Thawee, Rohm, and Neneh Lead Justice Committee Inspection of Bangkok Prison to Improve Inmates' Quality of Life Before Release
A parliamentary justice committee led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong inspected Bangkok Special Prison to assess conditions and discuss improving rehabilitation programs and legal aid access for inmates serving long sentences.
Led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, the parliamentary Justice, Law, and Human Rights Committee, including committee chairman Rangsiman Rohm, conducted an inspection of Bangkok Special Prison in the Lad Yao district on May 22, 2569 (2026). The committee visited various sections including the reception ward for elderly and vulnerable inmates, vocational training facilities, the prison kitchen, and the medical clinic to assess the quality of life and conditions for imprisoned individuals serving long sentences.
During the inspection, the committee discussed with prison director Kiattikorn Patmothat and relevant officials about policy frameworks for improving healthcare access, rehabilitation programs, and preparation for inmates' reintegration into society. Committee chairman Rangsiman noted concerns about inmates' access to current information about the outside world, particularly those serving lengthy sentences, and emphasized the need to improve legal aid fund accessibility to help inmates secure temporary release to defend their cases in court.
Rangsiman highlighted that many inmates face obstacles in gathering documents for their legal defense while imprisoned and called for improved systems to support their cases, as proper legal representation during trial is crucial for proving innocence. The committee plans to further study these issues raised by inmates to develop more effective solutions for the justice system.
