Wat Tha Phu temple in western Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province ordered to close with allegations of ransom and human rights abuses

A temple in western Thailand which also serves as drug rehab has been closed after allegations of ransom, torture, and human rights abuses. “Wat Tha Phu” temple is being investigated by the Public Health Ministry and Narcotics Control Board of Thailand.

More than 200 patients were found to be living in squalid conditions with a number of patients collected from the hospital by their family members following news in Thai media outlet PBS.

Patients claim to have contracted diseases due to decrepit conditions where more than 200 patients were stuck in 1 room that had 2 bathrooms. Reports suggest that some patients had to eat spoiled food and eat from the same bowls used for bathing or flushing toilets.

Thai PBS news reported that patients who complained about the treatment or attempted to escape were assaulted by staff.