On June 29, 2024, Mueang Krabi police received reports of 26 recovering drug addicts escaping from a rehabilitation foundation in Mueang, Krabi. The group allegedly stole a long-tail boat to flee to Mueang Krabi, and some were seen walking along Hemthanon Road. After nearly an hour, police managed to apprehend 11 of the escapees.
Negotiations with the 11 individuals revealed that they initially resisted returning to the foundation. Fifteen patients remain at large. One of the escapees told police that they fled because they wanted to go home and refused to return to the foundation, which reportedly houses over 1,000 individuals. The escapee cited poor living conditions, inadequate food quality, and harsh punishments for mistakes as reasons for their escape.
The escapees also claimed they were only allowed to spend 20 baht per day from money sent by their families, which they said was insufficient to buy anything decent to eat. Police are currently contacting the families of the escapees, as they refuse to return to the rehabilitation foundation.
The foundation, whose full name has been withheld for legal reasons, has not yet formally responded to the complaints. Officials from the foundation, local authorities, and community members are now involved in efforts to address the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
