Give a Thought for the Convicts on the Chain Gangs in Bangkok

Don’t forget to give a thought for the prisoners working hard over this weekend clearing the drains in Bangkok. They are doing this for no pay in order to help cut down on floods on our streets. As you can see it is smelly work and also potentially dangerous. It is doubtful that they actually volunteered for this task, so if you see them, please give them some encouragement.

2 thoughts on “Give a Thought for the Convicts on the Chain Gangs in Bangkok

  • September 30, 2012 at 1:32 pm
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    “”Prisoners are now hired to do the job on 277 roads in Bangkok. Usually, only prisoners whose remaining sentences are less than two years and are known as “good-class prisoners” are granted temporary leave from prison to work under guard – they must also not be convicted of lese majeste or drug offences. Inmates chosen to do the job will also get some wages (amount not specified) as well as having their prison sentences reduced, depending on the number of days that they work. One day of them working means one day can be taken off their sentence. “Many people (the public) have begun to smile at us. Some even give us food and water. So we’re less stressed and more proud of our work””.

    Let’s at least buy them some water or an energy drink!

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  • September 30, 2012 at 12:13 am
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    Not to lessen the value of the work they’re doing, but I think they do get paid to do this, albeit quite little (probably less than a hundred baht per day). And they have to volunteer to do the job, i.e. the Corrections Department can’t just force them. I could be wrong though.

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