Buddhist inmates to be moved after riot breaks out in Pattani prison

Of the Buddhist prisoners, 39 are being detained at the same cell as the Muslim inmates who sparked the riots and will be moved as soon as space is available at a prison in Songkhla. A Buddhist prisoner who was severely beaten during the Monday riots succumbed to his injuries last night bringing the number of casualties up to two. A Burmese inmate remains hospitalised.

The situation returned to normal yesterday when some Muslim inmates were allowed visits from their relatives. However, as a preventative measure, all knives and sharp objects were removed from the prison's kitchen and only 20 visitors were admitted at a time until further notice.

In a separate incident, 30yearold Muslim inmate, Morabi Yalee, died from a stroke early yesterday. Since his condition was chronic, his relatives have not sought an investigation into his death.

A meeting was held by Corrections Department directorgeneral Chartchai Sutthiphrome to discuss longterm measures to deal with crowded conditions and prevent future riots. The officials also discussed the possibility of constructing new prisons and finding more staff, though no decision had been made about inmates detained for security offences influencing and instigating other inmates.

"The situation has returned to normal. Staff shortage is a reason attributing to the problem in addition to overcrowding," Chartchai said, adding that Justice Minister Pracha Promnok had been informed of all the details and was expected to provide further instructions.

"Criminal procedure will be conducted to find out who is responsible for the injuries and deaths," he added.

MajGeneral Akkhara Thiproj, a senior Internal Security Operations Command official based in the deep South, said transferring Buddhist inmates was not a longterm solution and voiced his support for the speedy construction of new prisons. The officer said insurgents were causฌing unrest and divisions among residents in the South, though he did not confirm that they were behind the recent prison riots.