The scandal erupted last week after local media reported two Chinese women were allowed into the Bangkok Remand Prison to visit inmates, allegedly to provide sex services, raising questions over who authorised their entry.

Thailand extradites online gambling kingpin She Zhijiang to China

Thailand extradites online gambling kingpin She Zhijiang to China

The justice ministry suspended on Monday the prison’s commander and his secretary, a senior corrections officer, according to a ministry statement.

Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said the case involving prison officials “allegedly favouring Chinese inmates” was “being handled based on evidence”, according to the statement issued late on Monday.

In an earlier statement, the ministry said a search of the prison had uncovered “misconduct and prohibited items”, including condoms, tobacco and alcohol.

“Two Chinese women were found alone with an inmate inside a cell that was being renovated to serve as a reception room for senior officials,” it said.

A table, sofa and refrigerator – luxuries not typically afforded to prisoners – were inside the cell.