"Corrections Department" provides clarification on the case of "Ekachai Hongkangwan" an inmate held at Klong Prem Central Prison requesting to receive medical treatment outside the prison.
On 6 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the Facebook pagePublic Relations of the Corrections Departmentposted a statement titled "Corrections Department Clarifies Case of Inmate at Klong Prem Central Prison Requesting Medical Treatment Outside the Prison." It stated, "Regarding reports that Mr. Ekachai Hongkangwan, currently detained at Klong Prem Central Prison as an inmate undergoing appeal and final hearing for the offense of attempting to infringe on the liberty of the Queen, is seriously ill in prison,
the Corrections Department has verified the facts and found that Mr. Ekachai was previously held at Bangkok Special Prison with a sentence of 7 months and 3 days, starting 6 Jul 2023 and released on 4 Feb 2024. During that detention, he had a history of liver abscess from 1 Sep 2023 and received treatment at the Corrections Hospital and was referred to Rajavithi Hospital, where specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology treated him. The abscess size reduced to a scar in the liver, considered a satisfactory outcome, and antibiotics were stopped. In December 2023, doctors scheduled follow-ups, with continued appointments at Rajavithi Hospital into Mar 2024. He was released on 4 Feb 2024."
On 5 Aug 2025, Mr. Ekachai was re-detained at Bangkok Special Prison and transferred to Klong Prem Central Prison. Upon intake, a health check found vital signs and general condition normal. Medical history revealed previous liver abscess and scheduled follow-ups at Rajavithi Hospital on 27 Dec 2023 and again on 27 Mar 2024.
The Klong Prem Central Prison medical facility has found no records of continuous treatment for Mr. Ekachai while outside prison. However, to ensure inmates with illnesses under the department's care receive ongoing medical treatment, coordination was made for doctors from the Corrections Hospital to examine him, with referral to Rajavithi Hospital if necessary as per his treatment history. Currently, Mr. Ekachai experiences abdominal pain but can care for himself and perform normal activities. The prison medical facility has dispensed medication as prescribed until the next doctor’s appointment.
Furthermore, the Corrections Department has instructed all prisons and correctional institutions nationwide to strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations, and rules uniformly throughout all processes—from admission, conduct within prison, to release—especially implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inmate management to ensure effective control and care of prisoners under trial, in accordance with human rights principles.".
Thanks to the Public Relations Facebook page of the Corrections Department