Fugitive inmate Chaowalit raises controversy with allegations of legal injustice

The 37 year old fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, has stirred up controversy following his audacious escape from prison and the subsequent month-long evasion of law enforcement. His allegations of injustice within the legal system have been aired publicly through a series of anonymous videos posted online, causing ripples within the justice authorities.

In response to the videos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged Chaowalit to cease his flight and submit himself to the legal process. This plea came in the wake of two video releases in which a man, believed to be Chaowalit, claimed his escape was prompted by being a victim of an unjust system. He alleged that his appeals to the Justice Ministry had fallen on deaf ears.

In the first video, circulated on social media, Chaowalit claimed he was the sole person in his case denied bail and sentenced to prison, while others involved, including some state officials, had not been indicted. He further accused authorities of trying to implicate him in a drug case, despite his lack of narcotics involvement.

The second video, circulated the following day, saw Chaowalit admit to involvement in a robbery, but he denied any intimidation by prosecutors. He voiced suspicions that this claim was put forward to justify any attempt to end his life during the manhunt.

“I want to see legal action taken against the prosecutor and those I mentioned. If action is taken against them, I’ll surrender. If not, I’ll be dead if I surrender. If there is no justice, I won’t surrender,” he declared.

Following the viral videos, the Attorney-General ordered an investigation into Chaowalit’s allegations, confirmed Prayuth Phetchakhun, spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG). He revealed that a prosecutor was implicated in a 2020 case, as claimed by Chaowalit, where several suspects, including a prosecutor, evaded indictment while Chaowalit was found guilty and jailed leading to his daring escape, reported Bangkok Post.

National police chief Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol has commanded the police to scrutinise the video clips and investigate Chaowalit’s allegations of misconduct.

Meanwhile, a police source confirmed the individual in the clips to be Chaowalit, who appeared clean-shaven and around 10 kilograms lighter. The clips were sent to a local reporter, and it is believed that the fugitive is still hiding in the southern provinces.

Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong has ordered an inquiry into the inmate’s claims, with a reassurance that no one in the justice system is seeking his death.

Despite the controversy, the Corrections Department maintains its pursuit of Chaowalit and has appealed to the public for any information on his whereabouts.

Chaowalit was serving his sentence for attempted murder when he managed to escape from Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on October 22, where he had been taken for dental treatment. He then disappeared into the Banthad mountain range, which spans across Phatthalung, Trang, and Satun provinces.