High-profile fugitive Chaowalit “Paeng Nanod” Thongduang is set to be extradited to Thailand on a chartered flight arranged by Indonesian officials, following the cancellation of a previous plan involving an RTAF aircraft due to public scrutiny.
A source disclosed that the chartered aircraft will depart from Jakarta and arrive in Nakhon Si Thammarat later on today (Tuesday).
Pol Maj Gen Somchai Seutortrakul, Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief, stated a special unit will welcome the 37-year-old fugitive at the provincial airport and escort him to Muang police station for interrogation and formal charges related to his escape from custody.
According to Pol Maj Gen Somchai, Chaowalit’s attorney will be present throughout the process, which may last a couple of days depending on the fugitive’s cooperation.
Following the legal proceedings, he will be transferred to the custody of Corrections Department officials.
The police chief also noted that security measures would be heightened at the airport and along the travel route, though the specific route was not disclosed.
Chaowalit, 37, had been incarcerated at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison on charges including attempted murder. He faced additional charges in other cases for murder, attempted murder, and firearms possession before his escape.
Chaowalit escaped from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on October 22 last year, where he was undergoing dental treatment.
Even after an extensive manhunt, Chaowalit succeeded in fleeing Thailand via a speedboat, believed to have launched from Satun. While on the run, Chaowalit uploaded multiple videos alleging unjust treatment by the legal system.
He was arrested last Thursday in Bali by Indonesian police on charges of drug dealing, using a counterfeit Indonesian ID card, and assaulting women.
Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong stated on Monday that the Corrections Department would determine Chaowalit’s place of detention and has directed relevant agencies to enhance security measures.
Pol Maj Yutthana Phraedam, deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), mentioned that Chaowalit’s case remains outside the DSI’s purview.
He also noted that the DSI had initiated an investigation into Chaowalit’s allegations of mistreatment, his links to drug cartels, and his hospital escape.