An American prison escapee allegedly shot and wounded himself and his wife as police moved in and arrested them and the third fugitive in Sa Kaeo province on Wednesday.

The fugitive trio's capture ended a massive police manhunt launched after they escaped in chains from Pattaya Court on Monday afternoon, leaving a police officer critically wounded. 

Police said one of the escapees, Noi Nilthes, had contacted police through his relatives and said he wanted to surrender, according to Jor Sor 100 radio.

He came out of hiding and gave himself up in Sa Kaeo province.

Police later surrounded an area about one kilometre from where Mr Noi surrendered, intending to arrest the other two escapees, US national Bart Allen Helmus and his Thai wife Sirinapa Wisetrit.

Police said Mr Helmus was under stress because of the hot weather and the three-month pregnancy of his wife. As police moved in, Mr Helmus used a pistol to shoot his wife and himself.

Police said that police did not fire any shots at the couple during the operation to arrest them.

Mrs Sirinapa was reported wounded. Mr Helmus was said to be in a critical condition in the ICU of Khaochakhan Hospital.

The three escapees, who were facing trial on drug trafficking charges when they made their getaway, will be interrogated in Sa Kaeo before being taken back to Pattaya.

They fled the court in chains on Monday, severely wounding Pol Capt Thanamet Photipan as they dashed to short-lived freedom. An investigation is underway into how they obtained a handgun and knife used in the escape.