Businessman-on-the-run Nopporn Suppipat could be on his way to Canada after evading a court arrest warrant and fleeing to Cambodia, police said on Friday.
Chavalit Prasopsilp, chief of Metropolitan Police Bureau (MDB) Division 5, said after a meeting with investigators, that the former chairman of Wind Energy Holding Co (WEH) already has a visa to enter Canada and it is quite possible he is headed there.
The meeting of investigators on Friday was to follow up on cases in connection with sacked former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan and his alleged criminal network.
Po Lt Gen Chavalit and Sombat Milintachinda, an MPB chief investigator, confirmed Mr Nopporn had fled Thailand to Cambodia. Immigration police were on alert in case he tries to re-enter Thailand, Pol Lt Gen Sombat said.
He is believed to have crossed the border to Cambodia via the Phakkard checkpoint in Pong Namron district in Chanthaburi on Monday. The checkpoint is opposite Pailin province of Cambodia.
Police in the Cambodian town told the Phnom Penh Post on Thursday they could not confirm whether the fugitive was in the province.
The court arrest warrant for Mr Nopporn was issued on Tuesday, Dec 2.
The founder of WEH is accused of hiring people to kidnap a creditor to force him to slash the debt from 120 million to 20 million baht. The 43-year-old businessman faces several charges including lese majeste, extortion and intimidation. Police linked the gang with the network of Pol Lt Gen Pongpat.