Bangkok Post

The two are Winai Phonphaipharn, 50, the kamnan of tambon Samet of Chon Buri's Muang district, and Prasong Charoenpol, 41, the driver of the Lexus.

Investigators on Tuesday questioned them about whether they provided shelter and assistance to Somchai, aka Kamnan Poh.

The pair were summonsed as informants, not witnesses or suspects at this stage, Pol Col Niran Narmsuwan, superintendent of CSD’s sub-division 2, said.

Winai Phonphaipharn, the kamnan of tambon Samet of Chon Buri's Muang district. (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na sakolnakorn)

Mr Winai claimed he learned of Mr Somchai’s presence in Chon Buri province only on the day he was apprehended, Pol Col Niran said.

Prior to the arrest, a man he described as a "coordinator" contacted him and asked him to collect Somchai from his home in tambon Saen Suk of Muang district, Chon Buri, and accompany him in a car to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok. 

Mr Winai said he would give full cooperation to police.  

Mr Prasong also claimed he found out only that day that the former mayor of Saen Suk municipality was back in town, but admitted to driving for him.

Police also plan to summons Somchai's personal nurse, who also accompanied him in the vehicle.

Earlier, police could not send the woman a summons because her place of residence did not match the data recorded in her domicile registration, resulting in a delay, Pol Col Niran said. 

Last week, police questioned the director, the registrar and the security chief of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital as part of an ongoing investigation to identify people who have illegally provided shelter for Somchai while he was a fugitive.

The people listed on the domicile registration of house No.3 in tambon Saen Suk, where police believe Somchai was hiding, will also be investigated for involvement in sheltering him.

Somchai is the owner of the house, according to police.