Investigation Launched at Sermsuk Care Center Following Allegations of Abuse
Authorities are investigating a care facility in Thailand after residents signaled for help, alleging the use of chains and handcuffs.
On October 8, 2026, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) and the Health Service Support Department (HSS) intervened at the Sermsuk care facility to assess the welfare of its residents. The operation followed reports of potential mistreatment, which prompted authorities to facilitate the transfer of several patients to Srithanya Hospital for further medical evaluation.
During the inspection, a resident on the third floor signaled to journalists outside by displaying a handwritten note on cardboard. The message alleged that chains, handcuffs, and urine buckets were being hidden in a room under the stairs. Reporters alerted MSDHS officials, who stated that these claims would be investigated. Meanwhile, families of residents gathered at the facility to collect their relatives. One mother, who had been visiting her son regularly during his three-year stay, expressed shock at the allegations, noting that she had previously been told by staff that her son’s injuries were the result of altercations with other patients.
For residents and their families, this situation highlights the importance of oversight in private care facilities. While the government has begun the process of relocating patients and reviewing conditions, the veracity of the specific claims regarding restraints remains subject to official confirmation. Families are currently in the process of withdrawing their loved ones from the center as the investigation continues.
