Drug suspect escapes custody while shackled, flees into brush behind police station, but is recaptured and faces additional charges
A 30-year-old drug suspect shackled and being transferred to court escaped from Mae Ping Police Station in Chiang Mai but was recaptured minutes later in nearby brush and now faces additional escape charges.
At 10:40 a.m. on May 3, 2025, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Headquarters radio center received a report that a suspect in a drug possession case had escaped while being transferred from Mae Ping Police Station in Chiang Mai. The suspect fled toward the scrubland behind the station. All units were alerted to set up checkpoints throughout Chiang Mai. Shortly after, Mae Ping Police Station reported the suspect had been recaptured and was back in custody.
A reporter visited Mae Ping Police Station where they met with the sergeant who had been escorting the suspect and personally pursued and recaptured him behind the station. Speaking while visibly exhausted and sweating, the sergeant revealed that the suspect, identified as Mr. Chai (surname withheld), age 30, was facing drug possession charges filed on May 1, 2025. Today, investigators had ordered the sergeant to escort him to Chiang Mai Provincial Court for detention. While the suspect was handcuffed and being led from the holding cell, he bolted toward the scrubland and waterway behind the station.
The sergeant pursued him, noting that his prior experience with that type of terrain helped him successfully apprehend the suspect. Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Yanuphon Pattanachai of Mae Ping Police Station ordered investigators to file an additional charge of escape from custody. Investigators noted that the suspect was only facing minor charges and they were surprised he attempted to escape. Further questioning is ongoing to clarify the circumstances.
