Authorities examine motorcycles believed to be used by debt collectors of the country's biggest loan shark in Pathum Thani province on Wednesday. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)

Law enforcement authorities swept through scores of properties in Pathum Thani on Wednesday as the hunt continued for assets connected to the country's biggest loan shark network.

The dismantling of the network resumed on Wednesday afternoon when soldiers, police and officials of the Department of Special Investigation swooped on numerous houses in Ratanakosin 200 Years housing estate in Thanyaburi district. The houses were said to have been rented to debt collectors of Wichai Panngern who is accused of being the country's biggest loan shark.

They impounded 50 Honda CBR motorcycles, four passenger cars and a number of safes. No one was found in the houses. Officials believe the occupiers escaped just before the raid on the loan shark network started on Tuesday.

Authorities have warrants for the arrest of Mr Wichai, 46, and suspected associate Chaiwut Wiwatana-areekul, 30. Both are Pathumi Thani residents.

On Tuesday officials raided about 20 locations believed to belong to their nationwide illegal lending network, including the two suspects' houses and an apartment building in Thanyaburi and Lam Luk Ka districts in Pathum Thani.

In the raids, authorities found no suspects, only belongings which indicated that they had just escaped.

Air-conditioners at the places were still operating, and there were signs of the suspects climbing out of the residences and racing through the backyards.

Local people said gang members were seen fleeing from the expensively decorated places with various objects including computers about an hour before the raid on Tuesday. Authorities seized about 10 luxury vehicles and a dozen safes on Tuesday.

Impounded assets were estimated at hundreds of millions of baht. Officials are giving out little information about the case as the two prime suspects remain at large.

Searches on Tuesday (photos by Pongpat Wongyala)