Mother Builds Prison Cell at Home to Confine Her 40-Year-Old Son Addicted to Drugs

64-Year-Old Thai Woman Imprisoned Son, 42, in Jail Cell
Released After Rehabilitation but Risk of Recurrence Remains
"Lived in Fear for 20 Years"...Public Debate Ensues

A mother in Thailand was caught after building a jail cell at home to stop her drug-addicted son. On the 10th, local media 'Khaosok' reported, "A 64-year-old woman in Buriram Province, eastern Thailand, was caught on the 6th after installing a jail cell with iron bars at her home to confine her 42-year-old son addicted to drugs." The woman said she installed the jail cell fearing that her son, who had recently completed rehabilitation and been released, might harm her or the neighbors.

The woman reportedly told the police, "I have lived in constant fear for 20 years." Local authorities stated, "Installing a detention facility inside the home and confining the son is an illegal human rights violation," but also explained, "This desperate measure came as the son's behavior, after decades of addiction, rehabilitation, and relapse, became increasingly aggressive and unpredictable." Authorities plan to assess whether the son requires hospital treatment.

This case is a representative example showing the severity of the drug crisis Thailand is facing. On the 7th, Thawit Setsing, Minister of Justice, mentioned the incident at the National Drug Prevention, Control, and Problem Solving Committee meeting, emphasizing that "solutions beyond simple crackdowns on drug traffickers are necessary."

Previously, a shocking case was reported where a 3-year-old boy in Udon Thani Province, northeastern Thailand, was rescued by police after wandering alone on a highway, having been neglected by his drug-addicted mother. The child was rescued following a witness report while walking about 15 km to his grandmother's house. The mother was addicted to drugs, consuming them every 3 to 4 days, and was found to have frequently neglected the child, causing him to starve and beg for food from neighbors and temples.

Thailand has faced serious drug problems due to the influx of narcotics from the 'Golden Triangle,' a major global drug-producing area located along the borders with Myanmar and Laos. In 2022, the Thai government excluded marijuana from the narcotics classification and allowed home cultivation. However, in June last year, a case became public where a teenage boy who smoked marijuana stabbed his grandfather with a weapon and then took his own life. Since then, the government has regarded drug issues as a top national priority and has been working on countermeasures, including efforts to revoke legalization starting earlier this year.