BANGKOK – In a major shake-up of Thailand’s prison system, the Department of Corrections on Friday ordered the immediate removal of 14 senior officers at Bangkok Remand Prison.
Those removed include the prison chief, Pol Col Kriangkrai Boonlert, after investigators uncovered long-running corruption that let wealthy Chinese prisoners live in comfort and enjoy banned privileges, including sex with women secretly brought into the jail.
The scandal broke after a surprise inspection last Sunday (16 November) by a special task force led by the department’s Inspector-General. What started as a routine check on complaints from inmates exposed a shadow system inside the Klong Prem complex that catered to influential foreign prisoners, most of them Chinese suspects awaiting trial on fraud, money-laundering, and transnational crime charges.
During the raid, officials found a shocking collection of prohibited items in the rooms of several prominent Chinese inmates.
Inspectors reported microwave ovens, portable air-conditioners, kettles, massage chairs, premium liquor, lighters, power banks, and satellite TV boxes in cells that had been secretly upgraded with wooden floors, private toilets, and separate sleeping spaces.
These conditions were far removed from the bare concrete bunks and shared facilities used by the general prison population.
“Some rooms looked more like hotel suites than prison cells,” one officer involved in the inspection said, speaking anonymously to Thai PBS. “The comfort given to these inmates was beyond anything we have ever seen in Thai jails.”
Women Smuggled In for Sex
The most explosive findings involve confirmed claims that women, believed to be paid companions, were brought into the prison after normal visiting hours to have sex with selected Chinese inmates. Sources inside the department said some women entered through side gates and stayed inside for several hours, while prison staff were allegedly paid large sums to ignore what was happening.
“CCTV recordings, visitor records, and statements from junior officers leave no doubt that this went on again and again for many months,” a senior corrections official said on Friday.
The raid followed written complaints from Thai inmates who said their food was of poor quality, while Chinese prisoners were served dishes similar to restaurant meals, cooked separately in the prison kitchen.
Inspectors confirmed the existence of two systems in the kitchen; one section prepared basic Department of Corrections rations for most prisoners, and another, much better equipped, handled imported ingredients such as Australian beef, fresh salmon, and expensive cooking oils, kept for the so-called VIP section.
Thai inmates told investigators they were often served thin rice porridge while the smell of grilled steak drifted through the corridors from the restricted area.
Prison Chief among 14 Officials Removed
Department of Corrections Director-General Ayut Sinthoppan said on Thursday that 14 officers had been transferred to inactive posts while facing disciplinary and possible criminal action. Those removed include:
- Pol Col Kriangkrai Boonlert, prison commander
- Three deputy commanders
- The chief of custody
- Heads of several internal divisions
- Senior wardens who oversaw the VIP cell block
“This kind of open corruption and abuse of authority cannot be accepted,” Mr Ayut told reporters at department headquarters. “We will fix this culture and bring fairness back into the prison system.”
Possible charges include malfeasance in office, taking bribes, and arranging or supporting prostitution. The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has begun a separate probe into the case.
Chinese Embassy Stays Silent
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok declined to give a detailed response when approached on Thursday. A spokesperson said only that the embassy was “aware of the reports” and in contact with Thai officials about Chinese nationals currently in custody.
Rights advocates have long condemned Thailand’s unequal prison conditions, where money and connections can shape life behind bars. Sunday’s raid and the sudden removal of top officers are being seen as the toughest move so far by the current corrections leadership to tackle the problem.
By Friday evening, the VIP cells had been cleared of all luxury items and returned to the standard prison layout. The Department of Corrections also announced a full change of leadership at Bangkok Remand Prison, along with an order for more frequent unannounced inspections at prisons across the country.
For thousands of ordinary inmates who have suffered harsh and crowded conditions for years, the downfall of the prison’s senior officials offers a rare moment of accountability, and a small sign that long-promised reform might finally begin.
