Calm returns to Trang prison

The riot by inmates at Trang prison came to a halt after the Governor met with representatives of the prisoners and reached a compromise.

Trang Governor Senee Jitkasem met at 1pm with five inmates representing some 100 prisoners who had protested what they described as harsh conditions in jail after the transfer of a warden.

In the morning, the prisoners set tyres and their mattresses on fire, and used slingshots against prison guards but no casualties were reported.

An initial investigation found that the riot was caused by inmates dissatisfied over the transfer of Subin Thanasapkasem, warden of zone 2, to another department.

The prisoners claimed the removal of their warden had worsened their living conditions.

Referring to the eight-point proposal submitted by the inmates, the governor said the authorities agreed with most of the proposals, which were allowed by the regulations.

The governor rejected a proposal to compromise on the anti-narcotics crackdown.

However he ordered the maintaining of forces inside and outside the prison to provide safety.

Two fire engines were dispatched to extinguish the fires at the prison while more than 150 policemen and territorial defence volunteers were deployed to contain the situation.