Bang Kwang prison’s commandant removed after some 10 cellphones were found in prison



BANGKOK: -- The commandant of Bang Kwang maximum security prison has been removed after police seized more than 10 cellphones from some prisoners who allegedly conducted drugs trade from the prison.

The removal of Mr Suraphol Kaewparadai was ordered by Mr Witthaya Suriyawong, director-general of Corrections Department, who appointed his deputy, Mr Ruangsak Suvaree, as acting commandant of the prison pending the appointment of a permanent replacement.

A fact-find committee was set up to investigate Mr Suraphol although he has tendered his resignation to be effective as of September.

Mr Suraphol’s removal stemmed from the police arrest of Mr Wutthichai Ontachan with 21 kgs of heroin worth about 50 million baht in Pathum Thani on January 23.

Wutthichai reportedly told police he was hired by a Mr O, a prisoner in Bang Kwang prison, to deliver the drug to customers in Pathum Thani, Chon Buri and Hat Yai in exchange for 500,000 baht in fees. Since then, police investigated drug network in the prison and launched a raid netting about 10 cellphones.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/150446


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-11

Now I know why they call them cell phones.

This former commandant should now be an inmate of this very facility...

Is there any institution or even any job that hasnt been corrupted in Thailand? I use the term institution very lightly in LOS.

Even Buddhism is not immune from scandals.

The PM runs this country like its his own military barracks.Whenever he holds a press conference he glares and points at people he doesnt like and threatens them.......then walks out in a huff.

I wouldnt be surprised if Yingluck makes a comeback and becomes the next PM......again.

Nothing changes in thailand.

Worldwide problem. It won't go away.

Now I know why they call them cell phones.

good one, Sir

Something very fishy here !!10 cell phones found in cells.

Big boss or someone taking backhanders for them to get inside a top security prison.

When i was locked up in Buriram prison, they checked my bag inside 2 cans of cola poured them down the drain.

Rumor has it the prisoners squealed on the commandant because he wouldn't allow phones with 4G capability; only 3G.

Wonder how much he got in kickbacks to allow this?

Shawshank Redemption.

Perhaps depriving use of cell phones considered "cruel and unusual punishment".

"about 10 cellphones"? How many would that be, exactly?

Not suprrise, a friend who is in the same prison says iphone 6 costs couple million baht (forgot how much but over 2 million) to obtain in the prison, folks who have it obviously are big time drug dealers who can make that money back with a single call.

to investigate Mr Suraphol although he has tendered his resignation to be effective as of September.

September? Is he going on vacation? Business must have been good...

Perhaps depriving use of cell phones considered "cruel and unusual punishment".

Nearly all prisons world wide has a collection of confiscated cell phones and history's of inmates dealing from the inside, crooked wardens and bent prison officials, big problem in NZ, private prisons taking the lead.

I wonder how these "prisoners" registered there phones then.

"about 10 cellphones"? How many would that be, exactly?

More than 10. Most probably.

Phones in thai prisons, nothing new, unusual- par for the course....

...there you have it....

what do they say all good things must come to an end 10 cell phones yes it must have been very lax in the prison it sounds as if the prison staff were involved as well .

Phones cost over 2 million inside.

How much is a warders salary? 12K a month?

You aren't going to stop it are you?

Edited February 11, 201610 yr by JAG

what the cellphones brand names? iphone? samsung? etc.. haha

I wonder how many colleagues send congrats to his FB account for catching an inactive post for 7 month.

Cellphones in jail are found everywhere in the world, so no need to blame Thailand or anybody who got some reward for just accepting the truth !

"about 10 cellphones"? How many would that be, exactly?

More than 10. Most probably.

they found 14, but 5 were bought back by inmates. so now it's 9.

What does resignation effective as of September mean? Back dating his benefits to September 2015? Staying on the job until September 2016?

I think its a clever scheme: You give your mates a chance to run the prison with all its benefits for a while, the remove them under suspicion (but no charges) then the next friend has a go. Everyone wins: Friends make money and you look like you're trying to stamp out corruption in your prisons.

From what i understand, a block of phones can be made around any prison. So surely its up to the government to do this, or is someone on the take there as well.

nevermind the phones,

Khun Wutthichai is going to be in one big piece of s**t when he lands in big tiger .

Edited February 13, 201610 yr by dirtycash

From what i understand, a block of phones can be made around any prison. So surely its up to the government to do this, or is someone on the take there as well.

It was discussed, but the prison officers complained about it as they would have nothing to do during their shifts.