Two Norwegian men who had been released on bail facing criminal charges in Pattaya have escaped from Thailand and are now back in their home town of Haugesund in Norway, according to reports in the local media.
Mr. Kjetil Stole (29) and Mr. Jone Mardal (32) were arrested in Pattaya on the 29th October and charged with breaking and entering and assault on Mr. Roar Nilsen (29) from Bergen in Norway. Further charges of attempted murder were eventually dropped due to conflicting testimonies, according to Banglamung Police Captain Prasit. If convicted the two accused face up to 9 years in jail.
They were both released on bail of 200,000 Baht, their travel documents were confiscated and they were ordered to report to police every 10 days. They were due to appear in court on 21st November.
The lawyer representing the two men in Norway, Roy Arne Eike, has told the local media that as the case against his clients is still ongoing they have declined to give any statement at this time apart from the fact that they have arrived back in Norway. Their exact whereabouts is currently unknown.
