Corrections Department officials block photographers and TV cameramen as a van carrying the trio of convicted election commissioners enters Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday evening.

They then faced exercise and roll call, just like all the other inmates.

The three can ask for permission from the Department of Corrections to continue their unfinished urgent commission work.

However, the department's director-general has already ordered strict measures to prevent outsiders, the commissioners' supporters or protesters from entering the prison.

Although the three were yesterday allowed to have dinner prepared for them by their family visitors, the prison also ordered them some dishes from its Chuan Chom restaurant.

On their arrival, officers had prepared cell number 11 for them in the first zone of the prison.

The cell was next to the first-aid room and, coincidentally, just three doors away from the one where former Chat Thai Party MP Chuwit Kamolvisit was once detained.

If the three former commissioners fail to get bail within a week, they will be relocated

to cells in other zones of the remand prison.

Among the items the prison had ready for them was the prisoner manual.

While the three took off their suits and wore white shirts when they were put behind bars, visitors will be allowed to bring them

T-shirts and shorts, as well as

personal belongings such as toiletries.

The Justice Ministry's deputy permanent-secretary Tongthong Chandrangsu said the prison was required to follow regulations and would therefore record the three's personal details.

This would include taking their photographs and fingerprints, having their health checked and giving them personal belongings.

Reporters were not allowed

to take photographs of them behind bars.

Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai

The Nation