Here’s a tale that revolves around the ominous jungle terrain and relentless heavy rains in Trang province, where an adrenaline-pumping manhunt is ongoing. The elusive protagonist in this real-life thriller is Chaowalit Thongduang, an armed prisoner escapee convincingly playing his role from the thick forests of Banthad mountain range. This intriguing story seems to be coming straight out of an action-packed suspense film.
The game intensified when the military personnel from Naresuan Camp in Phetchaburi province arrived swiftly at the scene to bolster the search operation for the 37-year-old fugitive, infamously known as Sia Paeng Nanod. Undeterred by the challenging terrain, over 30 courageous motorbike-riding cops from Trang provincial police initiated the search, embracing the sheer wilderness.
To the untrained eye, the treacherous densely forested mountains may seem impenetrable. But for these men clad in khaki, vehicle access is an unnecessary luxury. Their pursuit, however, is supported by reinforcements from the border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, fueling police confidence in their impending victory.
With a hint of espionage, local forest dwellers, who would typically be on their routine scavenging activity, have been requested to clear the vicinity temporarily. Meanwhile, search warrants were issued, and certain residences were checked, based on suspicion of abetting Chaowalit, a former murder suspect who gave the authorities the slip during a hospital visit.
A surprising turn of events took place when police from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) descended on the domicile of Kasidchart, Chaowalit’s cousin, in Muang district. That led to findings of potential evidence, leading to his immediate custody and subsequent grilling at the Muang district police station.
The predator becomes prey in this thriller, where Chaowalit managed to escape narrowly from a police combat at his hideout. Backed by an unknown number of heavily-armed accomplices and ample ammunition, he fled his mountainous lair, leaving a trail of suspense for the authorities.
Beyond the chase, let’s shed some light on our lead character. Before his daring escape on October 22, Chaowalit was serving time for an attempted murder. But his rap sheet didn’t stop there. It included notorious feats of multiple crimes, from armed aggression on law enforcement officers to downright murder. Initially admitted for dental woes, he complained about his legs’ excruciating pain only to escape, dramatic plot twist indeed.
In the preceding year, Chaowalit had been handed a hefty imprisonment sentence of 20 years and six months by the Phatthalung Provincial Court for a bloody armed assault on police officers. The riveting narrative of this escapade had kick-started this year, when he had been transferred from Phatthalung Prison to Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison. As we all wait with bated breath, the next chapter of this unfolding saga remains unpredictable.
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