Prison still brimming with drug offenders

PHUKET TOWN: Statistics released by Provincial Prison officials last week show that narcotics offenders, or those awaiting trial on drugs-related charges, make up more than half of the prison population. Of the 1,247 inmates, 523 men and 119 women are in for narcotics offenses. Of the remaining prisoners, 217 are being held for theft, 136 for murder or attempted murder, 47 for sexual assault or prostitution, 23 for assault, 139 for illegal immigration, and 43 for other offenses including weapons possession, forgery and arson.