Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has denied that he knows escaped convict Chaovalit Thongduang, aka “Paeng Nanode”, after they were captured together in a group photo with others.

Judging from the way he was dressed in the image, Varawut said today that it could have been taken on the campaign trail in Nakhon Si Thammarat province in late 2018 or early 2019, ahead of the March 24th, 2019 general election.

As a politician, the minister said that it is quite normal to be photographed with many people while campaigning and to reject a request for a group photo would be unusual.

He insisted, however, that he does not know Chaovalit personally.

Police launched a manhunt, using a helicopter, sniffer dogs and police paratroopers for the fugitive, after he escaped from a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat on October 26th, but they have been unable to recapture him so far.

Chaovalit and his men, armed with assault rifles, are believed to be hiding in the Banthad mountain range, which straddles several southern provinces.

Meanwhile, in an update on Thai workers being repatriated from Israel, Varawut said that about 8,400 have registered to get help from his ministry, adding that about 1,000 have received welfare funds, support in finding new jobs and educational funding for their children.