Tourist Prisons: Thailand's Surprising New Attraction

Thailand has designated 23 prisons as "tourist destinations" as part of a sweeping overhaul of its corrections system.

This project aims to rehabilitate prisoners while addressing the country's labor shortage and stimulating the economy.

This bold initiative, unveiled during the Department of Corrections' 110th anniversary celebration, includes prison-run restaurants, cafes and shops staffed entirely by trained inmates.

The flagship restaurant brand "Chuan Chom" has grown to 122 branches nationwide.

This brand brings together restaurants and initiatives run by prisoners, where visitors can enjoy meals or take advantage of services such as massages.

It is renowned for its cleanliness, flavors and affordable prices.

Deputy Director General Chan Wachiradet presented the new "model prison" at Chonburi Central Prison to Prachacahet Business.

He explained how the program transforms prisons into places where visitors can “eat, drink, learn and discover,” while inmates gain real job skills for life after release.

Developing the potential of prisoners through training

Krua Chuan Chom is a restaurant located in the Vocational Training Center of the Central Women's Correctional Facility. Photo: Khaosod

As of August 1, 2025, there were 300,246 prisoners nationwide: 262,688 men and 37,558 women.

The prison population, which had reached 400,000 people, decreased by 200,000 before COVID-19, but has increased again due to economic hardship, unemployment and drugs.

The department has approximately 10,000 officers, 60% of whom are guards, which equates to one officer for every 40 inmates, well above the international standard of 1 for every 5.

Nevertheless, the department continues to offer vocational training programs adapted to the needs of the labor market.

It also collaborates with private companies to provide inmates with real work experience and real employment opportunities.

This gives them the opportunity to present modern and well-designed prison products, sold both online and offline.

The department now focuses on unlocking the potential of every prisoner, often through Royal Initiative projects, including the TO BE NUMBER ONE project.

Prison Products and Stores: A New Era

Vocational training provided by the Department of Corrections. Photo: Khaosod

Thanks to the desire to improve the image of people and products through vocational training in prison, the quality of items made by prisoners has improved.

Whether it is furniture, household items, fabrics, traditional Thai handicrafts, food products, pastries or even Thai massages , the offer has diversified.

These items are now more distinctive, more attractive and more affordable.

"Krua Chuan Chom", a restaurant chain renowned for its cleanliness, flavors and affordable prices, has become the flagship of the department.

Building on this success, the department expanded with “Cook & Coff” and “Hub Phuey Café”.

Krua Chuan Chom is a restaurant located in the Vocational Training Center of the Central Women's Correctional Institution.

There are now 122 branches across the country, with 23 prisons officially designated as "tourist prisons."

The special feature is that the staff is made up of trained inmates, which means that no external employees are required.

These programs primarily provide real, transferable skills for life after release.

Training covers a wide range of areas, including culinary arts, agriculture, health and lifestyle services, music and performing arts.

A second chance for prisoners

Deputy Director General of Chonburi Central Prison, Chan Wachiradet. Photo: Khaosod

This training system strengthens both quality and diversity in the classroom and transforms the backstage into a classroom where life and professional skills are developed.

The result is a new kind of destination where you can eat, drink, learn and discover.

This model creates the foundation for growth, from kitchens to vegetable gardens, workshops and shops.

“Every touchpoint is a real lesson that turns skills into future income, a second chance for inmates,” Chan explains.

The reorganization resulted in new partnerships with public and private institutions.

These collaborations aim to offer specialized training and employment opportunities.

Here are some notable examples:

• Project Kamlangjai (Project Inspire): This royal initiative of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha focuses on product development.
• Royal Silk Designs: HRH Princess Sirivannavari designs silk products.
• SUPPORT Thailand International Arts and Crafts Center: Partnership involving cooperation with the center.
• Siam Cement Group (SCG) Projects: Collaborations extend to various projects with SCG, a conglomerate specializing in cement and building materials, chemicals (SCGC), paper and packaging.

Reading and education: a key to reducing sentences

The "Read for Release" program, which promotes knowledge through reading, develops reading habits, and creates honest employment opportunities to support inmates and their families. Photo: Khaosod

One of the department's main policies is to provide education to inmates through the "Read for Release" program.

This device promotes knowledge through reading and develops new reading habits.

It also aims to create honest employment opportunities to enable prisoners to support themselves and their families.

Twenty-one pilot prisons have launched the Reading for Academic Advancement initiative starting in April 2025, and 1,059 inmates are already participating in the program.

Reading for Academic Advancement requires the results of an assessment of reading two books (one required book and one optional book) that have not previously been used for academic assessment.

Inmates must demonstrate their reading comprehension through six formats (they choose two): storytelling, writing, reading aloud, mind mapping, drawing, and producing creative works.

Currently, 970 inmates have passed the assessment, representing a success rate of 91.60%.

The "Read for Release" program, which promotes knowledge through reading, develops reading habits, and creates honest employment opportunities to support inmates and their families.

Industrial prisons to address labor shortages

Chonburi's new "model prison." Photo: Khaosod

Since 2023, Thailand has designated 11 leading prisons in 10 districts as industrial training centers under the “One District, One Prison Industrial” policy.

This initiative addresses both the labor shortage and the reintegration of prisoners by partnering with businesses to provide real-world job training.

See: Thailand: Labor shortage after the exodus of 400,000 Cambodians

The program works on a simple principle:

"If companies are short of workers, those who have gone off the rails and are in prison can fill the void."

Inmates learn industrial skills before their release, while businesses benefit from rent exemptions, tax breaks, and the payment of only 50% of salaries in the first year.

The moment is strategic.

Many industries previously relied on migrant workers, who have now moved into other sectors such as durian processing, leaving factories understaffed.

Industrial prisons offer a solution, particularly in industrialized provinces such as Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Rayong.

“Why not turn this crisis into an opportunity?

Let Thai people and local communities welcome these jobs and strengthen each other.

“People behind the prison walls are already prepared for this,” said Deputy Director General Chan Wachiradet.

The program focuses on six key areas: education, agriculture, specialized skills, products, sports and industry, to prepare inmates for sustainable employment upon release from prison.

See also:

Briton's terrifying ordeal in Thai prison

Thailand tourist's nightmare: jailed for expired visa

7 years in the hell of the “Bangkok Hilton” prison in Thailand

How David McMillan escaped from the infamous Bangkok Hilton prison in Thailand

Source: Khaosod English