PRACHIN BURI: A prison inmate fled from the hospital where he had been admitted for a hernia operation on Tuesday morning, and then surrendered to authorities less than three hours later.
According to the Kabin Buri district office daily situation report, Marut Kongchan, 38, was serving a drug sentence at Krabin Buri Prison. He slipped away from Kabin Buri Hospital about 9am on Tuesday.
Marut hailed a ride to the district bus terminal where he met a friend, whose identity was not known, and borrowed money from him.
From the bus terminal, he hired a vehicle to go and see another friend, Chatchai Sapong, 38, a former prison inmate, in Moo 19 village, tambon Muang Kao of Kabin Buri district.
Marut subsequently asked Chatchai to contact the Kabin Buri Prison and inform officials that he wanted to surrender.
It was not known why Marut turned himself in so quickly.
About 11.20am, warders arrived at Chatchai's house and took Marut back to prison. Marut was charged with escaping, and faces additional time in prison.
Marut has been sentenced to prison four times in the past, all for drug offences, officials said.