Bangkok Post – Army drug rehab plan sparks rights concerns

A government initiative to open rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, also known as rakjai centres, in 52 army barracks nationwide is sparking human rights concerns among civil society groups.

Writing on social media, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has highlighted drug problems in the country and the government’s plan to use military premises to provide drug rehabilitation programmes.

Since then, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has held meetings to discuss the initiative, and decided that the centres will initially assist 4,414 drug addicts in 85 districts of 30 provinces via 60, 90 or 120-day treatment options.

However, military-style drug rehabilitation methods have raised abuse concerns.

Thissadee Sawangying, director of the Health and Opportunity Network, said a military-run rehab centre has long existed. Known as the Civil Development Center,…