The chief of Thung Yai Police Station revealed that the police corporal who led a drug suspect to escape from the station's holding cell has been arrested. He has been suspended from duty pending investigation. The corporal is reportedly very stressed and claims he was betrayed by a close friend after trusting a plea to take him to visit his wife and child one last time before prison. Upon arriving at the house, the suspect fled and escaped.
The case involves Police Corporal Theerawat Meeseechan, patrol officer at Thung Yai Police Station, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, who was on duty as the officer in charge of the holding cell. He facilitated the escape of a drug suspect, Mr. Aekalak or 'Tu' Detphalit, accused of possessing and distributing Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) illegally for sale, leading to community drug spread. After the incident on 10 Jan 2026, investigators and senior police quickly pursued the case and requested Thung Song Provincial Court issue an arrest warrant for Corporal Theerawat for official misconduct and dereliction of duty, as well as for the suspect who escaped custody under official authority, as previously reported.
The latest update last night (11 Jan 2026) reports that Corporal Theerawat was apprehended last night (10 Jan), while the drug suspect, Mr. Aekalak, remains at large.
Following intense interrogation overnight and throughout today, Corporal Theerawat was detained in the Thung Yai Police Station holding cell without bail. He has been suspended from duty due to sufficient evidence and a disciplinary committee has been appointed to proceed with disciplinary and criminal actions.
During interrogation, Corporal Theerawat appeared highly stressed over the incident. He claimed he had a close relationship with Mr. Aekalak before joining the police force. After starting his shift, Mr. Aekalak pleaded earnestly to be taken to see his wife and child one last time before being sent to prison. Trusting their prior acquaintance, the corporal agreed and took him in his personal vehicle to Mr. Aekalak's home in Kuhae Subdistrict, Thung Yai District. Upon arrival, Mr. Aekalak escaped before he could be controlled.
Police Colonel Pongsapichan Chayananpiriy, chief of Thung Yai Police Station, stated the incident occurred Saturday morning. Upon learning of the escape, they immediately reviewed security footage, which showed no signs of forced entry or break-in of the holding cell. Instead, it revealed a police officer opening the door to let the suspect out. Corporal Theerawat was arrested yesterday and remains in custody, while efforts continue to track down the escaped suspect.