Inside Thailand’s Prisons: A Conversation with Freedom Bridge
On April 11, 2026, Engage Thailand hosted the fourth episode of The Deep Dive with Freedom Bridge’s Program Coordinator, Nattamon Supornvate, to discuss Thailand’s prison conditions and the urgent reforms needed to protect the dignity and rights of incarcerated people, especially political prisoners. Drawing from Freedom Bridge’s work with political prisoners and their recently released Thailand Annual Prison Report 2026—produced in collaboration with FIDH and the Union for Civil Liberty (UCL)—Nattamon shared firsthand observations of the systemic problems facing prisoners across the country.
“I would have to say, in the beginning, it might be hard to feel connected to political prisoners, but if you really look closely, they are just normal people, everyday people like us.”
One of the most visible issues is the continued excessive use of restraints and solitary confinement. Nattamon explained that prisoners, including political detainees, are routinely brought to court in heavy leg shackles and handcuffs. “Sometimes those shackles weigh more than two or three kilograms, and it makes it really, really hard for them to walk and stand up straight,” she said. These practices not only violate basic dignity but also reflect how punishment extends beyond imprisonment itself.
Healthcare access inside prisons remains another serious concern. Nattamon described how emergencies are often ignored or punished rather than treated. Prisoners who ring for help during the night can face disciplinary action the next morning for “disturbing everyone,” sometimes resulting in collective punishment like forced jumping jacks. In one case, a political prisoner who suffered a stroke and partial paralysis had to wait eight days before being transferred to a correctional hospital. “I think that’s what we would all agree is an emergency,” she noted, highlighting the dangerous inadequacy of prison healthcare systems.
Food and daily living conditions are equally alarming. With only around 15 baht per person per day allocated for meals—roughly fifty cents—prison food is often insufficient in both quality and quantity. This is why Freedom Bridge regularly steps in to provide food support to political prisoners whenever possible. “The quality of the food that they are given is really bad,” Nattamon explained, emphasizing how humanitarian aid often fills gaps left by the system itself.
Restrictions on visitation further isolate prisoners from their support systems. Many prisons require inmates to submit a list of only ten approved visitors, and some facilities limit those names to family members who share the same last name. This excludes close friends and chosen family who may be central sources of emotional support. Lawyers also face unnecessary restrictions, with some prisons limiting legal visits to only fifteen minutes, despite international standards that recognize confidential and meaningful legal access as a right.
Beyond physical conditions, Nattamon stressed the lasting psychological impact of incarceration. One former political prisoner told Freedom Bridge that even a year after release, she still dreams about being in prison. The trauma was not only about overcrowding or poor sanitation, but also the deeply humiliating culture of control. She recalled being forced to prove she was menstruating in order to be allowed to use the bathroom outside designated hours—a stark example of how prison hierarchy strips people of privacy and dignity.
Nattamon closed by reminding the audience that political prisoners are not distant figures, but ordinary people. “They are just normal people, everyday people like us,” she said. They include students, workers, farmers, and business owners across generations. Her message was clear: understanding prison conditions is not only about justice for prisoners, but about recognizing our shared humanity.
Engage Thailand remains committed to creating spaces for conversations like these and amplifying voices working toward justice and human rights in Thailand. Stay connected with us through our newsletter so you do not miss future opportunities to learn and engage.
