However police are hunting for a third inmate who succeeded in climbing over the fence of the Chaiya prison and disappeared in the darkness.

Police were alerted after the attempted break at about half-past midnight.

The dead prisoner was identified as Niwat Aksornsom and his body was found on the fence, while Chatchai Nakchatree was injured. Inmate Jirayu Leekpai escaped.

Security authorities are asking for the public to alert them if they see the prisoner. He was wearing the prison uniform at the time of the escape: a T-shirt with short sleeves, shorts and slippers.

Surat Thani police chief Pol Maj-General Apichart Boonsrirote said road checkpoints have been set up on all possible routes and his officers are searching Jirayu’s family homes.