Four deaths of prisoners at a Phitsanulok jail during the New Year holidays have prompted an investigation into the causes.
The Corrections Department has set up a panel to probe the deaths, which came in close succession, said director-general Naras Savestanan.
Public health officials who looked into the cause of the deaths found the four prisoners had died of symptoms related to food poisoning. The symptoms include limb numbness caused by low potassium.
Once the autopsy reports are available, the panel, chaired by Pol Maj Rattakrit Jaijing, chief inspector of the department, will examine whether there were flaws in the procurement, delivery and handling of food ingredients at prisons in general, he said.
After that, investigators will zero in on the process at Phitsanulok jail to determine whether it was complete and transparent, and meets the standards.
Pol Col Naras said food suppliers were selected this year using a method based on Finance Ministry regulations, so there shouldn’t be problems with substandard food quality.