Soldiers reached Yongyuth's house in Mae Chan district in northern Thai province Chiang Rai late in the morning but did not go in to search because the house was closed and there were only caretakers there.

Another team of soldiers were sent to search the house of Yongyuth in Bangkok Wednesday night, but Yongyuth was not there. Ten forestry officials were found gathering at the house.

Manager Online quoted sources as saying that Yongyuth and Kengkaj Srihasarn, director of northern forest protection office, might have fled to the Golden Paradise Resort Hotel at the Golden Triangle in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chichob, who is close to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, reported himself to the Administrative Reform Council (ARC) Thursday at the command of the martial authority that took over the government in Tuesday night's coup.

Newin arrived at the Army headquarters in central Bangkok around noon. He had called in to express his will to obey the command of the ARC, which on Wednesday ordered him and Yongyuth to report to the army headquarters by Thursday.

The ARC did not specify the punishment if both failed to report, saying the order was aimed at peace and stability of the current situations.