AN ALL-OUT hunt for a convict on southern Banthat mountain range that has been continuing for weeks after he escaped a hospital in Nakhon Sri Thammarat last month was today (Nov. 24) called off amid torrential rain, Matichon newspaper said.
Pol. Lt. Gen Ittiphol Atchariyapradit, assistant police chief and head of the big police team chasing the escaped convict, ordered the withdrawal of all units on Banthat mountain range and Ban Nai Tra area to a lower level due to unfavourable weather.
The large team that chased Chaovalit Thongduang, aka Sia Paeng Nanode, after his escape from hospital on Oct. 22, consisted to teams from Singa Special Operations Police (SINGA), 54th Border Patrol Police and Border Patrol Police based at Naresuan Camp, Phetchaburi province. Police teams from various stations in Phatthalung province were based at nine points at the foot of this mountain range as well.
However police teams from Phatthalung and three southernmost provinces will remain at an operation centre near Tha Chang and Mom Chui waterfalls in Tamot district. All checkpoints also will continue to be manned.
This morning the police teams chasing Sia Paeng mobilised to continue their operation but torrential rain, forest runoff and heavy fog posed serious obstacles with helicopters too unable to take off to support them. These dire conditions led to Pol. Lt. Gen Ittiphol calling off the hunt.
Two trackers who know this mountain range and all its trails very well, namely Tracker Nok and Tracker Phrik, too have come down via one of six shortcuts.
However it was reported that Sia Paeng had already left Banthat mountain range as he got in touch with someone close to him to say that he was safe and had never contacted the authorities to surrender.
While serving a 20 years and six months jail term for attempted murder since last year, Chaowalit escaped for Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on Oct. 22 after being taken there for dental treatment but afterwards admitted upon collapsing due to leg pains. Even though he was restrained to the bed and was wearing leg shackles he escaped that night.
CAPTION:
Top: Chaovalit Thongduang, aka Sia Paeng Nanode, and Banthat mountain range where a big team of policemen hunted for him. Photo: Matichon
Front Page: Sia Paeng Nanode and the hospital he escaped from. Photo: Thai Rath
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