SONGKRAN FEVER

29 detainees escape from juvenile centre

Twenty-nine juvenile offenders fled a detention centre in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday morning _ apparently hoping to go home for Songkran, officials said. Paisal Wichiankua, director-general of the Youth Observation and Protection Department, said 29 detainees at the Nakhon Ratchasima Training Centre for Children and Youth burst out about 7.30am when the gate was opened for a car delivering food.

Guards intercepted 18 of the runaways, returning them to the centre, but 11 were still at large last night, he said.

Mr Paisal believed most of them would later return on their own, and others would be brought back by parents.

To discourage new escape attempts, all juvenile detention centres would organise a celebration during the Songkran festival and relatives would be allowed to visit.

Well-behaved detainees would be allowed to return home for up to three days, Mr Paisal said.

Meanwhile, Corrections Department chief Natthee Chitsawang said the department had ordered its commando units to be on alert for any unexpected incidents during Songkran.

All leave had been cancelled at jails for the five-day weekend, from Friday to Tuesday, Mr Natthee said.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Wednesday April 11, 2007