Don suspects the abduction reports about lese majeste violator Wutthipong Kotchathamkhun, better known as “Koh Tee”, are a hoax to stir social currents.

Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said it was possible the reports stemmed from a certain objective, given that several Pheu Thai figures will her verdicts this month in politically charged cases.

“[Wutthipong] is actually not a top-list person,” Udomdej said “The police are responsible to track those who have been found guilty and fled [from the country]. If there’s a report that he disappeared, those who are in charge should follow up whether that is true.”

National Security Council secretary general Taweep Netniyom said senior officials agreed that the supposed abduction was hard to believe.

But he said the authorities will try verifying if it had happened.

The government has been in contact with Lao officials and has not received confirmation Wutthipong is living in exile in Laos, he said.