NSC chief says 'Kotee' still hiding in Laos

NSC chief says 'Kotee' still hiding in Laos

Fugitive red-shirt hardliner and lese majeste suspect Wuthipong "Kotee" Kochathamakun is still hiding in Laos, National Security Council (NSC) chief Thawip Netniyom says.

Despite previous media reports suggesting Mr Wuthipong had fled to Cambodia, Gen Thawip said he could confirm the suspect is still is in Laos but has apparently scaled back his political activities.

Thai authorities continue to seek cooperation from their counterparts in Laos in the hunt for Mr Wuthipong, Gen Thawip said.

"No, at the moment there has not been any progress [with Lao authorities detaining Mr Wuthipong and handing him over to the Thai authorities as requested]," Gen Thawip said.

"This is simply an act of requesting cooperation from a neighbour."

Mr Wuthipong, who reportedly fled to Laos after a warrant was issued for his arrest in April 2014 on a lese majeste charge, has also been implicated in another case, in which a cache of weapons was confiscated from a house in Pathum Thani province in March.

Following the May 22 bombing at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok, army chief Chalermchai Sitthisat said information had come to light suggesting the attack was carried out by Mr Wuthipong's network.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said last Wednesday there was no evidence suggesting Watana Pumret, the arrested chief suspect in the hospital bombing, was linked to Mr Wuthipong.

Following rumours earlier last month that Mr Wuthipong had travelled to Cambodia from Laos, 2nd Army chief Lt Gen Wichai Shaechoho said security agencies had monitored the movements of Mr Wuthipong, who was said to have fled to Cambodia after Thai authorities sought cooperation from Vientiane to search for him and crack down on his group's activities.

Lt Gen Wichai said it was believed Mr Wuthipong had yet to enter Cambodia and was hiding in a border area.

Authorities could not pinpoint his exact whereabouts.

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