A new report from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) sheds light on conditions in Thailand’s immigration detention centres (IDCs), which are among the country’s most secretive detention facilities. The report also highlights Thailand’s shortcomings in immigration detention regulations and policies, and how they fall short of international human rights standards.

Jesse, a young backpacker who has lost his heart to Thailand, becomes entangled in a desperate game of freedom and survival. When his money runs out, he makes a dangerous decision: he robs a gold shop. The irony? He didn't want to go back home, now he's stuck for four years in the country he called home.

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The scars of captivity

By Robert V.
Posted in Background, Society
Tags: , ,
October 9, 2024

Wasana Busadee's world changed dramatically when she innocently ended up behind bars for over two years. What began as a simple favor for an acquaintance turned into a nightmare of despair and injustice. Although she is now free, the scars of her captivity remain visible. Her story reveals a painful reality within the Thai justice system.

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Prominent activist and human rights lawyer, Arnon Nampa (อานนท์นำภา, Aanon Namphaa), was sentenced to four years in prison last week. The BBC wrote an article about that.

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The book (and movie) 'Bangkok Hilton' is a true story written by Sandra Gregory and Michael Tierney. It is based on the experiences of Sandra Gregory, who was arrested in Thailand in 1987 for smuggling drugs.

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After spending six months in a hospital for corruption-related convictions, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole early on Sunday. This moment marks an important turn in Thai politics, with Thaksin, a figure who continues to divide emotions, being free again. With his release, supported by his daughters, he returns to his home in Bangkok, a move that may reshape Thailand's political dynamics.

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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?

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Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now being held in the medical zone of Bangkok Remand Prison due to serious health problems. The 74-year-old has been diagnosed with several conditions, including heart and lung disease. There is also an option to apply for a royal pardon, a process that is expected to take 1 to 2 months.

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I have a question that I hope someone can help me with? I have had an affair with Jin for 4 years. We recently got engaged and we want to get married. Two and a half years ago, Jin caused an accident in a torrential downpour with bodily injury to the opposing party. Unfortunately, the car insurance had just expired 2 days ago.

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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.

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Ladyboys are happier in prison than outside

By Editorial
Posted in Society
Tags: ,
March 26 2022

Ladyboys are discriminated against in everyday life. They don't mind in prison. "Here we are treated like a queen."

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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.

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In what ways can you be separated from your loved one? Death? The prison? Or by disappearing without a trace? Min Thalufa's partner was deprived of his freedom by the authorities at the end of September, without the right to bail. This letter is a rallying cry she sent to her sweetheart in Bangkok Remand Prison. She hopes he will have the opportunity to read it.

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You must have heard about this notorious detention center in Bangkok, where people with fake or expired passports, expired visas, people without work permits, illegal migrants are detained pending trial or deportation.

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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.

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Reader question: Visiting detainee in Thailand

By Submitted Message
Posted in Reader question
Tags: ,
March 16 2021

Hi, I'm Alex Harder and I've been living in Thailand for quite some time now. Now with the corona outbreak I often think of the people who are imprisoned here. It is already inhumane outside let alone in prisons. I feel I have to do something and hope to receive some more information through this way.

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The Court of Appeal in The Hague has rejected a request for early release from former coffee shop owner Johan van Laarhoven on appeal. Van Laarhoven will certainly remain in detention until next year.

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Design for Thai prison new style

By Gringo
Posted in Background
Tags: , ,
May 14, 2020

In a joint project between King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and Thonburi Remand Prison, architecture students were asked to design new blueprints that would make prison time more “human”. This includes all kinds of things, from improvements to the cells to sanitary dining rooms.

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Reader question: Jail if fine is not paid?

By Submitted Message
Posted in Reader question
Tags: ,
January 21 2020

It concerns the following: my girlfriend drove her car without insurance (stupid, but nothing can be done about it), and had a collision. No human injuries, just a cow run over. The owner of the cow demands hefty compensation. Now my friend claims that the police knocked on her door and urged her to pay the amount to the owner. If not, she will go to jail for 3 months. Question: is that possible? Can the police (and not the judge) throw someone in jail?

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Actually good. Just had a crying fit, that is the fault of the suitcase that still contains the Kuuk's clothes. I wanted to move it to the storage room because I'm going back to the Netherlands soon.

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Our island paradise is full of temptations. It's up to you to guard your own boundaries. Most of the time it goes well, but sometimes…

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De Telegraaf writes today about a Dutchman who was stabbed after an argument on Koh Samui, but then ended up in jail himself. It would be about Gerard van Vulpen who got into a fight on New Year's Eve about a bar bill on the island and was then stabbed by an employee of the bar.

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