NARATHIWAT: The Malaysian artiste who was caught for the alleged possession of 6,000 pills at a hotel in Sungai Golok on Nov 1, showed symptoms of severe depression when she arrived at Narathiwat Provincial Prison on Nov 4.
Narathiwat provincial prison director Superintendent Surin Chanthep said the 29-year-old, however, was back to normal a week later.
He said she arrived at the Narathiwat provincial prison with five others including two Malaysian women.
"She (the singer) was deeply stressed when she was sent to the prison in early November.
"Seeing her in this situation, the prison officers quickly provided her with counselling.
"She is much better now. Her two friends were also facing similar conditions and are undergoing the same counselling," he said when met at his office yesterday.
Surin said he personally checks on the artiste to monitor her condition.
He said all prisoners are treated equally, regardless of their nationalities.
Surin also acknowledged that the artiste's extended detention at the prison has raised concerns among people in Thailand, including the Justice Minister.
"The minister recently paid a visit to the artiste and her friends. He also asked the prison officers to ensure the well-being of the prisoners here, including those from Malaysia," he added.
So far, he said, the prison has not received any complaints from the artiste or other Malaysian prisoners.
"They are all doing well, and no unwanted incidents have occurred among the prisoners here," he added.
The 29-year-old artiste is among 31 Malaysians currently held at the prison.
She and five other Malaysians were arrested by Thai police for allegedly being in possession of 6,000 pills at a hotel in Sungai Golok town on Nov 1.
Three days later, the six were sent to the prison after the Narathiwat court granted police further detention orders for 84 days against them.