Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisad said he had talked with Supreme Commander General Surapong Suwana-at and National Security Council chief Tawip Netniyom about the report.

“We all agreed that we did not have [sufficient] information about the report about Wutthipong Kotchathamkhun. The only information we have is from the media,” he said.

Chalermchai added that he was not sure if Wutthipong, who is also known as “Koh Tee”, was arrested in the neighbouring country because Lao territory was not under his jurisdiction.

“We do not know whether the report is false or not,” he said.

Thai authorities have asked Laos to help capture Wutthipong, who is wanted in Thailand on 21 charges, including lese majeste.

Since the military coup in May 2014, Wutthipong has been living in exile in Laos, where he has regularly hosted a programme broadcast on YouTube. In the programme, he has talked about preparations for an armed “liberation” to form a so-called “federation of Thailand”.

“We do not have enough information on the matter, so we will avoid giving an opinion as it could possibly impact the relationship [with Laos],” Chalermchai said.

Meanwhile, deputy police spokesman Pol Colonel Krissana Pattanacharoen said police would verify the accuracy of the report.

A rumour that Wutthipong was captured in Laos, brought back to Thai soil and killed was first propagated by another fugitive red-shirt supporter, Jom Phetpradab, who is taking refuge in the United States.