Celebrity convict Apirak “Sia Po” Chat-anon remains locked in the tightest zone of a notorious maximum-security prison, despite claiming multiple attempts on his life by fellow convicts.
The 32-year-old was transferred to Bang Kwang maximum-security prison last year after reportedly stirring serious trouble at Klong Prem Central Prison.
“We received a report that he has his own style of instigating violence,” said Sompop Sangkhutkaew, deputy director-general of the Corrections Department.
Sompop denied Apirak’s recent allegation that a gang of inmates had tried to kill him in Zone 10 of the maximum-security prison, saying that it was just a fight and nobody had been injured.
Ruse to get transferred?
Apirak has petitioned Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong for an investigation into why he was shifted to the maximum-security prison, which is reserved for prisoners convicted by a final court ruling.
The verdict of Apirak’s appeal against his 2022 conviction for promoting online gambling and money laundering is still pending. He was sentenced to 50 years in jail.
His lawyer Witoon Keng-ngarn claims fellow convicts at Bang Kwang prison have tried to kill Apirak several times.
“On January 23, a gang of around eight inmates tried to stab Apirak while he was filling in a form for treatment inside a staff room,” he said. “The gang was unhappy that Apirak had refused to help negotiate a deal.”
A source at the prison believes Apirak may, however, be deliberately stirring violence with the aim of securing a transfer to a less harsh detention zone.
Inmates in Zone 10 of Bang Kwang where Apirak is incarcerated are rarely allowed access to the outdoors. Most of them are locked in solitary confinement, though some share their cell with one or two other inmates. No televisions are permitted in this zone.
“Inmates are only allowed to leave their cells for an hour or two per day. This regime can cause some to wreak havoc in a bid to get moved to another zone or prison,” the source said.
The alleged attempted stabbing of Apirak resulted in the transfer of several inmates, though he was not among those moved.
Zone 10 is reserved for prisoners who are deemed to be troublemakers or at risk of escape.
Apirak, a former net idol, celebrity boxer and underworld figure with connections in high places, likes to flaunt a macho, bad-boy image.
Constant danger behind bars
While authorities have played down the alleged death threats against Apirak, former convict and prison-gang leader Akkarin Puri emphasises the dangers that lurk in Thai prisons.
“Inmates’ lives are at risk because of the many different types of people and gangs [in prisons]. Tensions and rivalries lead to frequent fights and stabbings,” he said, citing incidents he said he had witnessed behind bars.
Akkarin, aka Rang Phra Nakhon, said he has turned over a new leaf after spending years behind bars on multiple convictions. During that time, he became the leader of a large a prison gang.
He explained that inmates often feel their lives hang in the balance since they cannot tell friend from foe behind bars, meaning there’s always a possibility they could upset someone with their actions.
“Even a wrong comment can lead to a deadly attack,” Akkarin said. The weapons of choice are sharpened steel rods that are used to stab victims.
And while prison officers are on duty around the clock, they are vastly outnumbered by the prisoners. So even if there are officers on hand to prevent fights, attacks still occur, he explained.
By Thai PBS World’s General Desk
