Khattiya had said his failure to appear for the May 19 verdict-reading session was because he was attending his child's graduation in the United States, but the court previously found insufficient evidence to justify his excuse and issued an arrest warrant.

Taken to the Criminal Court yesterday morning, Khattiya proposed bail based on his position in the Royal Thai Army.

However, the court said he could not secure bail this time on the basis of his rank and salary, and would have to provide more assets.

Late yesterday, the court asked Khattiya about his reasons for failing to attend the verdict reading. He insisted that he had "no intention of escaping", but had gone to his daughter's graduation ceremony in the US.

The court decided to accept his excuse and granted him bail without having to place additional assets. It instructed him to attend court at 9am on June 19 without fail.

National police chief Seripisut Temiyavej - then an inspector-general - has filed two defamation lawsuits against Khattiya.

In the first case, Seripisut claims that in interviews with the Naew Na newspaper, Khattiya said Seripi-sut had raided a popular Bangkok gambling den to bolster his reputation and improve his promotion chances.

In addition, Khattiya said Seripisut had attempted to have his brother-in-law - Lt-Colonel Thavornsak Thepchat-ree - made Metropolitan Police commissioner.

The remarks were published on February 20 and February 21 last year.

Another defamation allegation brought by Seripisut against Khattiya was for his remarks published in the Thai Rath newspaper.

The court postponed a hearing into this case to June 26.