Cops fear fugitive Chaowalit has found an escape route from a mountain hideout

The 37-year-old escaped from detention in Nakhon Si Thammarat province last month before taking on police in a two-hour gun battle in the Banthat mountains of Palian district, Trang on November 8.

On Thursday, acting assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Achariyapradit met with the search team at the special operations centre next to Klong Khao Hua Chang Reservoir in Phatthalung. Heavy rain on Friday morning prevented a helicopter from joining the operation, prompting Itthipol to suspend the manhunt until weather conditions improved. Officers were ordered to retreat from the forested mountains, which sprawl across four provinces, and man checkpoints and waterfalls.

The Southern Meteorological Centre forecasts heavy rain in the lower South until Monday.

Meanwhile, the search team is also coordinating with hunters in the neighbouring Tamot district.

Local reports indicate Chaowalit may have already descended from the mountains to a valley hideout.

Investigators fear he could use any of six previously unknown routes through the mountains to escape again.

Chaowalit was serving a 21-year sentence for attempted murder while awaiting trial on other criminal charges, including murder, when he escaped.