The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) have received several complaints relating to the right to public health services related to detainees’ rights, claiming that the government measures to care for detainees are not able to minimize or eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in prisons.
            As such, on September 6, B.E. 2564 [2021] at 1.30 p.m., Miss Sayamol Kaiyoorawong, Commissioner, along with officers visited the Department of Corrections Hospital, Ngamwongwan Road, Chatuchak District, Bangkok. They discussed with Watchai Mingbunjerdsuk, M.D., acting Director of the Department of Corrections Hospital, and related officials to coordinate human rights protection for detainees in political and other cases who contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during their time in prisons.
            On this occasion, the Commissioner visited wards and inquired about medical and public health measures and practices applied to the group of detainees with COVID-19. The acting Director elaborated on efficient and strict medical standards for prevention, treatment and control of COVID-19 spread. He provided information that detainees, including those in political cases, are well-cared for and have progressively improved symptoms. Many of the accused in political cases are COVID-19 patients in the recovery phase without severe symptoms, who will recover and be escorted back to prisons shortly.
            The Commissioner spoke to two detainees in political cases, namely Mr. Parit Chiwarak and Mr. Chartchai Kaedam, over the telephone. She learned of their improved symptoms but was concerned about their rights to health and public health access upon them being escorted back to prisons with the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The competent authority of the Office of the NHRCT also spoke to other detainees who were treated at the Hospital and who provided information that health standards are being met.
            “The NHRCT will investigate and coordinate the protection in the above complaints quickly, and we commit to our code of conduct in protecting the patient’s rights and hearing facts from all parties”, said Miss Kaiyoorawong.