OUR usually reliable source neglected to mention the seizure of the following contraband: two box cutters, a pair of scissors, a small knife and 10 belts.


PHUKET: A dawn raid on Phuket Prison came today as land is being cleared for construction of a new high-tech jail that will be able to cope with 5000 prisoners from all Andaman provinces.

The predawn invasion by authorities failed to uncover drugs, weapons or telephones, leaving the longer-term inmates in the packed prison to contemplate how much better life will be in the new 1150 million baht facility.

Commander Rapin Nichanon also can't wait. He told Phuketwan today that the land has been cleared near the island's smaller, less secure facility at Bang Jo in central Phuket. Next week, the first bids will be made for the new prison's construction.

With the no-tolerance policy on drugs, the old Phuket Prison now holds a record 2881 prisoners in extremely crowded conditions that fall well below international standards.

Men are packed in 300 to a dormitory. Inmates are so tightly confined that they cannot lay on their backs at night, and taller prisoners cannot stretch out for fear of kicking prisoners in the next row. When one prisoner rolls over, all prisoners must roll over.

Officials of International Red Cross are believed to have been alarmed at conditions. Prisoners are allowed four scooped litres of water in which to wash each day, and likely to be struck if they attempt to scoop an extra litre, Phuketwan has been told.

Health checks are basic. One insider says that prisoners have been known to expire before being taken to hospital.

Today's raid and a thorough check of cells turned up no contraband, Commander Rapin said. A random check of 189 prisoners for drugs produced just one positive test, of a man who had been inside for five days and probably was still affected.

On Phuket, prisoners awaiting trial are mixed with those serving sentences. There are 2431 male prisoners and 450 females. Those with babies or young infants usually have their company at night and the children go to a creche during the day.

''The new Phuket prison will hold 5000 and become the centre for all the Andaman coast,'' Commander Rapin said. This means prisoners from Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong and Trang will serve their time on Phuket.

It will also be no longer necessary for prisoners serving sentences of 15 years or more to be moved to other jails.

''The new facility will be high-tech, with a good water system, and with security cameras throughout,'' the commander said. He said the massages being provided to the public by inmates would continue, along with the car wash service by ''trusties.'' A shop for prison produce is likely to be added.

''The old prison is likely to be turned into public space with most of it being cleared for a parkland,'' he said. ''Some of the buildings might be kept, though, for a museum.''

The budget for the new prison has been approved by the National Council for Peace and Order, which took charge of Thailand on May 22. Once a contractor is signed up, the facility will take three years to build, Commander Rapin said.