Former national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri, who is wanted for alleged malfeasance in connection with illegal activities during the Bike for Mum event last year, has fled abroad, a senior police officer said.
However, this will not affect the process of prosecuting him as the case's statute of limitation lasts for 15 years, deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said.
Prawut Thavornsiri.
Pol Gen Prawut, who took part in activities preparing for the event, is accused of dereliction of duty and malfeasance involving the relocation of police radio signal transmission towers from Bang Chan police station to the Baiyoke Tower in Pratunam.
The towers were moved following the order of a private company without permission from authorities, police sources said.
Police have evidence of his alleged wrongdoing during the mass cycling event last August, Pol Lt Gen Srivara said.
Pol Gen Prawut resigned from the police force in late October last year after he was linked with a lese majeste case involving three suspects — Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa; Suriyan Sucharitpolwong, a well-known fortune-teller, also known as Mor Yong; and his close aide Jirawong Watthanathewasilp.
Pol Maj Prakrom was found hanged while in military custody in October. Suriyan died of blood infection in the following month last year. Sources said it is suspected Pol Maj Prakrom signed the order to relocate the towers.