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Published on November 3, 2007

The hospitalised man, meanwhile, was reported as ready to be discharged to face punishment in a week.

Maj-General Worasak Noppasittiporn, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said the breakout from Bang Khen police station by Prasit Mungkhun, 22, had been plan-ned in advance and was carried out with assistance from Sirarat Buran and Patchara Maliwan, both 20, his friend and girlfriend respectively.

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 have since managed to arrest Sirarat, and were still hunting for Patchara yesterday.

A probe found that Patchara had passed the gun to Prasit, who then  dashed 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 added.

Police have not yet interviewed Prasit due to his serious condition, but will try to discover who owned the gun.

"In this case, it's regarded as the police officer's fault for letting the suspect escape, and the police have measures for this. A committee will look into this, but whether the punishment will be severe is for further discussion," he said. Worasak 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, Senior Sgt-Major Rangsan Pimkhunakorn, at Central General Hospital.

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

Rangsan said Prasit had run 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, from where Prasit shot him twice before speeding away.

Police General Hospital spokesman Maj-General Som-yos Deemak said Prasit had sustained gunshots to his chest and doctors had to drain blood from 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 is being treated under the watch of Pathum Wan police to ensure he will not try to escape or commit suicide. He has had no relatives asking to see him.

The Nation