Elderly woman claims she was forcibly confined in care centre for two and a half years
A 63-year-old woman in Thailand claimed on a local TV programme that her son and daughter-in-law had forcibly confined her to an elderly care centre for two and a half years.
The alleged victim, Ms Naphat, claimed they did this to take control of her cosmetics business, which is reportedly worth billions of baht.
Abducted and taken to elderly care centre
According to Thaiger, Ms Naphat shared on the Hon Krasae broadcast on Monday (5 Oct) that her son, Benz, and daughter-in-law helped with her business in 2022.
Benz later decided to rent the factory and machinery to manage the business himself. However, he returned it in late 2023, leading Ms Naphat to take over the business again.
Ms Naphat alleged that in Feb 2024, Benz arrived at her house with two men, subsequently abducting her. He then told the family that he was taking her for psychiatric treatment.
Ms Naphat’s daughter, Beam, said she did not object to this, believing her brother was taking their mother to the hospital.
Following this, the family lost contact with Ms Naphat and did not know her location.
Handcuffed from morning to evening
Ms Naphat revealed that she was not taken to the hospital, but to a care centre in Kanchanaburi Province.
She claimed that officers at the facility confined her to a room measuring around three by three metres, and handcuffed her to the bed. Later, they moved her to a shared room with bars.
Source: Matichon
Ms Naphat alleged there were times when she was tied to a chair from morning to evening. Additionally, she was allegedly forced to defecate in a container and take medication.
She added that her son, Benz, never visited her during her time in the facility.
Police are still verifying the allegations Ms Naphat stated during the broadcast based on evidence.
Son claimed she had episodes of hysteria
Ms Naphat found an opportunity to seek help when another resident was about to leave the care centre. She gave the resident her sister’s phone number.
After being contacted, her sister verified the information with the centre before calling Ms Naphat’s ex-husband to help fetch her.
Following her release, Ms Naphat underwent a psychiatric examination on 13 Aug, which came out normal.
She filed a police report on 20 Aug, and lodged another on 3 Oct regarding the dispute over her safe and assets.
During the broadcast, the centre owner clarified via a call that Benz had contracted them to look after his mother.
Source: MGR Online
He allegedly claimed Ms Naphat was experiencing episodes of hysteria and would destroy property and harm family members.
The owner denied allegations of physical assault, forced stripping, and giving Ms Naphat any sleeping pills or psychiatric medication.
Additionally, she explained that they made Ms Naphat stay alone in a room as her family had reported she had a history of physical abuse.
Police visit elderly care centre
Following the broadcast, authorities inspected the care centre on the evening of 5 Oct.
There, they found a variety of rooms, including single rooms, shared rooms, air-conditioned rooms, and fan rooms.
There were also rooms and beds with bars, and iron bars and barbed wire all over the facility.
Source: Matichon
On 6 Oct, the centre’s management presented the police with its licence issued by the Health Service Support Center.
They said they have been operating as an elderly care facility since around 2006, before they began to cater to individuals with dependency needs in 2021.
The management further explained that the rooms and beds with bars were for the safety of psychiatric patients who show severe symptoms, including destroying property and harming themselves.
Police investigate centre and alleged victim’s claims
The centre’s claim about the purpose of these rooms and beds has not been confirmed by any relevant agency to meet psychiatric patient care standards.
Police continue to question the centre’s management and staff and review CCTV footage. They will also interview additional witnesses to determine whether Ms Naphat’s allegations can be substantiated.
Once they determine the person responsible for the offence, the authorities will consider legal action.
Also read: Metal cages attached to beds at elderly care centre in Thailand, investigation underway
Metal cages attached to beds at elderly care centre in Thailand, investigation underway
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Khaosod, Matichon.
