Thailand’s Minister of Justice, Pol. Col. Tavee Sodsong, has come under fire for his confusing remarks regarding a high-profile prison case involving former police chief “Joe Ferrari.” The minister’s comments on the issue, particularly about a female inmate in a male section of the prison, have sparked widespread criticism and mockery on social media.
On March 10, 2025, Minister Tavee addressed media questions concerning the request made by the former police chief, Joe Ferrari, for solitary confinement, citing fears for his safety from other inmates. However, during his explanation, Tavee mentioned that the cell adjacent to Ferrari’s was occupied by a female inmate who was on her period. This statement was met with confusion, as the facility houses only male prisoners.
When questioned by journalists about the apparent mix-up of genders in the male section of the prison, the minister hesitantly suggested that the inmate was LGBTQ+. This explanation further raised eyebrows, especially when he struggled to respond to a follow-up query about the biological impossibility of transgender women having a menstrual cycle.
The incident has led to a storm of criticism online, with many questioning the minister’s grasp of gender issues and his ability to adequately handle the role of justice minister. Social media users have mocked Tavee’s comments, speculating whether the mistake was due to ignorance or poor scripting. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of gender sensitivity in government positions, as reported by Thai Rath.
