KOTA BARU: Thailand's Department of Corrections encourages foreign inmates, including those from Malaysia, to contact their family and friends while they are in prisons in the kingdom.
In a statement yesterday, the department also said that inmates are allowed to contact the diplomatic or consular representatives of their home countries.
It stated that such meetings can be made either through in-person visits or virtually.
Referring to the case of a Malaysian singer recently arrested in Narathiwat Province for possession of 6,060 methamphetamine tablets and subsequently held in custody at Narathiwat Provincial Prison, the department stated that it ensures fair and respectful treatment for her.
"The department upholds religious diversity in line with correctional standards and international standards and norms.
"We are well aware of and respect Islamic rights, duties and customs. Therefore, key measures are put in place for Muslim inmates to practice as many of their religious duties," it stated.
The department added good prison practices are allowed in prisons including providing halal food that meets with dietary and nutritional needs of inmates.
"The Muslim inmates are also allowed to conduct prayers, and late-night meals during Ramadan and they are encouraged to further study Islamic Principles," the statement added.
On Nov 1, the 29-year-old popular dikir barat singer was among six Malaysians arrested in the Sungai Golok sub-province for the alleged possession of 6,000 pills.
The six, comprising three women and three men, were detained by the Thai police in a raid on a hotel in the border town.
Following the arrests, the Narathiwat Provincial Court granted police a further detention order of up to three months or 84 days against the six to enable police to carry out their investigations into the case.
The six are currently held at Narathiwat Prison.