Bangkok prison scrutinised for bribes and Chinese inmate privilege

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ เรือนจำพิเศษกรุงเทพมหานคร

 

By Petch Petpailin

 

A Thai political activist and former inmate accused officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of accepting bribes from a Chinese inmate and granting them privileges.

 

The activist, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, took to Facebook on Tuesday, January 21, to share his experiences in Bangkok Remand Prison between 2022 and 2023. His post highlighted the comfortable lives of Chinese call centre scam suspects and alleged corruption within the prison system.

 

Ekkachai revealed that Chinese inmates always stayed together in a group, held considerable power, and lived comfortably despite their imprisonment as they offered substantial bribes to prison officials.

 

 

According to Ekkachai, the Chinese inmates were exempt from work and prison activities. They allegedly managed to obtain fresh grilled salmon and cigars worth over 15,000 baht while in prison. They even had their own speaker system to play Chinese music.

 

While over 30 Thai inmates were crammed into a 30-square-metre room, 11 Chinese inmates reportedly had their own spacious and uncrowded quarters.

 

Ekkachai Hongkangwan | Photo via Facebook/ เอกชัย หงส์กังวาน

 

In cases of arguments or altercations in the prison, Chinese inmates were always favoured, with Thai inmates being punished instead. Ekkachai also claimed that Chinese inmates used their wealth to hire Thai inmates as personal servants.

 

Ekkachai further alleged that what Chinese criminals feared most was deportation, as they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted in China. By remaining in Thailand, they could serve a few years in prison before returning to their illegal activities.

 

Ekkachai’s post drew significant public attention, with many calling for clarification on whether bribery and privilege among Chinese inmates truly occurred.

 

Photo via Facebook/ เรือนจำพิเศษกรุงเทพมหานคร

 

In response, the Department of Corrections announced an investigation into the claims. In an official statement, the department asserted that all prisons in Thailand, including Bangkok Remand Prison, operate in compliance with departmental rules and policies.

 

The department denied granting privileges to any group of inmates and pledged to investigate Ekkachai’s allegations thoroughly to uncover the truth. Officials also promised to hold any staff involved in corruption accountable.

 

In addition to this recent post, Ekkachai previously made headlines after sharing details of his sexual experiences in prison. That post led to further charges levied against him due to its explicit content.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-28

 

 

[jcmj]

Is anyone really shocked. It has been this way with wealthy Thais as well. Money speaks loudly here. 

[jippytum]

The Thai prison system is  corrupt as  most government institutions.  Look at the favourable treatment of Thaksin while incarcerated. 

[findlay13]

"In an official statement, the department asserted that all prisons in Thailand, including Bangkok Remand Prison, operate in compliance with departmental rules and policies."

 

 Nothing to see here !

[1duckyboy]

Yes, have the Department of Corrections investigate itself to get to the truth, not.

[PomPolo]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, snoop1130 said:

They allegedly managed to obtain fresh grilled salmon and cigars worth over 15,000 baht while in prison. They even had their own speaker system to play Chinese music.

Expand  

They should start renting rooms there on AirBnB and just get the committing the crime bit out of the way before the luxury Hilton stay.

[hotchilli]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, snoop1130 said:

A Thai political activist and former inmate accused officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of accepting bribes from a Chinese inmate and granting them privileges.

Expand  

I find that hard to believe, especially after they gave Thaksin such a hard time.

[willip]

Corruption! Never!! Unheard of. Ask THAKSIN. or anyone that wears a uniform. 

[riverhigh]

"In an official statement, the department asserted that all prisons in Thailand, including Bangkok Remand Prison, operate in compliance with departmental rules and policies."

 

No specific mention of taking bribes and granting special privileges in the department rules and policies, so all is well and in compliance. No mention of salmon and cigars in the department rules and policies. 

[bokningar]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, snoop1130 said:

The department denied granting privileges to any group of inmates and pledged to investigate Ekkachai’s allegations thoroughly to uncover the truth. Officials also promised to hold any staff involved in corruption accountable.

Expand  

If the people who paid bribes would be hold accountable as well, the Taxin might have to go to hospital again

[Asquith Production]

Isn't this guy shooting himself in the foot?

