OVER 100 PATIENTS FLEE KRABI REHAB FACILITY, ALLEGING ABUSE

OVER 100 PATIENTS FLEE KRABI REHAB FACILITY, ALLEGING ABUSE

More than 100 drug rehabilitation patients have fled a treatment facility at a Krabi island, claiming they were abused there.

Nation Thailand reports that over 100 patients at the facility on Siboya Island escaped, claiming they were physically abused while undergoing treatment for drug addictions.

It’s understood that officers at Khlong Khanan Police Station were alerted by local residents on Siboya Island, who reported that patients had fled the drug rehabilitation centre and were attempting to get off the island (which is just off the coast of Krabi mainland and connected with a ferry service only).

At this stage, most of the patients were gathered on the beach, by a nearby pier, as they tried to figure out how to leave Siboya. Officers began negotiating with the patients, trying to persuade them to return to the facility. However, their attempts were met by refusal and allegations of physical abuse.

According to the patients, they could no longer remain at the facility due to how cruelly they were being beaten. It’s understood they also told police a number of people had died from the abuse at the centre.

Others claim that some patients were not allowed to leave the facility, even after finishing their treatment programme, but were instead kept as labourers.

It’s understood that so far, 82 patients have been taken to Khlong Kanan Police Station, where they are expected to be picked up by family members and taken home.