This is the Thai prison where Daniel Sancho sleeps: overcrowding, violence and “smelly” food

The son of Rodolfo Sancho has been transferred this Monday to prison after having confessed to the crime of the Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta. Thai prisons are notorious for their harsh conditions and Daniel he will have to suffer them in his own flesh during the next weeks. His, specifically, is characterized by violence and a lack of food and hygiene.

It’s about the koh samui prison, south of Thailand. Known as El Gran Tigre, the prison houses 7,000 inmates despite having a capacity of 3,500. They sleep crowded on the floor, spread out between the cells and corridors, without mattresses and with three blankets: one for the floor, another to replace a pillow and another to cover yourself. At 6 am the guards blow the whistle and everyone must get up for the count: there is only one bathroom for every 45 prisoners and they have 45 minutes to clean up minimally before the count. “The cells are fucking annoying, 45 people all wanting to pee early in the morning, and some insisting on showering in the only toilet in the cell.”

As explained by two former inmates who served sentences in said prison, at 8 am the national anthem plays and Buddhist prayers are held. Afterwards, the prisoners must put on their uniform: blue for the convicted, brown for those who are in pretrial detention, like Daniel Sancho. Thirty minutes later, the first meal: “Nasty rice and smelly broth. The bowls are distributed among the tables and it’s a matter of sitting down and choosing one.” At 11 in the morning the second count and the second meal take place: rice and chicken bones. The inmates have a small store inside the prison where they can buy some food, such as snacks, and they can also order food at home for just over three euros a day: “If you don’t order outside, you don’t eat well,” they say.

At noon it’s gym and shower time. The first consists of some concrete blocks on a metal bar and some water bottles filled with sand. The second is carried out by whistles: one to get wet, two to lather and three to rinse. There are 16 showers and two troughs for everyone and the water runs out quickly. Afterwards, free time: there are books to read, chess games and a kind of petanque.

Day to day in prison For #KohSamthe prison where Daniel Sancho will be until his trial for the murder and dismemberment of Edwin Arrieta begins.

Information offered by two prisoners who were in said prison pic.twitter.com/X1OSOziinF

— M ???? (@casasola_89) August 7, 2023

At 4 pm they return to the cells and the problems begin: the prisoners can smoke but not make fire, so they are carefully searched. The guards impose punishments (more or less harsh) depending on what they find. From 5 to 9, they have access to the television, controlled by the guards, so only Thai programs can be seen. In this space of time fights and confrontations take place; violence breaks out between the prisoners and also the guards. At 9:01 pm, everyone goes back to the cells. The light never goes out.