A Thai woman and a Cambodian man were detained after Thai police conducted anti-human trafficking raids in the Patong area of Krathu district on Sunday. Suphattra Charoensuk, the Thai suspect, and Ngo Sun, the Cambodian suspect, were charged with human trafficking and making others perform forced labour.
17 minors, believed to be both Vietnamese and Cambodian, were rescued from this criminal organization during the anti-human trafficking raids in Phuket. All 17 minors are being screened by the Thai authorities to determine who was trafficked into Thailand. All minors are now residing at Phuket’s shelter for children.
The investigation started when a victim managed to escape and contacted the Anti-Trafficking in Person Division of the Royal Thai Police, said Police Lt. Gen. Jaruwat Waisaya, an assistant to the national police chief. Using the information provided by the escaped victim, Thai police began tracking the movements of all the gang members. Many victims were tricked into forced labour in Phuket, while certain numbers “voluntarily worked”.
The traffickers paid money to the children’s parents; which essentially gave them the rights to employ minors as hawkers in Thailand. Many parents were told that their children would have an easy job which pays approximately 5,000 baht monthly. After being smuggled into Thailand, the children were forced to sell sunglasses or garlands on the street.
As ordered by Gen Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha and by RTP Commissioner General Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, law enforcement officers are tasked to eradicate and dismantle all human trafficking operations in Thailand. The two suspected are now being detained in the capital waiting for trials.
The suspects could receive the maximum penalty of 4 years imprisonment and fine 400,000 baht ($12,600) if both are to be found guilty. The 17 minors are currently under the supervision of the Thai police and an NGO from Cambodia. Due to this highly sensitive and delicate situation, the minors would not be sending back and can ask for permission to reside in Thailand yearly.
Sources: https://www.posttoday.com/social/local/615614
Photo credits: https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9630000018152
