Absconders forcing courts to rethink bail

A judge from the court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that raising the amount of surety required was an option to discourage possible escape.

However, the judge said the defendant's rights and freedom would also have to be taken into consideration and the matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

"We should not be too strict. We must also care about the rights and freedom of the defendant as long as a court verdict is not out. If the defendant flees, the surety will be seized and he will be hunted down for arrest. Also, it is possible that the court will acquit the defendant," the judge said.

The judge was speaking after Vatana Asavahame, chairman of the ruling coalition Puea Pandin Party, failed to show up to hear the court's verdict in a corruption case against him over the controversial Klong Dan wastewater management project. Vatana is accused of abusing his authority when serving as deputy interior minister and unlawfully obtaining land that was later used for the project.

The judge said the surety in Vatana's case was Bt2 million, which was higher than what was requested in similar cases. "This case carries a maximum penalty of capital punishment, but when compared to other cases with similar penalty, the requested surety of Bt2 million is considered very high," the judge said.

Meanwhile, police yesterday warned people against sheltering the fugitive politician.

Police General Jongrak Juthanond, the deputy national police chief responsible for finding Vatana, said police stations in Samut Prakan province and Bangkok's Suan Luang district, where the fugitive politician has homes, were ordered to keep 24-hour surveillance of the places. The Immigration Police have also been instructed to look out for Vatana attempting to leave the country, he added.

Jongrak said police would try to find Vatana and produce him before the court by August 18, as stated in the arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court.

"If we find Vatana in anyone's house, that person will face legal action," Jongrak said. He added that all Vatana's relatives contacted by police had insisted they were unaware of his whereabouts.

"Police will not accept any conditions for his surrender," the officer said.

National police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan yesterday said the police would try to prevent Vatana from fleeing the country. He insisted there had been no "political orders" for preferential treatment towards the fugitive politician.