PHUKET PRISON is not going to be replaced, nor are there plans for any new jails in Thailand, the Director of the Department of Corrections, Chartchai Suttikamon, said yesterday.

He was speaking before the official opening of the annual Phuket Prison Products Fair at Saphan Hin park in Phuket City, which runs nightly until June 13.

Phuket Prison is overcrowded. Khun Chartchai said that it would be refitted to make best use of existing space. All around the director were fine examples of the work of prisoners from Phuket and across the southern provinces.

Fine, inexpensive furniture is what Phuket inmates do best. Other jails also develop specialties. On sale at the fair are sturdy metal barbecues, splendid polished tables, quality beds and finely detailed model yachts.

Want a small seat for your bum, instead of standing all day? That will be 60 baht, please. The prices are great.

And fortunately, the food at the fair is not confined to the prison variety. Fresh sushi pieces, for example, come at five baht or eight baht.

The good news is that woodworking and other skills can be carried to the outside. At least one group of former inmates has banded together to form their own cooperative to produce quality furniture. There's nothing like a little inside knowledge.