Prisons Hold Special Operations Tactical Challenge 2025

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath.

The Department of Corrections has launched a tactical skills competition for prison special operations teams, aimed at enhancing the abilities of officers in handling emergency situations behind bars.

On 13 August, Mr Kalayut Panasarn, Director of the Department of Corrections’ Correctional Science Division, presided over the opening of the Thailand Prison Lockdown Challenge (TPLC) 2025. The event was attended by Mr Supamit Sitthilo, Director of the Special Operations Unit, prison directors, correctional facility commanders and officers from across the department.

Running from 11 to 16 August, the TPLC 2025 brought together over 120 participants, including representatives from ten regional correctional facilities. Each team consisted of seven operational officers and one supervisory director, who competed in simulated scenarios designed to test physical endurance, mental resilience and tactical teamwork under challenging conditions.

The competition also drew on international expertise, with officers from Singapore’s Department of Corrections sharing best practices in tactical prison operations. Organisers noted that lessons learned from the Asian Prisons Lockdown Challenge (APLC) in Singapore in 2016, 2018 and 2023 were adapted to the Thai context, alongside support from Thailand’s Narasuan 261 Special Operations Unit.

Tasks were structured to replicate real-world threats in correctional settings, requiring participants to apply tactical knowledge, cooperation, and problem-solving skills to neutralise potential risks effectively.

The Department of Corrections emphasised that events like TPLC 2025 play a vital role in raising operational standards, strengthening team coordination and improving emergency response capabilities within Thai prisons. Officials said the training ultimately contributes to enhancing safety, security and overall standards within the country’s justice system.

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamRath 2025-08-15