Convicts to clean capital’s sewers

Convicts to clean capital’s sewers

Some 1,000 convicts will be used to clean Bangkok’s sewers beginning July 1, in a bid to reduce flooding risks in the capital during the rainy season.

A source said that the decision was made yesterday during discussions between Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Department of Corrections (DoC) director-general Aryut Sinthopphan and senior executives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Drainage and Sewerage Department yesterday.

BMA will work with the DoC in deploying well-behaved convicts for the clean-up work next month after a two-year pause due to the previous governor’s concerns over Covid-19.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the DoC is more than ready to send the convicts to do the job. He said one person can clean about 25 metres of sewer per day so 1,000 convicts can clean out about 25km of sewers in one day.

“The clean-up job is the work convicts are looking for because it is a chance for them to go out of prison. Those who are qualified are eager to take the job,’’ Mr Somsak said.

Mr Aryut said the DoC will not force prisoners to do the work. They need to apply for it while the department will provide meals, medical care if needed. Payment for their work will be provided after they are released from prison, he said.

Mr Aryut said all convicts are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and regularly undergo testing with antigen test kits. Their movements will be restricted in public areas, he said.

The convicts will come from 10 prisons.

The capital runs a network of sewer and drainage systems spanning more than 6,500 kilometres, of which about 2,000km is under the supervision of the Drainage and Sewerage Department and more than 4,500km overseen by the district offices.

Asked if the BMA will continue hiring DoC for the clean-up work in the future, Mr Chadchart said it will be based on the quality of the convicts’ work beginning next month.

Mr Chadchart said he has received feedback from residents that convicts have performed a better job at cleaning the sewers than many private companies.

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