Mariyam Tadein was just 21 years old when her life took a dark turn. Police discovered over half a million tablets of “yaba” in the house she was renting in southern Thailand. Yaba, a dangerous cocktail of methamphetamine and caffeine, is a popular drug in many parts of Southeast Asia. The sheer amount of drugs found in the house was enough to fill an entire truck, and Mariyam found herself in serious trouble.
She recalls the moment she was sentenced to death, along with another person who was ultimately executed by lethal injection. “I spent 20 years, five months, and 15 days in prison. I knew I was next, that I was going to die,” she says. Despite maintaining her innocence and claiming the drugs were not hers, Mariyam was charged with drug trafficking and sentenced to death. At that time, she was prepared to face her fate.
The stigma of the death penalty weighed heavily on Mariyam. For the next two years, she had to wear a sign that read “Death Penalty” at all times. The looming threat of death was a constant presence in her life for eight years, but it was during the final two years that she finally accepted her fate. She underwent special training on how to cope with the countdown to her execution.
During those difficult years, Mariyam found solace in her work. She learned how to sew in prison classes and honed her skills while serving her sentence. The repetitive nature of sewing provided her with a sense of purpose and distraction from the harsh reality of her situation. She focused on the intricate patterns of the fabric and the thread, finding a sense of peace in the meticulous work.
Life in prison was not easy, especially when Mariyam was transferred to Songkhla prison in southern Thailand. The conditions were challenging, and she found herself surrounded by poverty-stricken inmates. The absence of her family, who eventually stopped visiting due to their belief that she would be in prison forever, added to her emotional burden. Learning that her husband had moved on and remarried was a particularly painful blow.
Despite the hardships, Mariyam remained resilient. She refused to dwell on her past or her husband’s new life, choosing instead to focus on her work. Sewing became her refuge, a way to block out the negative thoughts and memories that threatened to consume her. The intricate patterns she created with each stitch served as a metaphor for her own journey, thread by thread, day by day.
In 2004, everything changed with the devastating tsunami that struck the region. Mariyam was tasked with sewing cloth bags for the bodies of the victims, a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The experience left a profound impact on her, further reinforcing her resolve to make the most of her time behind bars.
After spending years in prison, Mariyam’s fortunes took a surprising turn. She, along with several other inmates, was granted a royal pardon. The news of her impending release brought a mix of relief and disbelief. Despite feeling like a part of her had already died during her time in prison, Mariyam was grateful for the opportunity to start anew.
Upon her release, Mariyam was welcomed back to her village with open arms. The joyous reunion with her community marked a new chapter in her life, one filled with hope and possibility. Despite the challenges she faced and the hardships she endured, Mariyam emerged from her ordeal with a newfound appreciation for life and a determination to make the most of her second chance.
As she reflects on her journey, Mariyam acknowledges the patterns of life and death that have shaped her existence. From the dark days of imprisonment to the moments of grace and redemption, she has seen the highs and lows of the human experience. Through it all, she remains steadfast in her commitment to moving forward, one stitch at a time.
