Youths to be charged with arson over rehabilitationcentre attack

Of the 66 who escaped, 47 have been taken into custody while centre officials are negotiating with parents of the 19 who are still at large, Thassanawilai Krainara said.

She added that five out of the six buildings in the centre had been burned down and would need to be demolished. The damage is estimated at Bt19 million, excluding other properties and computers also destroyed.

Of 500 boys, 140 of them have been at the provincial prison, another 100 at a Bangkok facility and another 175 are still at the centre.

Provincial police said five of six leaders of the groups have been apprehended and anyone found involved in the torching would be charged with arson. Many boys with evidence or burn residue on their clothes and bodies are prime suspects for the arson charge, officers added.