Ex-convict 'just holidayed'

Carlo Konstantin Kohl, 25, told police investigators after being rearrested on Thursday that he had heard about many interesting places for foreign tourists – like Patpong, Khao San Road and Soi Cowboy, said Immigration Police Commissioner Panu Kerdlabpol yesterday.

The man, who was arrested at the German Embassy in Bangkok, also said he was impressed after visiting those places and that he would certainly come back, according to Panu.

Police took Kohl to Suvarnabhumi in a van yesterday for a re-enactment of his escape. He was accompanied by some 50 policemen and security guards and was mobbed by a large group of media photographers and cameramen.

In a brief interview with the media at the airport, Kohl said he did not plan the escape on May 15 and that he was just “lucky”.

After his escape, the German said he had remained in Bangkok the whole time. “I holidayed for two weeks. It’s enjoyable – a very nice country,” he said with a smile. “I want to see Thailand again; it’s a beautiful country.” 

Kohl told investigators he had escaped from the room where he was being held, while his Australian guards were asleep. He then hid inside a ventilator shaft, according to Sita Divari, the Airports of Thailand chairman, who also accompanied the German to Suvarnabhumi yesterday.

After remaining inside the airport for about 30 hours, Kohl used a coin to open a security door’s control box before cutting its wires. He managed to open the door without starting an alarm, and then jumped on a public bus heading into the city.