An arrest warrant was been issued Friday for Wuthipong Kochathamkhun, leader of Thailand's pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or red shirts, for an alleged offense against the monarchy.
A criminal court approved the arrest after the Crime Suppression Division submitted a petition accusing Wuthipong, also known as Ko Tee, of making remarks considered insulting to the monarchy during an interview with the foreign media, Xinhua reported.
The whereabouts of Wuthipong, a red-shirt leader in central Pathum Thani province, remain unknown and a hunt for him has begun.
Photos of Wuthipong have reportedly been posted at many border immigration checkpoints in a bid to prevent him from fleeing the country.
The army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Friday called on Wuthipong to surrender or it would be difficult to live in a society where he is hated by many.
