Authorities Close Elderly Care Home in Kanchanaburi After Abuse
Thai authorities have closed the Sotthorchai Nursing Home in Kanchanaburi after allegations of physical abuse, unlawful confinement, and forced medication of elderly residents. Police and health officials found metal cages on beds, which they say constitute illegal restraint. A committee is being formed to investigate the incident and relocate affected seniors to approved facilities.
Authorities have ordered the closure of the Sotthorchai Nursing Home, an elderly care center, and are preparing to set up an investigative committee. They are also arranging alternative accommodation for elderly residents who wish to move to other care facilities.
The case emerged after complainants appeared on a television program, alleging that their sons had seized control of the business and placed their mothers in a nursing home in Tha Muang district, Kanchanaburi province, where they suffered physical abuse, unlawful confinement, and were forced to take sleeping pills.
Later, officers from the Provincial Police Bureau entered the facility for inspection and discovered metal cages installed on beds. The home's owner said the cages were intended to prevent residents from falling out of bed or harming themselves, arguing that tying limbs with rope for long periods could cause swelling and wounds. He insisted no physical abuse occurred, that care standards were met, and that the home held a valid license.
Regarding developments, on October 7, 2026, the television program invited Mother Phatthra and former residents of the Sotthorchai Nursing Home to discuss the issue, along with Dr. Akom Praditsatthawan, Deputy Director-General of the Health Support Department (HSD) of the Ministry of Public Health. Dr. Akom stated that installing bed rails on standard hospital‑size beds—80 cm wide and 180 cm long—is not permissible because it restricts the rights of elderly people and amounts to unlawful confinement. He added, “The Health Support Department has already ordered the closure of that elderly care center. We are currently managing the relocation of residents: if a relative wishes to take the elderly person home, they may do so; if the elderly person prefers to move to another facility, we will transfer them to a licensed home that meets standards.”
When asked about an earlier inspection by Health Support Office Region 5 that had cleared the facility, Dr. Akom said the authority had been delegated to that regional office, and whether any violation of Section 157 of the Penal Code occurred would be determined by a committee. He noted that an investigative committee has been formed to establish exactly what happened and how the cages were installed.
