Thai authorities suspend a Bangkok prison boss after allegations Chinese inmates received special privileges, including private female visits and luxury items.
BANGKOK: Thai authorities have suspended a prison chief in Bangkok over allegations that high-profile Chinese inmates were granted access to women in a private cell and other privileges.
The justice ministry suspended the prison’s commander and his secretary on Monday following local media reports that two Chinese women were allowed into Bangkok Remand Prison to visit inmates.
Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said the case involving prison officials “allegedly favouring Chinese inmates” was “being handled based on evidence”.
A search of the prison uncovered “misconduct and prohibited items” including condoms, tobacco and alcohol.
“Two Chinese women were found alone with an inmate inside a cell that was being renovated to serve as a reception room for senior officials,” the ministry stated.
The cell contained a table, sofa and refrigerator—luxuries not typically afforded to prisoners.
Preliminary findings included “boxes of condoms, bodily fluid traces on tissue paper and stains resembling semen,” which were sent to forensic investigators.
While CCTV footage was deleted, some recovered video showed the two women entering the prison.
Rutthapon told reporters that the pair accessed the prison following standard procedures, not via a secret route, suggesting several officials could be implicated.
The two women denied being involved in sex work, according to the justice ministry.
Around 20 officers, including the warden and lower-level staff, were accused of misconduct, with the ministry adding that “no officers were involved in purchasing sexual services.”
Several inmates implicated in the scandal have been transferred to another prison.
The prison detains more than 4,000 men awaiting trial and has held some of Thailand’s most infamous accused criminals, including alleged Chinese racketeer She Zhijiang.
Transparency International ranks Thailand 107 out of 180 countries on its latest corruption perceptions index.
Allegations of bribery and preferential treatment in Thailand’s justice system are not uncommon.
