On the 20th of September, we as students from BA201 (Business law) class were given a auspicious opportunity to visit the Bang Kwang Central Prison, which is located in Nonthaburi province.  Bangkwang is Thailand's central, high-security prison for men.  It is a harsh prison which handles death row and long-sentence prisoners.  Gathering at Thammasat University about 7 o?clock in the morning did not hesitate our enthusiasm since we had been told about the coming field trip since the beginning of the academic year.  All of our belongings must be kept in the BBA office room because we did not allow bringing any of them with us into the prison.  

Then, we were in the comfortable bus and arrived to Bang Kwang Central Prison within an hour.  We noticed a group of visitors waiting in lines to apply applications, nevertheless we already contacted officially beforehand so it did not take us too long to get the visitor cards and enter inside the prison area.  With all strictly security, the number of students must be recounted often to ensure no students get lost and left behind.  The official guards walked us to lead the way to stop at auditorium, where the director of Bang Kwang Prison welcomed us and gave us a powerpoint presentation about general knowledge on this place.  Bang Kwang Central Prison can be traced back when King Rama V had arranged to buy a large piece of land in Nonthaburi province.  

The prison divides into 13 seperate sections and 25 workshops.  Regarding to the absolute protection, the outside walls and inside walls are 6 metres high and 1 metre beneath the ground equipped with high voltage wires.  The recreation and entertainment facilities are available to all inmates.  These include library, television, radio, video, movies and various types of sports and games.  These activities keep inmates strong and provide physical and emotional release.  They enable inmates to experience interpersonal and group relations, self-confidence and new better ways to spend their leisure time upon release.  At that time, we saw a group of inmates in the computer lab, and they were all pleasurable on their own.  

We were educated with the presentation and eventually came to the climax of the trip: watching video of execution by the old traditional method (shooting) and the new method (lethal injection).  I was very hungry but when the video started, I suddenly forgot my hunger and concentrated my two eyes on the screen.  I watched a person with death penalty from praying religiously until the end of his life.  After that, we walked into each sections and experienced the real place that used for execution and the kitchen of those inmates.  They used large frying pan cooking the ?Tom yum pla-tu? and streamed rice.  Even if, the place was severely guarded, we were commanded to let all girls walking between guys on two sides.  It was unforgettable experience since it is a rare opportunity to get an insight of the prison.  I?m, as a representative for my classmates, sincerely grateful for our teacher (Ajarn Wisit Wisitsora-At) and BBA program for this field trip.

Posted date: October 26, 2009 ? 09:10 hrs.