The visit, which began at 9:30am, was welcomed by Phuket Prison Commander Prinya Srithanyakaew; Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob; Komon Dumlak, Chairman of the Islamic Committee of Phuket; along with representatives from various government agencies, religious groups, local leaders and prison officials.
One of the key events of the day was the inauguration of a newly constructed prayer building located outside the prison walls. The facility is intended to provide a suitable space for the families of inmates and members of the public visiting the prison to engage in religious activities.
The Minister also observed the ‘Meeting Close Relatives’ programme, which allows inmates from the five southern border provinces to reunite with family members.
During this session, Minister Thawee met with inmates, offered words of encouragement and toured booths showcasing vocational training projects funded by the PPAO, including displays of inmate craftsmanship and cultural music performances by prisoners from the Deep South.
Following this, Mr Thawee officially opened the ‘Prison Sharing Building’ in the women’s zone of the facility. This new area features a sharing room, a counseling room, a mother-and-child room and a nurse’s room designed to enhance inmate wellbeing, said an official report of the visit.
The Minister also personally met with 530 female inmates to offer guidance and support.
Another highlight of the visit was a religious lecture activity for 640 Muslim inmates in Zone 6, led by Hassan Jewae, President of the Sai Buri Volunteer Club, and scholars from the southern provinces. The session aimed to provide spiritual motivation and life guidance rooted in Islamic principles.
Before concluding his visit, the Minister addressed the general inmate population, urging them to view their time in prison as a ‘school for life’. He introduced what he called the ‘6 Os’ as a moral compass for prison life and reintegration, and reinforced the ministry’s commitment to justice by stating, “O injustice will never happen in prison”.
Mr Thawee also promoted the Department of Corrections’ reading initiative, under which inmates can reduce their sentence by reading approved books. He encouraged prisoners to use their time productively to better prepare for rejoining society.
The Minister thanked all involved parties ‒ including prison staff, local authorities, religious leaders and community members ‒ for their continued support in improving rehabilitation efforts, noting that the joint cooperation demonstrated real progress in uplifting the quality of life for inmates.