Arisman fears being murdered in jail

Kokaew said he and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan met Arisman in Cambodia during a party last weekend.

Kokaew said Jatuporn urged Arisman to surrender to fight the terrorism charge and Jatuporn would ensure that Arisman would be released on bail.

However, Arisaman replied that he feared he would be killed in prison. Kokaew quoted Arisman as saying he was the next target after Maj General Khattiya Sawasdipol, who was killed during the protests last year.

"But Jatuporn told him that there was nothing to fear because the political situation had changed and the Corrections Department was now under the government's control. The case would also be a political case so he would be released on bail," Kokaew said.

Arisman fled the country after troops were deployed to crush the red-shirt protesters at the Ratchaprasong Intersection on May 19 last year.

Kokaew said he and Jatuporn did not ask Arisman where he has been hiding for fear it would not be safe for the red-shirt leader.

Kokaew and Jatuporn were attending a social function held to receive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who visited Cambodia to make a speech on the economy.

Korkaew Pikulthong said he had asked Cambodian officials to open more immigration-check counters to facilitate the expected huge number of red shirt visitors to Cambodia.

 He said after they check in at the border, a security-escort convoy will lead them to a prepared place to stay.