Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jul 2012
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2012
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Anucha Charoenpo

DRUG ADDICTS CLAIM TEACHERS KILLED PATIENTS, FLEE REHAB

KRABI : More than 200 drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation at a 
pondok school in Krabi's Muang district yesterday fled after learning 
their teachers and caregivers had allegedly beaten three rehab 
patients to death.

The addicts escaped from the Klong Kam pondok school about 1.30pm.

They converged on a mosque in the Ban Koh Klang community, located 
about 2km away from the school, to protest against the harsh 
conditions and the alleged murders of three men in rehab.

Wasan Rodnual, 24, one of the escapees, said three addicts aged 
between 20 and 27 were beaten to death by the school's teachers and 
counsellors on July 23 after they tried to escape. The three were 
Muslims from the deep South, he said.

The protesters accused the teachers and counsellors of using to 
violence to try to cure them of drug addiction.

They said they fled the school because they could no longer endure 
the behaviour of the teachers and the counsellors.

Mr Wasan did not go into details of the rehab programme.

Residents informed Muang police station shortly after the drug 
addicts had escaped, saying they feared they would cause trouble in 
the area. About 20 police officers rushed to the scene to restore order.

Pol Lt Col Jongrak Pimthong, deputy Muang police chief, told to the 
Bangkok Post over the phone that his department would start an 
investigation to find out if any drug addicts had been killed by the 
school's teachers and counsellors as alleged.

He said about 400 of nearly 1,500 drug addicts at the school had 
asked the police to help contact their parents so they could pick 
them up and take them back home.

He said the province would also examine whether the school is 
registered with the Education Ministry and had sought approval from 
any state agencies to turn the facility into a drug rehabilitation 
centre. Police have yet to question the school's administrator, he said.
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