Srisuwan Chanya, centre, petitions the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon and police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda for allegedly allowing former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to flee. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says security authorities are to blame for allowing former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to flee overseas.

He also conceded some state officials might have helped the former premier to escape.

After her no-show for its ruling in the rice-pledging scheme last Friday, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions issued an arrest warrant to bring Ms Yingluck before the court again on Sept 27 to hear its rescheduled ruling.

She was accused of dereliction of duty for failing to stop massive losses and corruption in the scheme. If convicted she is liable to a jail term of 10 years.

Ms Yingluck has reportedly fled to Dubai where her fugitive brother and ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra lives in self-exile.

Gen Prayut said yesterday the government could not deny responsibility for Ms Yingluck's escape, and security authorities were to blame. Still, appealing for public understanding, he said: "Thailand's border is more than 5,000 kilometres long, so there is no way for authorities to seal all areas," he said.

Gen Prayut said authorities are investigating how Ms Yingluck fled.

The prime minister said the government would wait to hear the court ruling on Ms Yingluck before deciding whether to rescind her passports.

"It is normal procedure. Legal aspects will be examined to determine what can be done but we have to wait for the court," Gen Prayut said.

He again denied the government intentionally let Ms Yingluck escape. People should consider the departure of both Ms Yingluck and her elder brother Thaksin together, he said.

"Who would let her flee? How come? Why do you think like this?"

Gen Prayut insisted that Ms Yingluck's escape was beyond anyone's grasp or expectation.

"I didn't think this would happen. I thought she would go to court, following procedure. I respected her," he said.

Asked what would happen if Ms Yingluck joins her brother, Mr Thaksin, in causing political mischief from overseas, Gen Prayut said the public should know better than dancing to their tune.

Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said the Foreign Ministry will have to coordinate with the police before it proceeds to revoke her passports.

He said he has ordered all police units including the Immigration Bureau to locate Ms Yingluck and report their findings by Sept 1. The information is needed to determine if she has sneaked out of the country and will be presented to the Supreme Court. If it can be established she has fled, the ruling will be given in her absence.

Thai Interpol has asked its counterparts in 190 countries including the United Arab Emirates to locate Ms Yingluck following reports that she has joined her brother in Dubai, he said.

Police are investigating whether Pol Col Wathanyu Watcharapalothai, who reportedly works as a security officer for Ms Yingluck, had helped her flee. He said it is unclear whether Pol Col Wathanyu is still in police service. "Thailand is so big. If you can drive, you can flee," said Pol Gen Srivara.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said it is under the Foreign Ministry's jurisdiction to decide whether to revoke Ms Yingluck's passport while noting that fleeing a court judgement does not automatically justify passport revocation.

He also said the matter looks complicated because there is no clear information about Ms Yingluck who, according to her lawyer, could not attend the Friday hearing as she was suffering from Meniere's disease -- a complication of the inner ear known to cause dizzy spells and migraines.

If she is found guilty as charged, she is likely to face an additional sentence for fleeing, he said.

Mr Wissanu said Ms Yingluck's whereabouts will not affect the process of seizing her assets to pay for losses incurred in the rice-pledging scheme. She is required to pay 35.7 billion baht for the damage resulting from the programme.

Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan said even if Ms Yingluck is eligible to appeal under the new charter, an organic law governing procedures, yet to be enforced, requires her to lodge an appeal in person. Also, under the organic law, the statute of limitations never expires, meaning she will have to keep running.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday dismissed criticism of the government following Ms Yingluck's flight, saying it was unexpected and security authorities did their best. He could not say if she would seek political asylum.

Gen Prawit also shrugged off a petition filed against him for dereliction of duty after Ms Yingluck's escape. Srisuwan Chanya, secretary-general of the Constitution Protection Organisation, submitted the complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Gen Prawit and police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda for "letting her go".