National—
At 9:00 AM, on June 4th, 2024, Thai Minister of Justice Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong provided an update on the case of Mr. Chaowalit “Pang Nanod” Thongduang, who was recently apprehended in Indonesia and is being transferred to Thailand.
Pang Nanod was originally sentenced to 21 years in Phatthalung Provincial Prison for theft and firearms offenses.
He was later moved to Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison due to allegations of engaging in mafia-like activities in Phatthalung Prison.
TPN noted that Phatthalung is the hometown province of the prisoner, Pang Nanod. ‘Nanod’ is the name of a sub-district in Phatthalung City which becomes his alias after his nickname ‘Pang’.
While in custody at Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pang Nanod escaped from a hospital and fled to Indonesia following a gun battle with police on a southern mountain in which he escaped a second time. He was subsequently arrested by Indonesian police following a reported altercation with a local woman.
Pang had been using a fake passport but Indonesian police caught the discrepancy and discovered his true identity through the assistance of various technologies.
Pol. Col. Thawee stated that upon his return to Thailand, Pang Nanod would be taken to Nakhon Si Thammarat for interrogation and legal proceedings before being further detained. The Minister will meet with the Director General of the Department of Corrections and other relevant agencies to discuss Pang Nanod’s final place of detention, likely in Bangkok’s Bang Khwang or Khlong Prem prisons.
To prevent self-harm, Pang Nanod will be closely monitored by prison officers. Additionally, Thai police will continue to investigate and identify any accomplices who aided his escape, ensuring they are held accountable.
There are still concerns that Pang, who has a significant network of influence and supporters, especially in the south, may attempt yet another escape so the Ministry of Justice is taking every possible precaution to avoid this happening.
