The mothers of two 17-year-olds sought help from Pavena Foundation for Children and Women after their sons said they were attacked and abused by an officer of a juvenile detention centre in Rayong.
The mothers, alias Ms Lek and Ms Yai, met Pavena Hongsakul, president of the foundation, to report the attacks.
They said their sons were convicted of drug charges and ordered to take rehab at the centre but they were attacked, with one officer kicking them in the head and chest. The teens finally managed to escape from the centre.
Ms Lek said her son was kicked at his chest by the officer on 2nd-3rd March and was served only one meal some days at the detention centre. His stomach was bleeding before he fled, she said.
The teens previously contacted the foundation by themselves before the foundation arranged for the mothers to meet Ms Hongsakul yesterday.
Ms Yai said her son, too, was served just one meal some days and had G6PD deficiency symptoms which were aggravated by the abuse of the officer before he fled.
Ms Yai said her son had called him before his escape but did not mention the attacks as the call was being observed. She was informed by her son later of what happened.
The mothers said they are willing to follow the court’s decision to detain their sons but would like the police to investigate the attacks and move them to another detention centre for their own safety.
Ms Hongsakul took the two mothers to the Justice Ministry to meet Sub Lt Thanakrit Jitareerat, secretary to the justice minister, and Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection director-general Pol Lt Col Wannapong Kotcharak, who pledged to help.
Pol Lt Col Kotcharak said he has ordered an investigation into the allegations with the findings expected in three days.
Ms Hongsakul said the detention centre should take better care of its charges while they are there for rehab.
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