– Patcharapol Charoenphiraya, 42, unlocked his handcuffs and jumped the rear wall of Pattaya Provincial Court at about 11:00 a.m. on October 19th while being taken for a detention hearing.
– Region 2 and Chonburi police have ordered an urgent manhunt. Pattaya City Police Superintendent Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu has deployed investigators, and a fact-finding committee is reviewing the escape.
– A 20,000 baht reward is offered for information leading to his arrest. Tips can be given confidentially to Pattaya City Police at 082-799-9111 or 191.
– He was originally arrested on October 18 after a coffee-shop owner recognized him and kept him talking over beer until police arrived.
Pattaya Police are offering a 20,000 baht reward for information leading to the arrest of a 42-year-old theft suspect who unlocked his handcuffs, scaled a wall, and fled from Pattaya Provincial Court. He had been arrested only one day prior in a viral story involving a coffee shop owner who was a victim of the thief recognizing him at a Jomtien restaurant and buying him a beer until police arrived.
The escape took place at about 11:00 a.m. on October 19th at Pattaya Provincial Court, while officers were escorting Patcharapol Charoenphiraya and other suspects into the court basement holding area for a detention request. He shook off his handcuffs, ran, and jumped the rear wall of the court compound. Officers gave chase but he got away.
Commanders from Provincial Police Region 2 and Chonburi Provincial Police ordered an immediate manhunt. Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, Chief of Pattaya City Police Station, has mobilized investigators and other officers to gather leads. Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatree Suksiri, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander, has also directed a serious pursuit and ordered a fact-finding committee to examine the circumstances of the escape and the actions of those involved.
Police are offering 20,000 baht for tips that lead to his arrest. The identity of anyone who provides information will be kept confidential. Sightings or information can be reported to Pattaya City Police Station at 082-799-9111 or by calling 191 at any time.
Charoenphiraya was arrested early on October 18th after Kanyanat, 27, recognized him at a Jomtien restaurant as the man she believed had robbed her coffee shop on August 1st. She invited him to sit and ordered beer while the restaurant called police. Officers later found he already had an outstanding theft warrant.