Chon Buri Provincial Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Somchai, after he failed to appear to hear a Supreme Court verdict on corruption charges levelled against him.

The court has twice postponed reading the verdict, after defence lawyers claimed Somchai's health was failing.

On March 22 the director of a private hospital testified that Somchai was too ill to appear in court.

The case, in which Somchai is accused of master-minding corrupt land deals worth Bt93 million in Chon Buri, is more than a decade old. The lower courts found Somchai guilty as charged and sentenced him to five years and four months in jail.

That is the least of Somchai's trouble. Also before the Supreme Court are allegations that he masterminded a failed attempt on a rival's life.

The rival was eventually killed by another group of gunmen unconnected to Somchai.

The lower courts have passed guilty verdicts and if Somchai's appeal fails he could face 25 years in jail.

Provincial Police Region 2 Commissioner Lt-General Jong-rak Juthanon yesterday led more than 20 police officers in a sweep of Somchai's home in Chon Buri.

He was not there.

Jongrak said police in Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat were now involved in the manhunt.

Chon Buri police chief Maj-General Anan Charoenchasri said Somchai's wife claimed he had left the house a week ago but would not tell them where he had gone.

"We are now looking for leads as to his whereabouts," said Anan.

Police believe he may have fled to Cambodia.