Three true stories of prisoners behind Thai bars
Read the raw reality of life in Thailand's most feared prisons through the eyes of three foreigners who ended up there. Sandra Gregory's “Bangkok Hilton”, Pedro Ruijzing's “Life Sentence in Thailand” and Machiel Kuijt's “Ten Years Behind Thai Bars” provide a disturbing picture of daily life in the infamous Klong Prem Central Prison and Bang Kwang Central Prison, also known as the “ Bangkok Hilton” or “Big Tiger”. Their stories, shaped in the shadows of these dreaded walls, reveal a world far beyond most people's understanding. What do they have to say about their experiences behind bars?
The prison system in Thailand has announced that from next week personal prison visits for relatives of detainees will be allowed again. Visits have not been allowed since April 2021 due to Covid-19.
The Thai Ministry of Corrections (prisons) says that measures are being taken to ensure that better food is served in prisons. From now on, the food must meet quality standards and an investigation is immediately launched if prisoners become ill from tainted food.
The appalling state of Thai prisons
Staying in a Thai cell is often extremely unpleasant. Thai prisons are severely overcrowded and there is insufficient access to food, drinking water and medical assistance. Sanitation is poor and prisoners are exposed to harsh working conditions. Sometimes there is even talk of abuse or torture.
Nearly 3.000 inmates in Bangkok's two main prisons, Bangkok Remand Prison and Central Women's Correctional Institution, have been infected with Covid-19.
Epafras is looking for volunteers in Thailand to visit detainees
The Epafras Foundation offers pastoral care to Dutch prisoners abroad. Do you live in Thailand and are you interested in visiting prisoners in Thailand on a voluntary basis as a chaplain? Please contact the Epafras Foundation.
Sixteen foreign prisoners, including one Dutch national, are allowed to continue serving their sentences in their own country. This has been announced by the Department of Corrections.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn pardons tens of thousands of detainees
As expected, the new Thai king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has pardoned tens of thousands of detainees. The release of the prisoners, most of whom are serving sentences of less than two years, will begin today.
Thai prison is the college of crime
The most beautiful flowers grow on the abyss and the most beautiful tattoos can be found in the Thai prison. Crime is rampant there, if we look at the large amount of prohibited items that guards find during 'cell searches'. The question is whether this can ever be eliminated in this way. The Thai government is doing everything it can to prevent drug traffickers in particular from continuing their criminal trade from prison. The plan …