This is the astonishing moment a prisoner casually walked to freedom after disguising himself in a prison warden's uniform and face mask.

Wutthichai Dechasitthanwat, 35, had been remanded in custody since July while waiting for a court case for seven charges of theft.

However, the suspect feared he would receive a long sentence and hatched a plan to escape from the jail in Phetchabun, central Thailand, yesterday (September 17).

Wutthichai picked up a black warden's uniform and cap before using a Covid-19 face mask to hide his features.

He then completed the look by carrying a clipboard under his arm.

Incredibly, Wutthichai walked out of his cell wearing his disguise and the oblivious prison staff opened the doors for him - straight into the open car park and away to freedom.

The fugitive took a taxi to his house before riding away on his old motorcycle and heading for the north of the country.

Furious prison chiefs realised they had been duped when they checked Wutthichai's cell later in the afternoon, which sparked a police manhunt.

Officers said they traced a mobile phone signal which lead them to Wutthichai who was hiding in an abandoned house in the same province.

He was arrested - without his disguise - and hauled back to prison where he now faces additional charges of escaping from custody.

Police Major General Atthasit Sudsanguan said a ''large scale search'' had been launched as soon as the prisoner was reported missing.

The policeman added: ''We are now investigating how the prisoner could escape without anybody noticing.

''He said that he acted alone but we will need to be sure that there were no accomplices that helped him.

''We are preparing extra charges against him for breaking out of jail.''