Australian Woman Found Guilty of Modern Slavery in Thai Sex Trafficking Case

[snoop1130]

Photo of Rungnapha (right) courtesy of AAP Image via Daily Mail UK

 

In a harrowing case of modern slavery, 63-year-old Sydney resident Rungnapha Kanbut has been found guilty of enslaving two Thai women, forcing them into sex work under oppressive conditions. The verdict was delivered by a jury at the Downing Centre Court on 1st April, marking a significant moment for Australia’s Thai community and human rights advocates.

 

Rungnapha faced six severe charges, including exercising ownership over a slave and dealing with criminal proceeds exceeding 10,000 Australian dollars. The court was presented with chilling accounts of how the victims were trafficked to Australia, coerced into prostitution, and deprived of their freedom.

 

During 2004 and 2005, the two Thai women, whose identities are withheld for legal protection, were forced to live with Rungnapha and her husband. Upon arrival, Rungnapha confiscated their passports and imposed a fictitious debt of 45,000 Australian dollars. The women were made to work 12-hour shifts daily in brothels to "repay" this fabricated debt.

 

This conviction follows a previous 2019 guilty verdict, which resulted in Rungnapha receiving a sentence of over eight years. However, it was overturned in December 2022 by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeals due to issues with jury instructions about Rungnapha's alleged criminal inclinations. A retrial was subsequently ordered, with Rungnapha released on bail.

 

 

 

The retrial, not without drama, saw two jurors dismissed for misconduct. One attempted to smuggle a knife into court under the pretext of slicing fruit, while the other breached conduct by trying to socialize with the judge's associate outside court.

 

Despite these incidents, Judge James Bennett decided the trial would continue with 10 jurors, assuring there was “no risk of a substantial miscarriage of justice.”

 

Rungnapha faces sentencing on 13th June, with calls for a stringent penalty reflecting the severity of her crimes. This case underscores critical issues surrounding human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable women through debt bondage and false immigration promises, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-03

 

 

[spidermike007]

Rungnapha Kanbut needs to be put to death within the next 30 days. The justice system should be designed so that in cases this heinous, if there is sufficient proof the death penalty should be applied quickly, and without the possibility of appeal. 

 

A certain level of decency is required of us as human beings within a functional society, and there are certain acts when committed, are essentially a self-revocation of the right to consume oxygen. 

[Harrisfan]

5 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Rungnapha Kanbut needs to be put to death within the next 30 days. The justice system should be designed so that in cases this heinous, if there is sufficient proof the death penalty should be applied quickly, and without the possibility of appeal. 

 

A certain level of decency is required of us as human beings within a functional society, and there are certain acts when committed, are essentially a self-revocation of the right to consume oxygen. 

The death penalty doesn't apply in most nations. But you are right. Half the people in prison should be put down.

[Mr Meeseeks]

She's Thai, not Australian. 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

During 2004 and 2005, the two Thai women, whose identities are withheld for legal protection, were forced to live with Rungnapha and her husband. Upon arrival, Rungnapha confiscated their passports and imposed a fictitious debt of 45,000 Australian dollars. The women were made to work 12-hour shifts daily in brothels to "repay" this fabricated debt.

I hope they suffer for the rest of their lives for the pain and suffering they inflicted on others.

[Kenny Boy]

Australian ?

What makes her Australian ?

Ex Thai bar girl that is living in Australia 

[milesinnz]

She is Thai.. why is her residency or citizenship not revoked ? Western countries are really such a soft touch...

[wombat]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

saw two jurors dismissed for misconduct. One attempted to smuggle a knife into court under the pretext of slicing fruit, while the other breached conduct by trying to socialize with the judge's associate outside court.

sounds Ozzie to me🤣

[wombat]

15 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

The death penalty doesn't apply in most nations. But you are right. Half the people in prison should be put down.

goodness me...the hang em high mob is alive and well

[StayinThailand2much]

33 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

She is Thai.. 

 

Also, I'm sure that The Thaiger (and other Thai media) would point out clearly that she is "Thai" if it were a positive news item. Only when Thais abroad go rogue, their other nationalities are mentioned, or it is trivialised with cute terms, e.g. "little ghosts"...

[BangkokReady]

45 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

She is Thai.. why is her residency or citizenship not revoked ? Western countries are really such a soft touch...

 

"Human rights."

[NorthernRyland]

47 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

She is Thai.. why is her residency or citizenship not revoked ? Western countries are really such a soft touch.

 

Let me guess....It's not her fault for keeping sex slaves because she is a victim of white supremacy?

[StandardIssue]

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Rungnapha Kanbut needs to be put to death within the next 30 days. The justice system should be designed so that in cases this heinous, if there is sufficient proof the death penalty should be applied quickly, and without the possibility of appeal. 

 

A certain level of decency is required of us as human beings within a functional society, and there are certain acts when committed, are essentially a self-revocation of the right to consume oxygen. 

 

Wow, if societies ever take these kind of barbaric ideals seriously again, you better watch that you never get accidentally caught in a situation where you might be falsely prosecuted and be a victim of your own crude screwed up notions of justice.

[SAFETY FIRST]

16 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

 Half the people in prison should be put down.

I'd say more than half 

[SAFETY FIRST]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Rungnapha Kanbut has been found guilty of enslaving two Thai women, forcing them into sex work

Bloody Thai's taking Australian jobs. 

 

[JackGats]

16 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

The death penalty doesn't apply in most nations. But you are right. Half the people in prison should be put down.

You mean they should put you in prison before putting you down.

[Harrisfan]

20 minutes ago, JackGats said:

You mean they should put you in prison before putting you down.

Start with you

[Stevemercer]

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Rungnapha Kanbut needs to be put to death within the next 30 days. The justice system should be designed so that in cases this heinous, if there is sufficient proof the death penalty should be applied quickly, and without the possibility of appeal. 

 

I knew of a case of a Thai woman convicted for the same offence back in 2010. She got 10 years jail followed by deportation. The 'victim' came willingly to Australia to work the sex trade (the 'sponsor' paid her airfares, arranged her tourist visa and accomodation). But she got caught working on a tourist visa. She was interned in Villawood awaiting deportation, but volunteered evidence against her 'sponsor'. In return for her testimony (and noting the trial might take years) she was released back into the community, under police sponsoship, and given a visa leading to residency in return for her testimony.

 

I'm not saying who is right or wrong, but the accused doesn't deserve the death penalty devil.

 

 

[impulse]

The saddest thing is that it took them 20 years to mete out some justice.

 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, wombat said:

goodness me...the hang em high mob is alive and well

Well I think that the death penalty is an absolutely wonderful thing in certain instances, when a truly heinous crime has been committed and there is absolutely positive evidence, or witness testimony. Why not put them to death? It's good for society and it avoids clogging up the jail system and saves nations the huge expense of incarcerating them.

 

As I've said before there are certain acts that you commit in this life that are essentially a self-revocation of the right to consume oxygen. So see you, byebye, you're no longer of use to us. 

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

She's Thai, not Australian. 

 

Might have been naturalized, before her criminal involvement.