KAMPHAENG PHET – A prison inmate helped distract police while another prisoner escaped to care for his four-month-old baby on Monday.
Police named the two prisoners only as Chaiyawat, 36, and Jirawat, 45.
Pol Sen Sgt Major Pathom Pilpan said the two men attacked him when he was taking them from their cell to the courtroom. He was repeatedly struck with wooden walking sticks that had been issued to Chaiyawat, who had a leg injury.
The officer sustained a head injury and a damaged eyebrow.
Six officers intervened and grabbed Chaiyawat, but Jirawat was able to escape during the commotion. Police believed the escaped convict was hiding in a nearby forest.
Chaiyawat told police that Jirawat had a four-month-old baby and his wife was also sentenced in another case. The baby was left with no parents, so he decided to help Jirawat escape.
Chaiyawat was arrested on a charge of killing a village chief last year while Jirawat was arrested on drug charges, police said.