To maintain balance and avoid bias, we will later look at 2 controversial cases. One in Thailand, and the other in England
The Thai court system is made up of the Constitutional Court, the Courts of Justice, the Administrative Court, and the Military Court.
Most cases are initially heard in the local provincial courts of justice. They are the courts of first instance. Criminal, Matrimonial, Juvenile etc
In most cases, you can seek leave to appeal to one of the Courts of Appeal.
The final arbitration is with the judges of Thailand’s Supreme Court.
There is only one supreme court in the Thai judicial system and it meets in Bangkok. The usual quorum is 3 judges but the President of the Supreme Court may appoint more in complex cases.
A major concern is the cost of obtaining justice in Thailand. Lawyers, the world over, are expensive. As costs are almost never awarded, the result is that only the rich and powerful can use lawyers to pursue their claims in court.
The courts also require a filing fee of 2% before any proceedings for compensation for an alleged transgression can even be started.
Although the Military Court normally has jurisdiction only over members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, in the period following the 2014 coup d’état they were given legal powers of jurisdiction over civilians.
The Military Court is part of the Defense ministry and is headed by the Judge Advocate General, a military appointment. It is not part of the Thai Ministry of Justice. Martial law was effective from 25 May 2014 to 12 September 2016.
The Red Bull Heir accused of causing the death of a Thai police officer by driving recklessly and leaving the scene
Some background to the Yoovidhya family
The current head of the family, Chalerm Yoovidhya, is the eldest son of Chaleo Yoovidhya, the originator and co-creator of the Red Bull brand of energy drinks.
His brother runs the Red Bull empire in Thailand and is a main board director of one of Thailand’s big banks, Kasikorn. Forbes estimates family wealth at 696 billion baht, making them the second richest family in Thailand.
Chalerm has three children,Varangkana Kritakara, Varit, and – the heir to the family fortune – Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya.
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