In Thailand, a 64-year-old woman from Phimai, Buriram, installed a metal cage in her home to protect herself and her neighbors from her 42-year-old son, who has become aggressive. The woman took extraordinary measures after 20 years of living in constant fear.
She approached builders to set up a containment area in her home, where she can lock her son up if he becomes aggressive. The woman told police that she acted by all means to save her son from addiction for all those years. However, he became violent over time.
At the end of October, the woman called the police when she could no longer control her son, and he had to be hospitalized. She realized he was returning, so she decided to create a place at home where she can contain him. The woman was assured that her son would be able to access basic amenities, leaving a gap between the metal bars for food and water.
The room with bars has basic amenities, such as a bed, toilet, and Wi-Fi. "I have set up openings to deliver food and drinks, and installed a video monitoring system to keep an eye on his behavior 24 hours a day," the woman said. "I believe this action protects me and my neighbors from his aggressive behavior."
The police have not yet resolved the issue after learning about the woman's makeshift cage, but they evidently did not approve of this visit last week. A police representative stated that the woman's actions violate Section 310 of the Criminal Code, concerning illegal deprivation of liberty, which can lead to severe bodily harm or death, potentially resulting in imprisonment from three to 15 years.
It is not excluded that the woman's actions could conflict with legal measures, especially considering that her case has become the main headline of world news, highlighting the ongoing drug problem in Thailand. Nonetheless, they urged her to remove the cage and promised the police would find a more suitable solution for her problem.