Bangkwang Central Prison

The gates of Bang Kwang Central Prison stand before you. A stark reminder of Thailand’s justice system. Bang Kwang has been nicknamed “Big Tiger” due to its unforgiving nature. It is notorious as one of the toughest prisons in the world. The prison was first built in the 1930s to hold 3,500 inmates, but now it houses almost twice that number. The prison is a place where both inmates and guards live in constant fear. Bang Kwang has a strict hierarchy system, called the chit system. Inmates are given food according to their standings, with only one bowl of rice and vegetables given freely. The “Big Tiger” has a unique history, in the past, inmates sentenced to death were shackled and forced to wear leg irons permanently. The practice of shackling death-row inmates ended in 2013, but many inmates still live in harsh conditions. The prison is often referred to by many as the “Bangkok Hilton.” Despite its grim reputation, the prison’s harshness has also given rise to stories of resilience and survival amongst inmates. Bang Kwang has been a source of fear and fascination for decades, a place where life and death are intertwined.