Police on Thursday arrested two more drug suspects who escaped on their way to court in Khon Kaen and said they believe another had drowned.
Four men, natives of Khon Kaen, broke out of custody as police were taking them to court in Phon district to seek their extended detention Wednesday evening.
They stole a motorcycle from a student, but only three could fit on it, leaving the fourth man to be captured immediately.
The trio parked the bike by Laloeng Wai lake in Phon district and jumped in. Officials hunted for them all night, but to no avail.
Police continued and intensified their hunt on Thursday while a helicopter dropped leaflets on the community featuring the escapees' photos.
At about 1pm, a villager told police two men matching the descriptions sought a free meal in a paddy field in Bua Lai district about 20 kilometres from Phon district.
After being alerted, Bua Lai police arrested the two men, Phichitchai Ratanayuth and Chatchai Phuangyao.
Both said the other escapee, Chanchai Premthaisong, might have drowned because they heard him crying for help after jumping into the lake and did not see the man after they reached the other side of the lake.