The Akha Gulag in Thailand

The Thai prison system moves Akha prisoners far from their homes

The Thai prison system works hand in hand with the police and army to incarcerate large numbers of Akha. Though exploited in Thailand for millions in tourism dollars, with the government pandering all kinds of hill tribe exhibits, the Akha are treated in disgust by the Thai government in general. Arbitrary arrest for no reason and arrest for minor infractions gives the government the power to chose to break up families and destroy the Akha community by just one more means. Severe abuse of detainees and prisoners, often resulting in death, by security forces on the other hand is not prosecuted.

The number of Akha in Thai prisons is not known. But the figures that Akha prisoners give is significantly higher and more consistent than the official numbers given out by prison officials.

By our Akha Prisoner Support effort we seek to identify all Akha prisoners in Thailand and keep in touch with them, providing what ever level of support we can and documenting their cases.

Akha prisoners are moved from the prisons in their local area to distant locations far from family.  This makes family visits difficult.  Many arbitrary arrests, arrest for small infractions and harsh prison terms cause families to break up, the wife or husband choosing to remarry because the situation looks so hopeless.

Because prison officials are less than cooperative it is very difficult to get good visits to these prisoners or satisfactory information about them.

Prisoners may wait 15 months from the time of their arrest till their initial trial, even when the circumstances suggest that the case against them is extremely flimsy. Family hardship is not taken into consideration. The Akha often have no available money for a lawyer, and the investigation into army or police procedure is non existent.

Akha prisoners may be moved to distant provinces and loose all contact with their families, family members not being well informed of what has happened to them. Abandoned by circumstances, the Akha prisoner will spend years far from home, without access to visitors or education

Considering the deep interest in the hill tribe communities to exploit their every land, labor and touristic resource, we consider this treacherous double standard on the part of the Thai government in violation of international norms and totally unacceptable.

In a word the Akha are without a voice.

Please enquire how you may help the Akha in prison

Prison Update:

Despite its terrifying look, the Chiangrai Prison is easy to access for visitors.

Built for 3500 inmates it already has 6500. Prisoners say the cells are crowded and that the food is not good enough for maintaining good health.

We found Akha staff assisting families, and were informed that about 350 of the prisoners are Akha.

Visitors may buy food for prisoners, fruit is available for this, and may also make a deposit in the prisoner's bank account for them to spend on the inside.

We found the prison staff very friendly and helpful, whatever the reason for the prisoner's arrival, at least this is beneficial.

Visiting Hours:
Visiting hours are M-F 9:30 -12:00 and 1:30 - 3:00
Please get there at least 30 minutes before the time you wish to see the prisoner. You must know their name.

Items which you wish to give prisoners must be mailed to them.

Visiting time is 15 minutes per visit, but you can visit daily if you wish.  Twice a day? Not sure.

Our Goal:
Akha reading material for Akha prisoners.