5, including his employer, Chuchai Lertpongadisorn, whose aide had reportedly stole the missing phone from the hospital.
Police Major General Prachuap Wongsuk, chief of Chiang Mai’s Investigation Division, told Associated Press: “We questioned Chuchai after Jaruchart’s relatives told us that his aide came and asked for the phone.”
So far, the former Chiang Mai senator had no personal involvement with the missing device according to Major General Prachuap. The interrogation had also led to the questioning of his former aide, known as Pasin Akaradejthanachot.
Pasin allegedly admitted the theft, according to Prachuap, and claimed that he was close to the deceased and had stolen and destroyed the phone to delete all pictures of him because he did not want to be involved with the hit-and-run case as he was a candidate in a local election in Su Thep district.
Initially, Pasin was charged for theft. Further charges were under the consideration of Jaruchart’s family. Meanwhile, the investigation and the search for the cause of death of Jaruchart Martthong would proceed. At this time, police state that the death of Jaruchart is still being considered an accident. They have performed multiple post mortem examinations and reviewed in full the released CCTV from the incident and state that Jaruchart simply appeared to be driving drunk without a helmet and lost control of his motorbike.