This is the dramatic moment two prisoners escaped from their cell and locked a policeman inside.

On Prasert, 23, and Nipon Jannork, 31, tricked trusting officer Police Sub-Lieutenant Rungrawee Sueblaongiw into opening their cage by pretending to be sick.

CCTV footage shows the naive policeman talking in the open doorway with On, seen in the video wearing a white shirt, who allegedly faked a stomachache and asked to call relatives for some medicine.

However, while returning Rungrawee's phone, On grabbed him in a headlock and wrestled him into the cell as Nipon in the black shirt rushed out of the station exit. He overpowered and kicked the guard into the cell before locking the door.

The pair were said to have escaped in a red sedan waiting outside the Phaya Thai District Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, in the early hours of September 19.

Police Colonel Sittisak Nakamat, Director of Investigation Division 2 of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's (MPB) Crime Suppression Division, said: 'The two suspects were arrested on September 17 with 80 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

'Before their escape, they were taken to Phaya Thai Police Station for further investigation, as there were no available cells at the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Crime Suppression Division.'

Police learned that the fugitives had fled through Mittraphap Road towards Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Police Colonel Watcharawee Thamsema, Phaya Thai Police Station superintendent, said checkpoints were set up along the escape route to intercept them.

He added: 'We pressured the suspects into surrendering by repeatedly calling the number they had dialled on the policeman's phone. We believe it belonged to their driver.'

On and Nipon surrendered at the Sida Police Station at 2 pm on September 19. Both reportedly apologised to Rungrawee for attacking him.

They were hauled back to the Phaya Thai Police Station to face additional charges for 'fleeing a police station'.

According to Thai law, carrying Category I drugs, including LSD and ecstasy, for 'disposal or possession for the purpose of disposal', has a maximum punishment of the death sentence or life in prison. The most severe punishments are reserved for those who 'produce of import' the substances, while simply possessing the drugs can land offenders in jail for up to 10 years.

Dealing the lesser Category 2 drugs, which include cocaine and ketamine, can carry a life sentence while possession alone has a punishment of five years.