POLITICS
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM & THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA
Police are looking for politician Vatana Asavahame after receiving an arrest warrant from the Supreme Court, but admit they don't know where he is. The court issued the warrant after he failed to turn up to hear the verdict in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant corruption case.
Copies of the warrant were being forwarded to police across the country to stop him leaving the country, deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanont said after receiving the warrant from the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.
There had been no reports of Mr Vatana having left the country.
Police said he had not been seen at his residence in Samut Prakan or another home in Phatthanakan Soi 20 in Suan Luang district in Bangkok.
Nor had Mr Vatana contacted police to surrender.
''We have no clues to his whereabouts. By now he should be aware that the court has issued the warrant. If police find him, he will be arrested,'' Pol Lt-Gen Jongrak said.
A Supreme Court source said the court may consider raising bail to 100 million baht in future to ensure defendants return to hear the verdict.
As police in Bangkok and Samut Prakan were searching for the chief adviser of the Puea Pandin party, police in Chiang Rai were still awaiting the warrant.
Some believe Mr Vatana could try to cross the border at the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen district, and hide in Burma. Pol Col Surachai Thianchai, Chiang Saen police chief, said police in the northern province could not act until they receive the warrant.
The court will now read the verdict on Aug 18.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Next
