This is the astonishing moment an American prisoner in handcuffs outruns two Thai policemen after escaping from a prison van.

Ezekiel Shiloni Dolcide, 28, from Florida, was arrested last month for alleged marijuana possession on the island of Phuket and detained in custody to be deported.

He was being transferred today (December 16) in a police car from the Phuket City Police Station to Chalong Police Station when an officer opened the door for him to step out.

CCTV shows Ezekiel in shorts and a t-shirt dash out of the door with two cops running after him, without success.

Dolcide then fled into nearby woodland sparking a frantic search as officers battled to find him.

Police were today scouring the area trying to trace the fugitive, who had also been charged with overstaying his visa.

They blamed Ezekiel's speed for being able to outrun the two policemen when he stepped out of the truck.

Colonel Sarawut Chprasit said Dolcide was ''still in handcuffs'' when he fled through the open door.

''Police are hunting for him. I believe that he is still in Phuket. If you see him, please call Chalong Police Station immediately,'' the police chief added.

Earlier this year the Norwegian alleged killer of a British tourist disappeared from the same popular tourist island after being bailed over the death.

Roger Bullman, 53, admitted choking to death Amitpal Singh Bajaj, 34, during a row at their hotel. But he has since disappeared, leaving police with a bail bond of 400,000 Baht, or around 10,000GBP.

This is the astonishing moment an American prisoner in handcuffs outruns two Thai policemen after escaping from a prison van.

Ezekiel Shiloni Dolcide, 28, from Florida, was arrested last month for alleged marijuana possession on the island of Phuket and detained in custody to be deported.

He was being transferred today (16/12) in a police car from the Phuket City Police Station to Chalong Police Station when an officer opened the door for him to step out.

CCTV shows Ezekiel in a shorts and t-shirt dash out of the door with two cops running after him, without success.

Dolcide then fled into nearby woodland sparking a frantic search as officers battled to find him.

Police were today scouring the area trying to trace the fugitive, who had also been charged with overstaying his visa.

They blamed Ezekiel's speed for being able to outrun the two policemen when he stepped from the truck.

Colonel Sarawut Chprasit said Dolcide was ''still in handcuffs'' when he fled through the open door.

''Police are hunting for him. I believe that he is still in Phuket. If you see him, please Chalong Police Station immediately,'' the police chief added.

Earlier this year the Norweigan alleged killer of a British tourist disappeared from the same popular tourist island after being bailed over the death.

Roger Bullman, 53, admitted choking to death Amitpal Singh Bajaj, 34, during a row at their hotel. But he has since disappeared, leaving police with a bail bond of 400,000 Baht, or around 10,000GBP.