Bangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages

A former Thai boxer remains at large after evading arrest for theft. The fugitive then went on a rampage in Bangkok’s Phrayathai district, taking two innocent people hostage in the process.

The 39 year old theft suspect, Santi Jehali, began his disturbing behaviour after officers from Tao Poon Police Station raided his home to arrest him yesterday, October 3, at around 7pm. Santi fired shots at the group of police officers to clear a way to escape.

Santi fled down Soi Inthamara 29, scaling a wall to hide in the home of a family of four. Two family members managed to escape, but the other two were not as fortunate. Santi held these remaining individuals hostage, firing a gun into the air to warn police officers not to approach.

By around 12.15am today, October 4, the police successfully rescued the two hostages. However, Santi eluded capture, escaping from the house through a ceiling vent.

As officers continued their search for Santi, his wife became distraught and attempted to shoot herself in an abandoned building nearby. Police, along with rescuers and other relevant officials, managed to dissuade her from harming herself by around 1.45am.

The officers escorted Santi’s wife to a police car to take her to the station. Yet, once inside the vehicle, she threatened the officer driving with a gun, demanding to be taken to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

She later exited the police car on Thanyaburi Road in the Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province and fled into a grassy field, again threatening to harm herself. Officers finally calmed her down around 5.50am and took her to hospital for treatment of an injury to her left foot.

Santi’s former employer and boxing gym owner, 57 year old Sorrasak Saetang, who was initially called to the scene to help the police pacify Santi’s wife, told officers that Santi was once a renowned boxer, known in the industry as Rittidate Maimueangkhon.

After retiring from boxing, Santi became a trainer. However, he developed a theft habit, used drugs, and carried a gun at all times. As a result, Sorrasak had to dismiss him from the gym about five years ago.

The search for Santi continues.