Government in dark on 'Kotee capture'

Government in dark on 'Kotee capture'

Wuthipong 'Kotee' Kochathamakun was last seen in public at a red-shirt political rally in Bangkok in early 2014, before the coup, after which he was charged with lese majeste over a speech. (Screen grab Vice TV)
Wuthipong 'Kotee' Kochathamakun was last seen in public at a red-shirt political rally in Bangkok in early 2014, before the coup, after which he was charged with lese majeste over a speech. (Screen grab Vice TV)

The government and security officials have refused to confirm rumours that fugitive red-shirt hardliner and lese majeste suspect Wuthipong "Kotee" Kochathamakun is being held in Laos.

Rumours that Mr Wuthipong was being detained in Laos have spread online since Sunday evening. However, there was no official confirmation Monday from Thai officials.

"I don't know [about the arrest]," Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said when he was asked by reporters.

Gen Prawit earlier said the government has sought cooperation from Vientiane to locate Mr Wuthipong and prevent his group criticising the Thai regime via community radio stations based in Laos.

Army chief Chalermchai Sitthisad echoed Gen Prawit, by saying the army could not confirm the rumour and that it was the Foreign Ministry's responsibility to check on whether the story was true.

Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen also said that Thai authorities had yet to verify if the rumour was true.

People linked to red-shirt networks, however, said the speculation was true. Jom Petchpradab, a YouTube-based TV anchor, reportedly living in the United States, posted on his Facebook page a message saying he had received confirmation Mr Wuthipong and two associates were detained by a group of about 10 armed men on Saturday.

He said they were taken to a secret location where they were assaulted and tasered by the men. Mr Jom claimed Mr Wuthipong's associates later managed to escape their captors and flee to safety. They said the captors spoke Thai and they had no idea where Mr Wuthipong was being held now, according to Mr Jom.

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 found in a house in Pathum Thani in March.

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