Anyone seen this man?
Thailand’s acting assistant police chief has issued a warning to officers attempting to track down a convict who escaped from a Nakhon Si Thammarat hospital.
According to Itthiphol Atchariyapradit, the man is armed and dangerous and he has warned police to exercise caution. Thai PBS World reports that Itthiphol flew from Bangkok to the southern province yesterday morning in order to meet with officers working on the case.
Chavalit Thongduang, convicted for robbery and the possession of illegal firearms, escaped from the hospital last weekend. It’s understood he had been receiving dental treatment at the facility. He is currently facing additional charges of murder, attempted murder, and money laundering, with those court cases pending.
Two women who are suspected of helping him abscond have been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting. Both women, who have been named only as “Wilawan” and “Yuwares”, deny the charges. Meanwhile, police are continuing to look for another two suspects they believe were involved in arranging Chavalit’s escape.
An unnamed source in the Corrections Department says six officers had been assigned to keep an eye on the prisoner while he was at the hospital. Those officers are now being investigated to determine if they had any role in his escape.
According to the same source, Chavalit received “VIP treatment” in prison as a result of his alleged close connection to an unnamed national politician.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
