In response to a rumour that gunman Montree Saenkham, 40, had decided to surrender, Crime Suppression Police Superintendent Col Warayuth Sukhawat said he had been contacted by a former local politician in Kanchanaburi who claimed he would accompany Montree when the fugitive turned himself in today.

Warayuth said he had ordered officials to check if this was likely to happen. However, police were still carrying out a previous order to watch three locations in Bangkok as well as border areas in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi in case the suspect tried to flee the country.

Earlier yesterday, Metropolitan Police Division 9 Commander Maj Gen Phanurat Meephian said officers were looking for Montree in possible places where he may have been hiding. He said Montree could have fled to Chanthaburi, where he used to work and where he met his former wife Nittaya Nutadee, 32.

Another possibility was Kanchanaburi, where he used to go hunting with friends. Two more possible hideouts were the border town of Poi Pet, where he used to operate a business, and his hometown in Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district, he said.

Phanurat said the police would guarantee justice and security for Montree if he turned himself in. But if the police located him and he resisted arrest, officers may have to shoot to kill because Montree was skilled with firearms and was a good marksman. On Tuesday night Montree allegedly shot his former sister-in-law Siriphorn Nutadee and her husband Suchart after the two had dinner with three police officers. Siriphorn was later pronounced dead in hospital, while her husband was slightly wounded.

Montree  then allegedly shot dead Police Senior Sergeant Major Banjong Katemanee and Metro-politan Police Division 9 deputy commander Pol Colonel Praphon Klaekosol, 54, who was having an affair with Nittaya. Pol Lt Colonel Natthaphong Boolong was also shot. He was said to be unconscious when Montree fled in his car.

Montree's actions were believed to have been caused by his anger at Nittaya's relationship with Praphon. His ex-wife had repeatedly refused his attempts to get back together with her. But police are also looking into other possible motives.