Inmates at Samut Sakhon prison broke out in a riot yesterday after one of their number was refused medical care for chest pains, and subsequently died of a heart attack.
Somchai Pheeranuwat began complaining of chest pains early Sunday morning, but, instead of calling in an ambulance, prison officials left him to linger in his cell for four hours. He passed away during this time, after which 50 other prisoners on his cellblock began destroying surveillance cameras and other prison fixtures. This violence subsequently spread throughout the prison.
The Nation reports that rioters eventually negotiated a cease-fire with a group of prison guards, but that additional security forces were still maintained at Samut Sakhon, in order to prevent further hostilities.
