A 12-hour standoff at Thung Song district prison was brought to a peaceful end yesterday after some 700 inmates troubled by poor welfare and alleged extortion seized control of the prison.

They also called for the immediate transfer of Udom Krui-nara, the prison commander, on grounds of incompetence.

Turmoil had broken out at 8am after the inmates, both men and women, tore down the metal divider separating their quarters.

The inmates _ angered by appalling prison conditions and alleged extortion _ stormed the warden's office.

The wardens ran for their lives and narrowly escaped the clutches of the inmates intent on capturing them as hostages.

They regrouped outside the prison.

The inmates then hurled plastic cups and plates at them from the raided office on the second floor of the prison.

The prisoners, speaking through loudhailers, complained of substandard food and medicine, empty shelves in the prison's convenience stores, alleged misuse of inmates' training funds, and alleged extortion.

Corrections Department chief Kwanchai Wasawongse, however, denied the inmates' claim the prison had channelled some of the 33-baht daily meal allowance for each inmate to pamper visiting senior officials. The inmates issued a 12-point demand which included the improvement of prison conditions and welfare.

At 8pm, Mr Kwanchai promised to take up their demand for consideration and the inmates dispersed.

A source said the authorities had earlier planned to use force to break up the protest but changed their mind.

About 200 anti-riot police were mobilised at the scene.

Initial attempts to quell the unrest failed.

It was believed the prison takeover was led by 14 inmates including convicted murderers.

An eye-witness said a group of inmates had also tried to torch the prison, prompting the deployment of the fire brigade.