On 17 January 2024, Police Major General 1 Siriwish Chantechasitkul, Director of Department of Special Investigation (DSI)’s Bureau of Human Trafficking, spoke about the case of high-level government officials allegedly involved in the trafficking of Thai berry pickers to Finland from 2020-2023.
Police Major Siriwish said the DSI has clear evidence supporting bribery allegations against 2 former ministers and 2 high-level government officials involved in the export of Thai workers to Finland from 2020-2023. The financial flows amounting to a total of 36 million baht were found linked to the four individuals.
He reiterated that the DSI has considered evidence for the corruption case thoroughly and carefully. However, the human trafficking offenses will be prosecuted separately, where investigators will be able to proceed without the need for NACC’s indication.
According to the investigation, a group of politicians, civil servants, and civilians demanded that a Thai job broker pay an average of 3,000 baht for each worker. The broker, in turn, passed the special requirement on to about 12,000 Thai workers in addition to other expenses.
As per the timeline, Police Major Siriwish added that the case was filed in October 2023, and collection of evidence had been ongoing, including information from Finnish authorities. The DSI and public prosecutors worked together and agreed to press charges with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) earlier in January.
Sources:
https://thestandard.co/dsi-found-36-million-baht-finnish-human-trafficking/
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2722336/former-ministers-face-bribery-charges-
over-labour-exports
https://www.dsi.go.th/th/Detail/23a7595d0d10326d6b8454d5658da83e
