There are conflicting stories circulating in the media in relation to the fate of an escaped convict in southern Thailand.
Earlier, Thai PBS World had reported that Chavalit Thongduang died in a shootout with police.
However, a report from Nation Thailand says Itthipol Atchariyapradit, deputy national police chief, has dismissed those reports, saying he is in charge of the manhunt and hasn’t heard anything about the fugitive being killed.
We will keep you updated on this developing story.
ORIGINAL STORY:
After weeks on the run, an escaped convict has been shot dead in southern Thailand during an exchange of gunfire with police. Thai PBS World reports that Chavalit Thongduang was killed following a shootout on a remote mountain ridge between the southern provinces of Trang and Phatthalung.
Chavalit was undergoing dental treatment at Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat hospital on October 22 when he faked a fainting spell and managed to flee the facility, reportedly with accomplices who were later arrested and charged.
He has been on the run ever since, with Thailand’s acting assistant police chief warning that he was armed and dangerous.
Chavalit was serving a 21-year prison sentence for robbery and firearms charges and had a number of other charges pending. The authorities had offered a reward of 1 million baht for any information that would lead to his capture.
According to the report, police were acting on a tip-off when they surrounded a village on the mountain ridge where shooting then broke out. Once the gunfire subsided, Chavalit’s body was subsequently found in the village.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
