Drug suspect escapes by setting fire to police pick-up - he's found later in a drainage pipe

 

Images: Manager

 

Questions are being asked after a man being taken to court in Udon Thani in Thailand's north east managed to set fire to a police pick-up and flee.

 

Somsamai, 46, and four others were being taken to the court to be held after he was arrested for possession of 68 Ya Ba pills (methamphetamine and caffeine) and 3.37 grams of ice (crystal meth).

 

Yesterday afternoon on Mitraphap Highway in Ban Jan sub-district the Nong Saeng police department's pick-up was in flames.

The driver saw the fire and heard the cries of the five prisoners in the back.

 

He stopped to let them out and Somsamai ran off. 

 

A force of 100 uniformed and plain clothes officers was mobilized to search for him and he was found 40 minutes later hiding in a drainage pipe.

 

 

It was determined that Somsamai started the fire in the air-con unit in the back of the vehicle in order to escape. The other prisoners did not flee the scene.

 

Manager said that questions needed to be asked as to how the prisoner was able to start a fire. Was it with a lighter or matches and how did he get them and why was he not searched for dangerous items before being taken to the court. 

 

He now faces charges of arson of government property to add to his rap sheet for drugs.

 

Source: Manager

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-30

 

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This is an incredible story, prisoners being transported on a pickup, and 1 of them had on him the things required to start a fire.

Police carelessness or what, so it looks like he wasnt searched before being transported.

59 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

A force of 100 uniformed and plain clothes officers was mobilized to search for him and he was found 40 minutes later hiding in a drainage pipe.

'100 police'  'found 40 minutes later'

The police are capable of being organised when they need to save their own skins.

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

This is an incredible story, prisoners being transported on a pickup, and 1 of them had on him the things required to start a fire.

Police carelessness or what, so it looks like he wasnt searched before being transported.

 

That's exactly what the OP says too!

 

I'm impressed.

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Manager said that questions needed to be asked as to how the prisoner was able to start a fire. Was it with a lighter or matches and how did he get them and why was he not searched for dangerous items before being taken to the court. 

Way too many questions in one paragraph!

It is obvious that this police man was preoccupied worrying about his financial debts and therefore missed searching him. I think all his debts should be forgiven, so he will be able to do his job more focused and also be able to get another loan.