Thai Police Launch Custody Reform Pilot with UK Support

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Police and the British government have launched a joint pilot program aimed at improving conditions for suspects in police custody and strengthening human rights protections, Thai authorities said Friday.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutra visited Pathumwan Police Station on December 19, one of eight stations selected for the “Pilot Police Station Project on Suspect Custody,” which seeks to bring Thai custody practices in line with international standards.

The visit was attended by Dave Thomas, deputy ambassador at the British Embassy in Thailand; Vanessa Jardine, chief constable of Northumbria Police; and David Lawes, a senior police adviser to the UK Home Office.

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The initiative, launched in 2024 under the direction of National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, focuses on improving safety, transparency and respect for human rights for suspects held in police custody.

Pol. Gen. Thatchai said the reform emphasizes a shift in police culture, stressing that custody should be treated as part of the justice process rather than a form of punishment. He said the program is built around three core principles: individual risk assessment, transparency and accountability, and ensuring suspects are physically and mentally fit for questioning.

Under the program, officers conduct health screenings that include checks for allergies, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions and injuries to reduce the risk of harm. All custody-related activities are documented in line with Thailand’s 2022 law on the prevention and suppression of torture and enforced disappearance, police said.

A monitor displays multiple detention cells for police oversight at Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok on Dec. 19, where a policy of one detainee per cell is being implemented.

The pilot is being implemented at eight police stations under Metropolitan Police Bureau 6. Officers from Pathumwan Police Station and Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station received specialized training in the United Kingdom and have since passed on their knowledge to Thai colleagues with support from Northumbria Police experts.

Authorities said police detention facilities at participating stations have also been upgraded, including improved safety features, hygienic bedding and a “one detainee per cell” policy aimed at protecting human dignity and reducing risks inside holding cells.

Pol. Gen. Thatchai said the Royal Thai Police is also studying the feasibility of establishing centralized custody facilities at the divisional or provincial level. Such centers would allow patrol and investigative officers to focus on frontline duties while ensuring arrested suspects are processed and detained under consistent standards.

Officials said the reforms are intended to enhance public confidence in law enforcement and improve Thailand’s justice system in line with international expectations.

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