Kanchanaburi care centre inspected after confinement allegations

Kanchanaburi authorities have inspected a care centre accused of confining and mistreating a mother for over two years. The centre, formerly licensed as an elderly care facility, was found to only hold an elderly care licence and not a medical facility licence. The Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Kanchanaburi police inspected the Tha Muang district facility on October 6.

During the inspection, the centre's owner, Maeow, showed officials the living conditions, with media not permitted inside. Maeow claimed to have trained as an Air Force nurse and previously worked at state and private hospitals, opening the centre in 2006 to care for elderly people, expanding services in 2021 to include dependent, psychiatric, and rehabilitation patients.

Maeow stated that the facility is inspected annually, with the current licence renewed on August 3. The centre houses 92 people, with 75 males, 68 of whom are psychiatric patients, five elderly, and two rehabilitation patients. Of the 17 females, 13 are psychiatric patients, three are elderly, and one is undergoing rehabilitation.

Maeow admitted that severe psychiatric patients were kept in iron-barred rooms and that such patients might damage property or assault others, warranting stronger rooms. Maeow acknowledged the arrangement could appear inappropriate but stated the centre would make improvements per officials' recommendations. Allegations of assault, confinement, and unlawful restraint were made against the centre, with Phat, a woman, claiming her son and daughter-in-law took her against her will and she stayed for over two and a half years.

Maeow denied these allegations, saying Phat's son requested the centre after her alleged agitation, burning a vehicle, and damaging property. Maeow said she was informed of her impending return home and welcomed the investigation, maintaining that the centre's care measures were only used to prevent harm or property damage. CIB officers are continuing to question Maeow and review CCTV footage and witness statements before deciding on further action.