Escaped Thai inmate from Nonthaburi caught on Chon Buri beach
Police arrested an inmate who had escaped from Nonthaburi Provincial Prison on February 2 while enjoying the beach in Chon Buri.
The 32 year old prisoner, Wasan Obnual, seized an opportunity while working for the Department of Corrections at the Corrections Museum in Nonthaburi to escape. He immediately took a taxi back home, which was close to both the museum and the prison, to meet his mother.
Wasan reportedly told his mother that he was released from prison and would be going to a provincial court to receive an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. He requested 100 baht from her, borrowed her motorcycle and phone, and then left.
The reason for his escape remains unclear, as Wasan already served nine months and was considered a model prisoner. He was likely to receive a pardon and frequently had the opportunity to work outside the prison. He was on the brink of release with only about two years left in his sentence.
Wasan’s parents later discovered that their son was not released but escaped. His father suspected that Wasan fled the prison to search for his wife’s lover.
Wasan was last seen in Bangkok near the Victory Monument before disappearing. After more than 30 hours of searching, police arrested Wasan yesterday, February 5, in Chon Buri province.
The escaped inmate was apprehended while lying on a beach chair at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri. He has since been transferred back to Nonthaburi Provincial Prison for questioning regarding the motive behind his escape.
Wasan’s father expressed his appreciation for the police’s work saying he was worried that his son would resist the arrest leading to the extrajudicial killing. He also urged his son to wait until he was released from prison and look for the new love of his life and not return to this girlfriend no more.
In response to this incident, the Minister of Justice, Tawee Sodsond, is considering requiring all inmates in good standing who work for the Department of Corrections outside the prison to wear EM bracelets while doing so.
In a related case, another escaped inmate was arrested last week. The 34 year old prisoner, Somporn Promha, was apprehended in Khon Kaen province in Isaan. Somporn also escaped from Khao Prik Prison in Nakhon Ratchasima while working for the Corrections Department.
Somporn, who had only three months left of his sentence, claimed that he escaped because he missed his home and parents too much.
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