Nakhon Si Thammarat, Southern Thailand–
Police are hunting for a Thai prisoner who escaped while he was being treated at a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The Department of Corrections issued an announcement earlier this week about the escape. They stated that the prisoner is Mr. Chaowalit Thongduang, 37. He has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment at Phatthuang Provincial Prison for theft and firearms offences. He was later moved to Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison after he was accused of mafia-like activities inside the prison. He has now been imprisoned for almost one year.
The Department of Corrections was notified by the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison earlier this week that the prisoner was being treated for dental work at the Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital. He allegedly fainted and had to be admitted at the hospital during his dental work but then escaped from the hospital at night.
The Department of Corrections is offering 100,000 baht to anyone who gives details that lead to the arrest of the escaped prisoner.
The Department of Corrections later issued another announcement on Tuesday (October 24th). The announcement stated that the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison Commander and three officers in the prison have been transferred to the Department of Corrections while an investigation continues into how the prisoner escaped from the hospital and if he had help.
The Surat Thani Provincial Prison Commander is now taking care of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison.
