This prison is located about 7 kilometers east of Phitsanuloke in central Thailand.
It is easily accessible by local bus, which stops at the prison gate.

On 22 March 2004, prison officials said there were about 3,100 male and about 400 female inmates.
(However, on 27 January 2004, I was told there were about 4,500 male and about 500 female prisoners.)
On 21 October 2003, I was given a total number of 3,557 prisoners, which was probably correct.

A large number of hilltribe prisoners are held at this prison. In the male section there may be roughly 500 Hmong, about 50 Karen, approximately 50 Lahu, 29 Akha, around 20 Yao, and probably some Lisaw inmates too. There is at least one Akha woman, but so far we have been unable to get details from the female section.

One Akha inmate at this prison told me, "I would like to transfer to Chiangrai Central Prison, because it is close to my hometown, so my parents, brother and sisters can come to visit me. For nearly 11 years now they have never visited me."

One Karen prisoner has relatives staying at a refugee village near the Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son Province, but they cannot visit him because they do not have Thai ID papers to travel in Thailand. Visiting hours are weekday mornings from 0830 to 1100 hours, except holidays. Prisoners can be written to at the following address:

ADDRESS FORMAT:

PRISONER NAME
BUILDING NUMBER
Phitsanuloke Central Prison,
611 / 1 m. 8 Mittapab Road,
A. Wang Thong,
Phitsanuloke, THAILAND 65130

1. Chamnan Chewchan (Arnyoe Yersaw), 37, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Ar-yomai -Chiangrai. He understands English.

2. Arsa Yului, 33, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Pasang Sansuddan - Chiangrai.

3. Arka Chermui, 39, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Myanmar.

4. Arsang Chermui (Arsaw Chermui), 44, drugs, 25 yrs, served 3 years, Aryo - Chiangrai.

5. Arkom Pitucudomkit (Chijoe Mahpogu), 50, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Phamee - Chiangrai, born in China.

6. Arkaw Yerbaw, 44, drugs, 8 yrs, served 5 yrs, Phatak - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

7. Arju Chermui, 45, drugs, 25 yrs, served 8 yrs, Pabongam - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

8. Arna Morpogu, 44, drugs, 25 yrs, served 7 yrs, Hoerai - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

9. Archa Mayer, 35, drugs, 25 yrs, served 10 yrs, Hoeja Yeng - Chiangrai.

10. Aryo Morpogu, 36, drugs, 15 yrs, served 6 yrs, Patum - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

11. Arjui Maryer, 40, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Takawsaw - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

12. Aryeh Yului, 39, drugs, 33 yrs, served 5 yrs, Pasang Sansuddan - Chiangrai.

13. Arpa Metu, 46, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Mae Comela - Lampang, born in Myanmar.

14. Arseh Mayer, 29, drugs, 5 yrs, served 2 yrs, Palun - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

15. Arje Yermiar, 43, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Pabongam - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

16. Arpial Yepiangku, 39, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Paha - Myanmar. 17. Somyod Morpoku (Mehpa Morpoku), 45, drugs, 25 yrs, served12 yrs,Phamee - Chiangrai, born in China.

18. Yamui Lehyi, 60, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Hoeyano - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

19. Yakaw Lertratsametime, 45, drugs, 25 yrs, served 9 yrs, Judsun - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

20. Jakui Chermui, 40, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Arku - Chiangrai.

21. Yachu Aryi, 53, drugs, 28 yrs, served 9 yrs, Hoesun Kao - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

22. Vinai Chermui, 36, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Sanjai Mai - Chiangrai.

23. Somjet Arsarayingtawon (Artu Mahpogu), 46, drugs, 26 yrs, served 8 yrs, Phamee -Chiangrai, born in China.

24. Yuyu Bekaku , 45, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Kewstyle - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

25. Yuttakun Nehyi (Arseh Lehnyi), 29, drugs, 25 yrs, served 6 yrs, Jawpaka - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

26. Sakchai Ruingpracharut (Arso Mahpogu), 43, drugs, 15 yrs, served 7 yrs, Phamee -Chiangrai, born in China.

27. Arje Permiar, 33, drugs, 25 yrs, served 11 yrs, Samyaek - Chiangrai.

28. Lawmar Sehdugu, 36, drugs, 27 yrs, served 11 yrs, Palang - Chiangrai, born in Myanmar.

29. Suma Lee Metu, recently transfered, from Tak.