Famed plastic surgeon released on bail

The court allowed Kavithat Hengsawat to be released on bail after he posted Bt3 million worth of assets as a guarantee.

Earlier in the day, the court approved the investigators' request to detain Kavithat, who changed name from Phaisarn, for 12 days from November 13 to 24 pending further investigation.

Kavithat was arrested on Wednesday for having allegedly masterminded the killing of Apassanan Thitichotechaipreecha, 51.

She was shot dead in front of her house in Lard Prao on September 13 last year after she came out to launch both legal and PR crusades against the surgeon who she said caused her face to be disfigured by injecting liquid silicone solution into her face.

Kavithat denied charges and reserved his rights to testify in court.

The woman's crusades led to an investigation and finding that the cosmetic surgery methods used by Kavithat's Bio Clinic had never been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Police arrested Kavithat at his Bio Clinic Pattaya Branch on Wednesday.

Kavithat said he did not know why police arrested him.

Police told the court that they need to interrogate seven more witnesses before deciding whether to seek prosecution against the surgeon.

Police alleged that Kavithat had his brother, Sakda Hengsawat, hire two gunmen to kill the woman. Sakda is still on the run.

Earlier, police have arrested the two gunmen, Chaturon Benkul, 25, and Prakorb Srilad, 29. The two implicated Sakda.