Ministry defends dubious late-night moves in Bangkok Remand Prison
The Justice Ministry on Wednesday defended the so-called suspicious activity of prison officials described in key anti-establishment figure Arnon Nampa’s letter.
In his letter, Arnon said prison officials visited the cell at 9pm on Monday and tried to usher fellow Ratsadon group members – Panupong “Mike” Jadnok and Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa – out for a Covid-19 test.
However, Arnon said he and other people in the cell stopped the two from following the prison guards as it was suspicious and was at night.
The officials then left their cell and returned in larger numbers three times, at 11.45pm, 12.15am and 2.30am. Arnon said all officials were armed with batons, adding that there were also some men in blue uniforms with no name tags.
The letter said they were afraid for their lives.
The missive was later handed to Arnon’s friend who posted it on Facebook, and it almost immediately went viral.
On Wednesday, Thanakrit Chit-areerat, secretary to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, said in the “Inside Thailand” TV show that the officials only wanted to test Panupong and Jatupat for Covid-19.
He said the two prisoners had been brought to the Bangkok Remand Prison from Thonburi Prison, which is a high-risk area for Covid-19. Hence, he said, the two needed to undergo swab tests, even though they are quarantined.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court summoned Arnon and the prison commander to testify on Wednesday morning.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that he told prison authorities to install more CCTVs to monitor activities.