This is the baffling moment a handcuffed suspect made the world's easiest prison break - casually walking out of a police station in Thailand.

The fugitive, Dit Chaeue, was arrested for allegedly smuggling Burmese workers into the country illegally on January 19.

He was taken to the Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station in Chiang Rai province near the border with Myanmar and hauled into an interrogation room for questioning.

However, while the bungling officers were busy tending to another complainant, Dit managed to slip away from the unlocked room and reportedly stole a motorcycle to ride off into the mountainside.

CCTV footage shows a handcuffed Dit walking down the stairwell of the building. He was later seen waiting at a curb before crossing the road in a hurry and disappearing from view.

Police Major General Manop Senakul, commander of the Chiang Rai Provincial Police, said a search has been launched to find the missing fugitive, who was previously arrested for two instances of burglary in the province.

Dit was last spotted travelling to the Mae Chan district and is believed to be planning to cross over to Myanmar.

Police set up checkpoints along the border, but they soon found the stolen motorcycle abandoned near the Ban Sam Yaek Akha checkpoint.

Cops also found suspected improvised explosives on the motorcycle, with Dit nowhere in sight.

Police Major General Manop said: 'Heat-sensing drones were deployed to scour the area for the suspect. I also authorised responding police to use lethal force in case he tries to resist. Anyone who has information that can lead to his arrest will be rewarded.'

Meanwhile, a special committee has been established to investigate the alleged negligence of the police officers involved.

The suspect is still at large a month after the escape.