12-11-2023 (BANGKOK) Authorities have called for a temporary evacuation of residents in a mountainous village as the search intensifies for escaped prisoner Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng Nanod. The escape followed a shootout with police on Wednesday in the Palian district of Trang.
The manhunt for Chaowalit has focused on the Banthad mountain range, with authorities from Manang and Thungwa, both adjacent districts in Satun province, setting up around-the-clock checkpoints to screen individuals. It is believed that Chaowalit, accompanied by armed bodyguards, fled towards the eastern side of the mountain range. A coordinated effort involving police, forest patrol officers, and personnel from the Crime Suppression Division has been deployed for the search.
In Satun province, officers are covering the Banthad wildlife sanctuary, while dozens of personnel from Provincial Police Region 9 and local police in Trang are navigating the mountainous areas using motorcycles.
Residents of Bantra village, including Suthon (surname withheld), have complied with police requests to vacate the areas for two days, prioritizing their safety. Suthon expressed concern for his safety and refrained from going to work at a rubber plantation until the fugitive is apprehended.
Chokechai Limma, assistant village head, emphasised that villagers are being advised to avoid the forest and allow the police to conduct their operations.
Pairote Damplab, a resident in Satun’s Manang district, highlighted that the evacuation order is impacting a group of indigenous Mani people who earn a living by collecting forest items. Despite the inconvenience, Damplab expressed hope that the escaped prisoner would be captured soon.
In a related development, police from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) executed a raid on a house in Phatthalung’s Muang district on Saturday. The search aimed to uncover evidence of the house owner’s alleged involvement in aiding Chaowalit’s escape. Two mobile phones were seized during the search, and the house owner, identified only as Kasichart and also Chaowalit’s cousin, was taken to Muang Phatthalung station for questioning. The police asserted that criminal charges would be filed if there is substantial evidence of assistance in Chaowalit’s escape.
Chaowalit, 37, serving time for attempted murder, escaped from Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on October 22. Despite being restrained to the bed and wearing leg chains, he managed to escape overnight after being admitted for dental treatment, claiming severe leg pains. The manhunt continues as authorities work to ensure the safety of the public and bring the fugitive to justice.
