Inmates at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison in southern Thailand staged a protest Thursday morning demanding that strict rules against them be eased, while authorities concerned have kept the situation under control.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya told journalists that Nakhon Si Thammarat governor, southern senior prison officials and provincial police forces are jointly taking care of the incident and the situation has been under control.

"The inmates have no heavy arms, but only spoons, forks and small knives from the prison's kitchen," said Chidchai. "The local authorities are negotiating with their leaders."

"Only half of the inmates at the prison have staged the protest. So, the situation should return to normalcy shortly," he added.

A group of about 30 inmates have rallied inside the Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison since around 08:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) Thursday, the official Thai News Agency said. But some local media said the number of the protesters is as high as 400.

The prison director and chief of southern prisons, who were attending a seminar in Bangkok, were then ordered by Department of Corrections Director-General Nathee Chitsawang to immediately fly back to oversee the incident.

Chaiyant Chotichan, the southern prisons' chief and director of Surat Thani Prison, said the inmates' rally was aimed to show their protest against the prison's strict rules.

Source: Xinhua