Thai suspect 'has fled country'

The suspected killer of two British backpackers near the River Kwai bridge has fled with nearly £10,000 and border passes to enter Burma.

Thai police sources today admitted Somchai Wisetsing, 39, a police sergeant, disappeared last Thursday morning, several hours after Adam Lloyd, 25, and Vanessa Arscott, 23, were shot dead.

Shortly before he vanished, Wisetsing's wife withdrew 700,000 Thai baht from her bank account - enough for him to remain on the run in Thailand and Burma "almost indefinitely", said police, who added that Thai businessmen gave him the border passes.

There were claims today that police reacted too slowly, and that Wisetsing had time to go home and pack before fleeing.