Police arrest Samui court escapee after six-day manhunt

KOH SAMUI — 21 September 2026, Police arrested a suspect who escaped from custody at Koh Samui Provincial Court six days ago after he was found hiding in the hills and allegedly came down to look for food.

Police from Bophut Police Station, together with volunteer police and local residents who provided information, surrounded an area and arrested Warin, also known as “Tao,” at about 14:00 on Monday.

The suspect had escaped on 16 September after allegedly removing his handcuffs while being taken to Koh Samui Provincial Court. He then fled along natural routes and reportedly spent several days hiding on a mountain ridge.

Pol. Lt. Col. Booncherd Maneechai, deputy chief of Bophut Police Station, said officers had been searching for the suspect continuously since the escape.

Police received information that Warin had come down from the mountain to find food. Officers searched a house in the area, but initially missed him by about five minutes. They continued tracking him and eventually managed to arrest him.

The suspect was taken to Bophut Police Station for questioning, with the arrest reported to Pol. Col. Kantchawit Phoprasit, chief of Bophut Police Station.

During questioning, Warin gave confused answers. He initially said he could not remember his name and insisted that he had “done nothing wrong.” Officers repeatedly asked for his full name before he acknowledged that he was Warin, or Tao. He continued to claim that he had never been involved in any criminal case.

Regarding his escape from court, Warin acknowledged being taken to court but denied that he had intentionally escaped. He claimed his handcuffs had come off by themselves and that he decided to run after noticing they were no longer secured.

He said he fled on foot through natural routes along mountain ridges and wooded areas. He also claimed that he had not eaten any meals while hiding and had eventually returned to secretly sleep at his home for several days before his arrest.

When officers told him that escaping from custody was illegal, Warin continued to appear confused and said he did not know why police were pursuing and arresting him.

Pol. Lt. Col. Booncherd said several police teams had been deployed to search for the suspect since 16 September. Because he remained hidden in mountainous terrain, tracking him was difficult.

He said officers who observed and spoke with the suspect found that his answers were confused and that he repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

Police also checked the suspect’s home after he claimed that he had returned there to sleep and eat for several days.

Officers found that Warin had indeed secretly entered the house to eat, but they arrived only about five minutes after he had left. A detailed search found only his father, mother and younger sister sleeping inside. The suspect was not there.

Police therefore said the claim that Warin had stayed and slept at the house for several days was inconsistent with what officers found during their investigation.