1-6-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesian police have arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in facilitating the escape of Chaowalit Thongduang, Thailand’s most wanted fugitive, who had been on the run in Indonesia. The arrests were made in connection with aiding Chaowalit during his time in the country, including procuring fake identification documents.
Head of the North Sumatra Police Intermediate Division, Inspector General Krishna Murti, confirmed the arrests. “Two people were arrested who facilitated the escape, including making fake Aceh ID cards.
Chaowalit, also known by his alias “Sia Paeng Nanod,” was apprehended by the National Police Team led by Commissioner Audie S Latuheru in Bali on Thursday (May 30). The fugitive has been transferred to Jakarta, where a joint team at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit is currently interrogating him.
“The person concerned is currently still being questioned by a joint team from Bareskrim Polri, North Sumatra Police and Bali Police to investigate whether there is any connection with networks in Indonesia,” Krishna Murti added.
During his time on the run in Indonesia, Chaowalit reportedly obtained a fake ID card bearing the name “Sulaiman,” claiming to be a resident of Aceh. He initially stopped in Medan, North Sumatra, before eventually making his way to Bali, where he was ultimately apprehended in an apartment.
Chaowalit’s arrest in Bali made headlines in Thai media outlets, including the Bangkok Post. According to reports, Chaowalit was a prisoner who had escaped from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital in Thailand in October 2023, while serving time for attempted murder and facing multiple other criminal charges, including murder and illegal possession of firearms.
On December 25, Chaowalit was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for attempted murder in connection with a shooting incident at a restaurant in Muang District, Phatthalung, in September 2019. Despite a massive manhunt, the inmate managed to evade capture and was believed to have fled Thailand by speedboat from Satun province.
During his time on the run, Chaowalit released videos containing confessions and claims of unfair treatment, alleging that he was the sole person convicted for crimes in which many others were involved. He also claimed that his bail application in a pending murder case had not been handled fairly, although this was denied by the Justice Minister.