[kiwikeith]

  On 1/28/2025 at 9:38 PM, jippytum said:

The Thai prison system is  corrupt as  most government institutions.  Look at the favourable treatment of Thaksin while incarcerated. 

Expand  

Yes that neck brace must have been very sweaty and uncomfortable 

[kiwikeith]

  On 1/28/2025 at 11:21 PM, willip said:

Corruption! Never!! Unheard of. Ask THAKSIN. or anyone that wears a uniform. 

Expand  

And they will tell you the truth, nothing to worry about here. 

[Ironmike]

Bribes in Thailand not a chance, I'm sure that when Taksins sister Yingluck returns she with get placed into the Hilton except it will be the real Hilton 5 stars and all, I'm sure she will spend a night their like her brother,,, No corruption here in Thailand. 

[kiwikeith]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:52 PM, PomPolo said:

They should start renting rooms there on AirBnB and just get the committing the crime bit out of the way before the luxury Hilton stay.

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This is all top secret, the police are tricking them into giving up information on other persons.

[proton]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, snoop1130 said:

In addition to this recent post, Ekkachai previously made headlines after sharing details of his sexual experiences in prison. That post led to further charges levied against him due to its explicit content.

 

Expand  

 

Can somebody post this, might be more interesting than the rest of the article 😊

[kiwikeith]

  On 1/29/2025 at 12:10 AM, Asquith Production said:

Isn't this guy shooting himself in the foot?

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He might be giving the police time to hide the evidence 

[ronster]

Hate the game not the players.

Pretty sure it's like this in most prisons , if you have money you can get anything and have people working for you.

[Andycoops]

Hardly a shock in the land of corruption, bribes, can't bring murderers to justice etc etc

[thesetat]

  On 1/28/2025 at 9:21 PM, jcmj said:

Is anyone really shocked. It has been this way with wealthy Thais as well. Money speaks loudly here. 

Expand  

But, the officials said that the Chinese mans claims where false? Who are you going to believe? A corrupt official or a convicted Chinese inmate? 

[lordgrinz]

  On 1/29/2025 at 12:27 AM, kiwikeith said:

Yes that neck brace must have been very sweaty and uncomfortable 

Expand  

 

It was only there for Photo ops, you don't really believe he wore it all the time, do you? 

[Sydebolle]

This cannot be, someone here is lying through their teeth. Corruption in Thai penitentiaries? Impossible, just look up the files inmates like Yubamrung or Shinawatra where the top crust of society served their detention exactly like all the other culprits. 

[lordgrinz]

  On 1/29/2025 at 1:29 AM, Sydebolle said:

This cannot be, someone here is lying through their teeth. Corruption in Thai penitentiaries? Impossible, just look up the files inmates like Yubamrung or Shinawatra where the top crust of society served their detention exactly like all the other culprits. 

Expand  

 

Yes, the 5-star treatment, I believe it even came with a pool.

[shackleton]

Nothing surprises me any more corruption is he Norm here  in Thailand 

If you know someone in power or have plenty of money 💰 🤑 

You can get away with anything 

[digger70]

  On 1/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, snoop1130 said:

In an official statement, the department asserted that all prisons in Thailand, including Bangkok Remand Prison, operate in compliance with departmental rules and policies.

Expand  

Believe it or Not.   

[black tabby12345]

Bangkok prison scrutinised for bribes and Chinese inmate privilege

-------------------------------------------------

Looks like quite a few Little Thaksins in this kingdom.

Privilege in jail turned out to be no longer for the 0.1% of the kingdom alone LOL.

 

[Rinato]

It happens more or less in most of prisons all over the world. Powerful people, gangs, mafia alike never have hard time in jail. But hey, everything is going accordingly with the rules.

[trainman34014]

Always makes me laugh when a Thai Citizen is 'surprised' by Corruption in any Government Institution in this Country when i've never met a Thai who believes there is any honesty in any of them !

[Iron Tongue]

Where's the story?  Is anybody even a little bit surprised that money can buy privileges in prison?  

If I had to do time in a prison, the first thing I would do is to find the right people to pay-off for safety, better accommodations, and better food.  Who wouldn't?

 

The second thing I'd have done is get this symbol tattooed on my backside.

[Dont confuse me]

Omg a Thai in a position of authority accepting a bribe? What's the world coming to?