Story at a glance
- Some 300 police officers were called to the scene to quell the disturbance when prisoners began setting fires and destroying property at the Krabi prison.
- Riot leaders were demanding the transfer of around 300 prisoners who had contracted the virus.
- Gov. Puthipong Sirimat agreed to immediately transfer 14 seriously ill inmates.
Nearly 400 inmates reportedly set fires and rioted at a Thai prison on Thursday, demanding better treatment for prisoners sick with COVID-19.
Police Maj. Gen. Chaiwat Ouikham said some 300 police officers were called to the scene to quell the disturbance when prisoners began setting fires and destroying property at the Krabi prison, which holds more than 2,000 people, according to The Associated Press (AP).
The Bangkok Post reported riot leaders were demanding the transfer of around 300 prisoners who had contracted the virus. No deaths have been reported so far, but the Post noted three prisoners sustained injuries from rubber bullets fired during an attempted escape.
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Following negotiations, Gov. Puthipong Sirimat agreed to immediately transfer 14 sick inmates. Puthipong reportedly added that health care workers administered COVID-19 tests at the prison after the unrest, according to The AP.
Additionally, female inmates will be transferred to other facilities in an effort to address overcrowding at the site.
The Thai Corrections Department reported a total of 86,432 COVID-19 cases, including 185 deaths in the prison system before Thursday, according to The AP.
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