Tightening Cell Phone Signals In Thai Prisons To Curb Drug Trafficking.

[Lite Beer]

Tightening cell phone signals in prison to curb drug trafficking.

BANGKOK, April 24 - In an effort to reduce drug trafficking in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday he has ordered for the cut off of cellular phone signals in prisons after finding that a number of illegal drug trafficking transactions were made by prisoners.

Mr Abhisit said during his weekly TV and radio address while inspecting a prison in Muang district of Ratchaburi province, near Bangkok, that several arrests were made on major drug traffickers in the past and that there was still a need to strengthen communities where there are many. drug addicts or traffickers.

Many cases of arrest also involved drug networks in the jails. Prisoners were caught making orders via cell phones so the signal will be cut off within the prison compound to stop the communications, according to the premier.

He said from now on police will be bolstering anti-drug suppression in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces, as these areas accounted for one-third of drug trafficking nationwide. Over 2,100 policemen will be deployed to inspect entertainment venues where drug deals are made.

The cabinet during its meeting this Tuesday will approve a special budget for the police, Mr Abhisit said.

Mr Abhisit said he would travel to Mae Hong Son province bordering Myanmar tomorrow to observe the drug smuggling situation along the border.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Bureau Pol Maj Gen Sumet Ruangsawat told a news conference that a gang of two men and one girl were apprehended recently on the outskirts of Bangkok after police allegedly found 100,000 amphetamine pills in their possession.

The seized drugs were found inside their car trunk, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Sumet said the two men were previously imprisoned on charges of drug trafficking at Bang Kwang prison and had communicated with drug trafficking syndicates outside the prison during their incarceration and worked with them once released. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2011-04-24

[dumball]

Would not a more productive manner of merely removing all cell phones from prisoners delete the possible use there-of to continue trafficking from the safety of prison ? Would also prevent them from inter communication amongst themselves at the same time .

[champken]

Would not a more productive manner of merely removing all cell phones from prisoners delete the possible use there-of to continue trafficking from the safety of prison ? Would also prevent them from inter communication amongst themselves at the same time .

In theory your suggestion makes sense....however, unfortuately TiT so without doubt there may be one or two prison guards who just may be corruptable

[DP25]

Would not a more productive manner of merely removing all cell phones from prisoners delete the possible use there-of to continue trafficking from the safety of prison ? Would also prevent them from inter communication amongst themselves at the same time .

Not really, it's impossible to get them all. Even the US has failed dismally at preventing prisoners from smuggling cell phones. Last year California alone confiscated over 10,000 phones in prison, they can not stop them from getting in. Jamming the signal is the best way.

[asiawatcher]

Would not a more productive manner of merely removing all cell phones from prisoners delete the possible use there-of to continue trafficking from the safety of prison ? Would also prevent them from inter communication amongst themselves at the same time .

In theory your suggestion makes sense....however, unfortuately TiT so without doubt there may be one or two prison guards who just may be corruptable

A lot of the ordering goes via the guards for special "treatment" and profit share and distribution on the inside. But taking cell phones will certainly help, blocking signals also but in the event of riot only land lines would not be enough to call for help.

[Falcon]

I have a friend who is currently on remand in a Bangkok prison and at a price of 150,000 baht per phone for a phone in the market for an average 9,000 baht only the people who have money can afford to have them. If they are then found out on the monthly (supposedly random) checks they need to pay for a new phone every time. A good business for some of the inmates and a good kickback to the guards too.

They will never stop phones being smuggles in to the jails as its the guards running the operation.

[pampal]

They sell mobile phone jammers in MBK

[EyesWideOpen]

Hmmmm let's see. The operators of gogo bars in Nana Plaza have determined that customers using mobile phones cuts into their income, so they have jammers to block the signal. Pretty simple technology apparently. Hey maybe if a prison official went into a gogo he could figure this out !!!

[yougivemebaby]

They sell mobile phone jammers in MBK

Any idea how much they are?

[Mosha]

My wife's mobile phone stops working as soon as she crosses the southern border, surely they can be stopped working inside a prison.