Suan Phlu, Bangkok

Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre (Suan Phlu)

Thailand

Status

In use

2024

Type: Immigration detention centre (Administrative)

Custodial Authority: The Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Immigration Bureau

Management: Sub-Division 3, Investigation Division Immigration Bureau (Governmental)

Detains: , Adult men, Asylum seekers (administrative), Recognized refugees (administrative), Undocumented migrants (administrative)

Reported population Deaths at facility Conditions complaints?
900

2 August 2014

Yes

11 February 2023

YES

2023

Thailand

1,857

Migration Detainee Entries

1,857

Detained Asylum Seekers

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ABOUT

The Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre (Suan Phlu) has been notorious for its terrible and overcrowded cells, where men, women, children can remain locked ups for months or even years.

NEWS & TESTIMONY
2024

A former detainee at Suan Phlu IDC recalled that he shared a cell with 250 other detainees, and had to sleep all night on his side to fit in the limited space. Another former detainee at Suan Phlu IDC recalled he shared [...]

Read More
FACILITY NAMES
Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre (Suan Phlu)
Location

Country: Thailand

City & Region: Suan Phlu, Bangkok, Asia-Pacific

Latitude, Longitude: 13.718353, 100.539976

Contact Information
Suan Plu Detention Center
Sub-division 3
Investigation Division Immigration Bureau
507 Soi Suan Plu
Sathorn Road, Thoongmahamek
Sathorn
Bangkok 10120
Tel: 011-662-287-3101

MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

Center Status
Status
Year
In use
2024
In use
2023
In use
2021
In use
2020
In use
2016
In use
2015
In use
2014
In use
2013
In use
2004
Facility type
Category
Type
Year
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2015
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2013
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2004
National typology
Official Typology
Year
Immigration Detention Centres (IDCs)
2023
Management
Management
Type
Year
Sub-Division 3, Investigation Division Immigration Bureau
Governmental
2013
Ministry of Interior/Immigration Police Bureau
Governmental
2004
Custodial Authorities
Agency
Ministry
Ministry type
Year
The Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police
Interior Ministry
Interior or Home Affairs
2014
Immigration Bureau
Ministry of Interior
Interior or Home Affairs
2004
Outsourced services and non-state actors
Provider
Service
Year
International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Health care
2016

DETAINEES

Demographics

Adult men

2024

Adult men

2023

Adult men

2015

Adult women

2015

Accompanied minors

2015

Adult men

2004

Adult women

2004

Accompanied minors

2004
Categories of detainees

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2024

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2023

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2015

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2015

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2013

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2013

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2004
2004

Recognized refugees (administrative)

2004

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2004
Countries of Origin

Country #1 China

Country #2 Korea, North

2024

Country #1 China

2023
At-Risk Populations

Asylum seekers

2024

SIZE & POPULATION

Facility Average Daily Population (year)

Number 2000

2003
Reported Single-Day Migration Detainee Population at Facility (day)
Number
Date
900
2 August 2014
Reports of Detainee Overpopulation at Facility

Yes

2020

LENGTH OF DETENTION

Detention Timeframe (long, medium, short)

Length Long-term (more than 20 days)

2023

Length Long-term (more than 20 days)

2015

Length Long-term (more than 20 days)

2013
Overstays

Reported Overstays Yes

2023

OUTCOMES

CONDITIONS

Inadequate conditions

Cell space

2023

Medical care

2023

Ventilation

2023

Access to clean drinking water

2023

Food provision

2023

Hygiene

2023

Outdoor exercise

2023

Overcrowding

2023

CARCERAL INDICATORS

External Security Regime

Secure

2015

Secure

2014

Secure

2013

Secure

2004

STAFF

Mistreatment Reports

Yes

2024

SEGREGATION

Gender Segregation

Yes

2024

Yes

2004
Age Segregation

Yes

2013

Yes

2004
Legal Segregation

Not Applicable

2004
Family Segregation

Yes

2013

Yes

2004

CELLS

At Least Three Square Meters Per Detainee

No

2024

No

2023
Security/Isolation Cells

Yes

2024

Yes

2023
Equipped (beds, tables, shelves, chairs)

No

2024
Detainees Per Cell

250

2024

COMMUNAL SPACE & ACTIVITIES

HEALTH

Overall assessment of facility health care provision

Deficient (“Deficient” or “At Risk”)

2024

Deficient (“Deficient” or “At Risk”)

2023
Psychological Evaluation upon Arrival

No

2024
Doctor on Duty

No Doctor on Duty

2024
Nurse on Duty

Daily

2024
Psychologist Visits

No regular visits

2024
Barriers to care
Barriers to Care
Obvs. Date
Patient forced to pay for careUse of solitary confinementInadequate food or water provision
2024
Reports of Deaths
Name of deceased individual
Date of death
N.A.
11 February 2023

MONITORING & ACCESS

Lawyer Access

Infrequently

2023
Monitors & Civil Society Access
Access?
Type of Institution
Obsv. Date
No
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
2023

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Access to Telephones

Limited

2024
Free Outgoing Local Calls

No

2024
Internet Access

Yes (with restrictions)

2024
Access to Personal Cell Phones

Yes (unrestricted)

2024

NEWS & TESTIMONY

2024

A former detainee at Suan Phlu IDC recalled that he shared a cell with 250 other detainees, and had to sleep all night on his side to fit in the limited space. Another former detainee at Suan Phlu IDC recalled he shared a cell with 200 other detainees and they each had around half a meter of space. (FIDH 2024)