Nakhon Ratchasima: Two youths, aged 13 and 14, were arrested after they jumped out of a car and fled while being transported to the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Observation and Protection Center. Both individuals were initially detained for possession of methamphetamine.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred near the Prakam Market intersection, Tambon Sa Phra, Amphoe Phra Thong Kham, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province while they were being transferred from the Chaiyaphum Juvenile Observation and Protection Center. As the vehicle slowed down, the youths seized the opportunity to escape by opening the side window and jumping out. Despite efforts by officers to chase them, the youths managed to evade capture.
In response, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, Phra Thongkham Police Station officers, Juvenile Observation and Protection Center officers, and the Huk 31 Nakhon Ratchasima Rescue Unit conducted extensive searches across the area. The search proved challenging due to the dense cassava plantations and sugarcane fields. Locals in Ban Charoen Phon reported seeing the youths but did not initially raise alarm as they were unaware of the escape.
The search intensified with the aid of four drones, deployed by the Hook 31 Rescue Unit to scan the area. At 5:00 PM on February 12, a tip-off from villagers near Wat Pa Wiwet Tham in Ban Nong Hua Ruak led officers to the youths. The locals had noticed unfamiliar youngsters asking for directions to Chaiyaphum Province and reported their suspicions when the youths mentioned fleeing from police.
By 5:30 PM, officers had surrounded a sugarcane field where they found the exhausted youths, who had not eaten since their escape. The officers quickly secured them and transported them back to the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Observation and Protection Center for further proceedings.