Buriram Province: A 64-year-old former teacher in Thanon Hak Subdistrict, Nang Rong District, has resorted to building a prison cell-like room in her home to manage her drug-addicted son, who has been sent for treatment over ten times but continues to exhibit destructive behavior upon release.
According to Thai News Agency, the mother, who lives alone with her son, has faced ongoing issues as her 42-year-old son struggles with drug addiction and online gambling. His behavior has been erratic and threatening, often demanding money from her and causing destruction when his demands are not met. His actions have included driving a car into a house and threatening to kill. Despite numerous attempts to help him through treatment at military camps, hospitals, and temples, his condition has not improved, leaving his mother in fear and distress.
The retired teacher, concerned for her own safety and that of her neighbors, has commissioned a technician to construct a secure room within her house, equipped with Wi-Fi,
a TV, and a private bathroom, in anticipation of her son’s release from Nang Rong Hospital. She hopes this measure will aid in his recovery, though she awaits further consultation with community members and relevant agencies on its legality.
Since starting drug use at 16, the son has repeatedly relapsed after treatment, exacerbated by a gambling addiction. His father attempted to help by finding him work, but the son used his earnings for drugs and gambling instead. The father’s health declined from stress over his son’s behavior, eventually leading to his death in 2015. The son has continued his destructive habits, even after attempts at family intervention, including threatening his own family with a gun.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wat Songkun, headman of Nong Muang, acknowledged the mother’s actions and expressed empathy but emphasized the importance of legal compliance. An investigation by relevant agencies is necessary to ensure that the constructed room does not constitute illegal detention. The authorities recogn
ize the mother’s predicament but stress adherence to the law.