Two women arrested for helping a suspect escape

Prasit Mungkhun, 22, the hospitalised man was reported as ready to be discharged to face punishment in a week.

Maj Gen Worasak Noppasittiporn, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said Prasit's breakout from Bang Khen Police Stationwas pre planned and carried out with assistance from Sirarat Buran and Patchara Maliwan, both 20, his friend and girlfriend respectively.

A court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for both women on charges of assisting a suspect to escape police custody using a weapon, supporting another in an attempt to kill an officer, and possessing a firearm without a permit, Worasak said. Police managed to nab Sirarat and were still hunting for Patchara.

An investigation found that Patchara passed the gun to Prasit, who then used the chaotic situation to dash out of his cell, Worasak said.

Sirarat's confession provided useful testimony that implicated Patchara. Arrest warrants might be sought for other persons found to be involved, Worasak said.

Police had not yet interviewed Prasit due to his serious condition and would try to learn who owned the gun.

"In this case, it's regarded as the police officer's fault for letting the suspect escape, which police have measures for. A factfinding committee will look into this but whether the punishment will be severe is for further discussion," he said.

He thanked the public and media for their cooperation in recapturing the suspect in less than 24 hours.

Senior police along with Bang Khen Superintendent Colonel Pattana Pesayanawin visited the wounded officer, Sr SgtMajor Rangsan Pimkhunakorn, at Central General Hospital.

Rangsan said he still felt pain from his gunshot wound and was worried he might miss a November 11 examination for promotion at Ramkhamhaeng University.

Rangsan said Prasit ran out of the cell towards the front yard so he chased after him. While Prasit was trying to force a motorcycle driver at gunpoint to help his getaway, Rangsan pulled the motorbike and he fell down to the ground, where Prasit shot him twice before speeding away. He said he thought of his mother, wife and children when he was shot.

Police General Hospital spokesman Maj General Somyos Deemak said Prasit sustained gunshots to his left chest and doctors had to drain blood in his left lung. The patient's condition was stable and, if there was no complication within a week, he could be released to face legal action.

Prasit was being treated on the fifth floor of the hospital's main building under the close watch of Pathum Wan police to ensure he would not try to run away or commit suicide. He had no relatives asking to see him yet.