Thai police tighten dragnet around fugitive in Banthat mountain range

Efforts are underway by the Thai police to surround and close off the mountainous trails of the Banthat mountain range, the border between Phatthalung and Satun provinces, in the chase for Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, the fugitive who reportedly has three guns at his disposal. The hunt was initiated after Sia Paeng’s guide was apprehended, leading to the confirmation of his location.

The pursuit of Chaowalit, a significant fugitive who escaped from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on October 22, is intensifying. Seven individuals aiding him have been arrested, and three officials from the Department of Royal Forestry have surrendered after warrants were issued.

Assistant National Police Chief Itthipol Atchariyapradit today visited Trang Province to supervise the hunt for Chaowalit. This followed Deputy Police Investigation Commander Sompong Suwannawong of the 9th Provincial Police leading the investigative police and special operations unit of the 9th Provincial Police to plan the arrest of Chavolit in the wildlife sanctuary of Banthat Mountain.

The police had obtained a local from Phatthalung who was interrogated after leaving the forest to find a guide for Chaowalit to be taken up the mountain. This confirmed that Chaowalit was hiding in the eastern direction of the Banthat mountain range, beyond Trang Village in Phalian Subdistrict, Trang Province, and bordering Tamod Subdistrict, Phatthalung Province.

The fugitive is armed with three guns and had companions, with local guides leading the escape from rubber plantations, fruit orchards, and local villages to dense jungles, reported KhaoSod.

The Thai Border Police Unit 54 had to resort to trekking to surround the fugitive. The Phatthalung and Trang Provincial Police Investigation Teams closed off the mountain routes. Some teams had to use off-road motorcycles to travel up the mountain due to the difficult terrain and relied on villagers who rode motorcycles uphill to provide guides, food, and supplies to the police in the forest.

Police chase

From the Banthat mountain range, the closest village is 6 kilometres away. Travelling by motorcycle takes 20 to 30 minutes, while on foot it would take several hours. The same day, during the interrogation of the local who admitted to getting supplies for Chaowalit, the police were confident and launched a pursuit on the mountain.

Earlier, the police had questioned 25 year old Phanuwat Damnon, a local from Phalian Subdistrict, Trang Province. He had been injured from cutting firewood to cook in the Banthat mountain forest and had walked down to seek treatment at Phatthalung Hospital. He told the doctor he was fleeing the police and was subsequently injured.

The Anti-Narcotics Police and the 9th Provincial Police questioned him and assigned police officers to guard him to prevent his escape from Phatthalung Hospital.

Phanuwat’s mother revealed that he usually went into the forest but this time he came down on the Phatthalung side and sought treatment at the hospital. She was surprised and wondered why her son went with a friend who was now missing.

The doctor informed her that her son was injured while fleeing the police. The police then called her to take care of her son, along with the police officers mentioned.

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