Police surround Buriram prison in northeast Thailand on Sunday (March 29) after inmates rioted and escaped amid fears of COVID-19.<br /><br />The convicts began smashing up the inside of the building over concerns that they could be at risk of catching the novel coronavirus.<br /><br />Police spokesman Kritsana Pattanacharoen said the prison in Buriram province had about 2,000 inmates and the unrest began when some of them set fire to a compound. <br /><br />Local media reported that concerns about the risk of contracting the virus had led to the riot.<br /><br />Some of the inmates escaped while others were recaptured after officers set up road blocks surrounding the buildings. <br /><br />Police were still searching for Thanyapong Sinpoon, 26, who escaped from Buriram Prison during the chaos.
