Human Trafficker Arrested in Samut Prakan for Forcing Victims onto Fishing Boats

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Authorities have arrested a notorious human trafficker, known as "Jae Ja Paknam," in Samut Prakan, who was involved in a brutal human trafficking operation that forced victims into slave labour aboard fishing vessels. Those who resisted were thrown into the sea, with one survivor miraculously rescued after drifting for three days.

 

On September 17, Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarut Khwaengsopha, Chief of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), ordered the arrest of 62-year-old Sompong (last name withheld), also known as "Jae Ja." The arrest warrant, issued by the Criminal Court in 2014, charged her with several offenses, including human trafficking, unlawful detention, and forcing individuals into slavery.

 

 

The arrest took place at Wat Phothiyaram (Thong Khong) in Samut Prakan Province. The case first came to light in 2012 when the ATPD received a report from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The victim had been lured by labour brokers with promises of high-paying work on a fishing boat. Upon arriving in Samut Prakan, they were taken to Sompong’s karaoke bar, coerced into signing a slave labour contract, and confined to a room under threats of violence.

 

Victims were then sent to various fishing boats, eventually being trafficked onto vessels in Malaysian waters. Many were forced to endure grueling working conditions and violent abuse. One victim, after resisting, was thrown into the sea, where they drifted for three days before being rescued by a passing Vietnamese cargo ship and returned to Thailand.

 

Following the initial report, investigators gathered evidence to secure arrest warrants for five individuals involved in the operation. Several accomplices have already been arrested, but Sompong managed to evade capture for over a decade.

 

After re-examining the testimonies of previously arrested suspects, investigators confirmed Sompong’s identity, leading to her capture. During questioning, Sompong admitted to her involvement in trafficking both Thai nationals and migrant workers onto fishing boats, where they were subjected to slave labour. She also revealed that she had been convicted of human trafficking in Samut Prakan previously and had served a three-year prison sentence.

 

Sompong is now in custody and faces further prosecution by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division. Authorities continue their efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks in the region.

 

 

-- 2024-09-18

 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities have arrested a notorious human trafficker, known as "Jae Ja Paknam," in Samut Prakan, who was involved in a brutal human trafficking operation that forced victims into slave labour aboard fishing vessels. Those who resisted were thrown into the sea, with one survivor miraculously rescued after drifting for three days.

Thailand should be hammered once again for human trafficking in the fishing industry.

[nakhonandy]

Certainly took there time to arrest her.

[john donson]

human traffickers, dark site questioning for all info, than fire squad... lowest of low, together with pedos, rapists , murderers

[retarius]

Trafickers of humans should be executed.