Source: Bangkwang Net
It is usually possible to go and visit a prisoner without prior notice.
These visits allow the visitor to have a conversation with only a fence,
( or two fences as at Bangkwang ) between yourself the prisoner.
Message boards around Bangkok invite the casual traveler to visit anytime.
SCHEDULES :
Bangkwang
Klong Prem
Lard Yao
Women's Prison
A typical story ... Another story (from the Bangkok Post - December 3, 2001)
It is also possible to go inside the prison to have a "contact" visit with a prisoner.
These visits must be arranged in advance. Here are the visit rules
Contact your friend's embassy about one month ahead of time.
Give them : 1) your friend's name and building number
2) approximate date(s) of visit.
3) your passport-name and passport number
The embassy can also arrange for regular ( frequent ) visiting schedules.
Check with the Department of corrections to be sure the visit permit has been granted.
BANGKWANG : (662)(02 525 0484) KLONG PREM/LARD-YAO : Mrs. Tithiporn :(662)(02-588-3283)
Some things you ARE PERMITTED to bring to your friend.
Some things you ARE NOT PERMITTED to bring to your friend.
Prisoners are usually limited to one, one-hour, visit per day.
Visitors may visit more than one prisoner, in any one day.
It helps to have your airplane ticket ... to show that you are NOT a local Thai person.
BANGKWANG Visit Days: (Klong Prem Schedule)
Building 1, 2 and 3 : Monday and Wednesdays
4, 5 and 6 : Tuesday and Thursday
7,8,9,10 and 12 : Friday ( 10 is solitary Confinement, get permission first )
hospital : Friday
No visits allowed during Weekends ( Saturday & Sunday ) or on National Holidays.
( NOTE : exceptions may be allowed during the annual contact visit at Bangkwang )
BANGKWANG Visit Times: (Klong Prem Visit Times)
morning :: from 09.30 - 11.30
afternoon :: from 13.30 - 14.30.
It is best to arrive at the registration office least a half hour early.
There is often a large crowd of local Thai people wanting to see their family.
Early visitors enjoy more time to visit and be there when it is not so noisy.
GETTING TO BANGKWANG:
Instructions from Khao-San-Road.com
BY RIVER-BOAT:
The Chao Praya River runs through most of downtown Bangkok.
Take the Chao Prayo Express boat upstream to Nonthaburi (about 10 baht from downtown).
Do NOT get in the TOURIST BOAT It does not go far enough.
Do not get on the Boat-Bus as it only crosses the river.
Get off at Nonthaburi ( it is the last stop for most boats ).
When you leave the boat terminal, go straight up the road.
Take the first left.
Walk about 100 yards up the road to the prison.
BY PUBLIC BUS:
It will wind through Bangkok to Nonthaburi.
BY PUBLIC TAXI:
Tell the driver to take you directly to Nonthaburi or Bangkwang.
You may have to insist that the driver goes directly.
Otherwise he/she may try to stop at some "special discount" jewelry shop.
AFTER ARRIVING AT THE FRONT GATE
Go into the Visitor Center ( across road from the main prison gate ).
Sign in with your passport.
Wait until the visit time is announced
Cross the road (follow the crowd), (pass the Foreign Affairs Office )
Sign in : (leave your cameras or other prohibited items at the desk.
Pass through the metal detectors and various steel doors.
Then pass by ther prison store ( get a bottle of water now !)
Finally, you will see the visitor gallery.
Your friend will sit across from you ... separated by double fencing.
Be prepared for a shouting match, as there may be other visitors seated near to you, each one trying to communicate as quickly and loudly as possible.
At the end of the visit you are allowed to leave any gifts for your friend at the desk in the visitors area. Otherwise, folow the crowd, back to the entrance gate.
The description, above, was for a non contact visit.
There are also one or two "contact" visits each year.
At this time, you can get inside the prison area for up to 1½ hours.
It is possible to make two of these visits in one day.
You must apply, through your friend's embassy, to the department of corrections.
Be sure to contact the prison to confirm that the visit has been approved,
There are several western missionaries and christian groups who have a visitation service.
Some of these will also deposit money to prisoner acounts.
Many prisoners and their relatives have made small posters that they place in guest-houses around Banglampoo or Khao San Road districts in Bangkok.
Some foreigners make a visit to Bangkwang, a part of their stay in Bangkok.
Organisations:
If you need more professional advice or help, refer to the British Orginazation .... PRISONERS ABROAD. They take care (medically and financaly) of british citizens imprisoned abroad and know quite a bit about Thailand and the general condition of prisoners.
It is no use to try to get in touch with either Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch, unless there is really serious trouble for your friend. They only get involved in very serious cases of torture and neglect. Hopefully this will never be the case for your friend.
As a relative (wife, brother and parents) you are allowed to visit twice a year (usually August and Christmas) where there are the so called "open periods", or "contact" visits, meaning that you can get two visits (two hours long) without the bars inbetween.
Friends are also allowed "contact" visits, but it requires some preparation.
Contact your friend's embassy, several months in advance of the visit.
Ask them to prepare the necessary permission papers.
Follow up with them and follow up with the prison office.
Be sure you have the correct paperwork completed, well before the visit !!
