Police continued to hunt for Surachai as of press time.

The suspects fled the cell after Pol Sgt-Major Chalad Naen-udon reportedly let their girlfriends, aged 18 and 21, visit them in the cell at 4am on Saturday.

Chalad has been dismissed from the civil service and is facing two criminal charges for not exercising his police duties and reckless action resulting in the escape of the detainees.

The Roi Et Court had issued arrest warrants for the two suspects and their girlfriends over the jailbreak.

A CCTV recording, which showed the girlfriends kissing and hugging Surasak and Surachai before they all escaped from the cell, went viral on social media and drew criticism targeting the police officer’s action.