I watched the news about the UBC system at Bangkwang prison and I was happy to hear that this service was offered to the prisoners for free. However, my friend, who is one of those Bangkwang prisoners, told me a whole different story that didn’t sound so positive. I thought you might want to know about this, so now I’m writing you.

It was stated that this UBC system was provided as a service free of charge for the prisoners. The fact is, that anyone who wanted to watch this free UBC was charged a service fee for ‘installation costs’, a charge of about 1,500 Baht per cell. The money was charged and received by the former chief of building #3, Mr Chawangpat Kitteesuknawin, who later denied to have charged or received any money. Mr Kitteesuknawin did take the credits for providing UBC and he got promoted. To me, that sounds like Mr Kitteesuknawin did not deserve this promotion and I’m kindly asking you to do something about it. Most of the prisoners are very poor and they need the money to pay for decent food.

My friend made a complaint to the prison manager, about this situation and some other issues concerning corruption and exploitation of prisoners. The result is that my friend is being victimized and harassed daily by Mr Kitteesuknawin and his complaint has been written off as lies. He is afraid to get punished even more for complaining. Please help him.

The Thai and foreign prisoners have very few (if any) rights and they’re doing their utmost to make the public outside aware of the extent of injustice within the Thai justice system.

If anybody can help support their plight in any way, they and I would be most grateful. I trust on your righteous view on this case.

Yours sincerely,
Mr A.B. van den Hatert
Amsterdam, Holland