Krabi —
On June 29th, 2024, Mueang Krabi police received a report of 26 recovering drug addicts escaping from a rehabilitation foundation in Mueang, Krabi.
According to police, the group allegedly stole a long-tail boat to escape to Mueang Krabi. Some were spotted walking on Hemthanon Road. After nearly an hour, police captured 11 of the escapees.
The police negotiated with the 11 individuals, who initially resisted returning to the foundation. Fifteen patients remain at large.
One escapee told police they fled because they wanted to go home and refused to return to the foundation, which reportedly houses over 1,000 individuals. The patient cited alleged poor quality of life and food, and harsh punishments for mistakes.
They also claimed they were only allowed to spend 20 baht per day from money sent by their families, barely enough to buy anything decent to eat.
Police are currently contacting the families of the escapees, as they refuse to return to the rehabilitation foundation.
The foundation, whose full name has been withheld for legal reasons, has not yet formally responded to the alleged complaints.
