Prisoner on the loose! Chaowalit Thongduang, convicted of attempted murder, escaped from hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Authorities are offering a 100,000 baht reward for any information that leads to his recapture. #manhunt #escapedprisoner #Thailand #NakhonSiThammarat #trending #touristalert
Escaped Prisoner on the Loose
Nakhon Si Thammarat authorities have launched a manhunt for Chaowalit Thongduang, a 37-year-old prisoner convicted of attempted murder. Thongduang escaped from a hospital where he was being treated early on Sunday morning. He had been serving a 20-year and six-month sentence at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison for attempted murders related to an armed attack on police during an attempted abduction in 2019.
From Prison to Hospital
Thongduang began serving his sentence at Phatthalung Prison in January 2022 and was transferred to Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison later that year. On October 20, he was taken by prison warders to Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for dental treatment. The appointment was postponed, and while waiting, Thongduang suddenly collapsed. He was then chained to a bed on the 6th floor of the hospital complex, with two warders assigned to watch over him.
Disappearance and Manhunt
On Sunday morning, Thongduang was discovered to be missing from his hospital room. The warders reported the disappearance to Muang police station, and both were held for questioning. Sahakarn Phetnarin, director-general of the Department of Corrections, ordered the Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison commander to launch a hunt for Thongduang and recapture him. Police and soldiers were assigned to assist in the search.
Investigation and Reward
A fact-finding committee, chaired by a deputy director-general, has been set up to investigate the incident. The prison commander has offered a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to Thongduang’s recapture.
Criminal Background
Thongduang is known to have been involved in at least 12 criminal cases between 2016 and 2012, including murder, attempted murder, intrusion, and illegal possession of military-grade weapons and explosives. Some of the cases are still ongoing in the courts.
National Police Chief’s Instructions
In Bangkok, Pol Lt Gen Achayon Kraithong, the police spokesman, said that national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol ordered Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomchit, the Provincial Police Region 8 commissioner, to provide police support as requested in the manhunt for the escaped prisoner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chaowalit Thongduang escape from the hospital?
Chaowalit Thongduang, a prisoner convicted of attempted murder, escaped from Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital early on Sunday morning. He had been transferred there for dental treatment but collapsed while waiting for the appointment to be rescheduled. Thongduang was subsequently chained to a bed on the 6th floor of the hospital complex, with two warders assigned to watch over him. On Sunday morning, he was found to be missing from his room.
What actions are being taken to recapture the escaped prisoner?
Authorities in Nakhon Si Thammarat have launched a manhunt for Chaowalit Thongduang, with the prison commander directing the search. Police and soldiers have been assigned to assist in the effort. Additionally, a fact-finding committee, chaired by a deputy director-general, has been established to investigate the incident. The prison commander has also offered a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to Thongduang’s recapture.
What is the criminal background of the escaped prisoner?
Chaowalit Thongduang has been involved in at least 12 criminal cases between 2016 and 2012, including murder, attempted murder, intrusion, and illegal possession of military-grade weapons and explosives. Some of these cases are still ongoing in the courts. Thongduang had been serving a 20-year and six-month sentence for attempted murders related to an armed attack on police during an attempted abduction in 2019.
