The Net Is Closing

The net is closing in on the fugitive Dr Pipat Luaprasitkul, who is wanted on charges of assault and manslaughter in relation to the death of his wife last month.

When Wannee Luaprasitkul was found, it appeared she had been severely beaten - she later died in hospital.

The Interior Ministry yesterday approved an arrest warrant for Pipat, and vowed to arrest the relatives of his slain wife if police could prove their silence had been bought. Police are suspicious because they are receiving inconsistent testimony from family members. Metropolitan Police Division 5 Deputy Commander Paiboon Ariyaway said police did not know where Pipat was. He has not been seen since he resigned from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) on July 28.

His wife died of severe head and internal injuries on July 19. An Interior Ministry inspector-general, Krit Teerachaiyuti, said yesterday he had approved the warrant because police had strong evidence against Pipat. Besides, Pipat had twice failed to report to police as arranged.

Assistant metropolitan police commissioner Maj General Jakthip Kulchorn na Ayutthaya said police had ordered that Pipat's bank accounts be checked to determine whether he had transferred money to anyone. "If police find anyone assisting him in trying to cover up any wrongdoing, we will also arrest that person," Jakthip said.