54 Burmese Migrants Suffocate On Thai Soil

[kat]

Remember they were/are illegal immigrants and have probably heard of the risks.

It's part of the hypocritical nature of a lot of posts on this thread. True, the loss of life is tragic, but it seems like if you're an illegal and you survive the journey, "you're a criminal and parasite." But if you lose your life trying to get over here (or any other country you're trying to get into), you're an "exploited person just looking for a better life."

So, what do you propose doing about this contradiction .... anything?

never mind the employers exploitation at the factory or wherever.

You'd be a riot at our worksites (made up of plenty of foreigners, all legals of course), Gene.

Gene: You are all being exploited!

Khmer laborer: So will you give us a job?

Gene: No! I don't want to exploit you! (dramatic pause) ...You are being exploited!

As you know, it is possible to respect both the labor AND human rights of migrants, but that is a concept that is lost on the vast majority of Southeast Asians.

Tragically so ...

[Heng]

Remember they were/are illegal immigrants and have probably heard of the risks.

It's part of the hypocritical nature of a lot of posts on this thread. True, the loss of life is tragic, but it seems like if you're an illegal and you survive the journey, "you're a criminal and parasite." But if you lose your life trying to get over here (or any other country you're trying to get into), you're an "exploited person just looking for a better life."

So, what do you propose doing about this contradiction .... anything?

never mind the employers exploitation at the factory or wherever.

You'd be a riot at our worksites (made up of plenty of foreigners, all legals of course), Gene.

Gene: You are all being exploited!

Khmer laborer: So will you give us a job?

Gene: No! I don't want to exploit you! (dramatic pause) ...You are being exploited!

As you know, it is possible to respect both the labor AND human rights of migrants, but that is a concept that is lost on the vast majority of Southeast Asians.

Tragically so ...

Hmm... I propose to continue to be amused by the hypocrisy.

Absolutely. It's again amusing though how people assume that just because they work at a lower wage standard (and actually I think people don't even take that into account... they assume that if you employ X hundreds or thousands, that you must be exploiting these folks somehow) that the labor and human rights of migrants are not being respected.

[kat]

Remember they were/are illegal immigrants and have probably heard of the risks.

It's part of the hypocritical nature of a lot of posts on this thread. True, the loss of life is tragic, but it seems like if you're an illegal and you survive the journey, "you're a criminal and parasite." But if you lose your life trying to get over here (or any other country you're trying to get into), you're an "exploited person just looking for a better life."

So, what do you propose doing about this contradiction .... anything?

never mind the employers exploitation at the factory or wherever.

You'd be a riot at our worksites (made up of plenty of foreigners, all legals of course), Gene.

Gene: You are all being exploited!

Khmer laborer: So will you give us a job?

Gene: No! I don't want to exploit you! (dramatic pause) ...You are being exploited!

As you know, it is possible to respect both the labor AND human rights of migrants, but that is a concept that is lost on the vast majority of Southeast Asians.

Tragically so ...

Hmm... I propose to continue to be amused by the hypocrisy.

Absolutely. It's again amusing though how people assume that just because they work at a lower wage standard (and actually I think people don't even take that into account... they assume that if you employ X hundreds or thousands, that you must be exploiting these folks somehow) that the labor and human rights of migrants are not being respected.

Where is my comment hypocritical? I am simply pointing out the widespread one-dimensionality of your example in bold above in SEA. The only assumption I did make in fact is that you might know there is a difference, as in the phrase, "As you know".

[Heng]

Remember they were/are illegal immigrants and have probably heard of the risks.

It's part of the hypocritical nature of a lot of posts on this thread. True, the loss of life is tragic, but it seems like if you're an illegal and you survive the journey, "you're a criminal and parasite." But if you lose your life trying to get over here (or any other country you're trying to get into), you're an "exploited person just looking for a better life."

So, what do you propose doing about this contradiction .... anything?

never mind the employers exploitation at the factory or wherever.

You'd be a riot at our worksites (made up of plenty of foreigners, all legals of course), Gene.

Gene: You are all being exploited!

Khmer laborer: So will you give us a job?

Gene: No! I don't want to exploit you! (dramatic pause) ...You are being exploited!

As you know, it is possible to respect both the labor AND human rights of migrants, but that is a concept that is lost on the vast majority of Southeast Asians.

Tragically so ...

Hmm... I propose to continue to be amused by the hypocrisy.

Absolutely. It's again amusing though how people assume that just because they work at a lower wage standard (and actually I think people don't even take that into account... they assume that if you employ X hundreds or thousands, that you must be exploiting these folks somehow) that the labor and human rights of migrants are not being respected.

Where is my comment hypocritical? I am simply pointing out the widespread one-dimensionality of your example in bold above in SEA. The only assumption I did make in fact is that you might know there is a difference, as in the phrase, "As you know".

I didn't refer to your comment as hypocritical. That's my answer to your question of "what do you propose to do?" (about the hypocritical nature IMO of the opinions of many people on this forum). Wasn't sure how to insert my comment in the middle of a double quote bubble.

Anyway, the answer is nothing, other than continue to be amused.

[kat]

Well, I think if you have employed x hundreds or thousands or even one migrant worker in a way that respects their dignity, labor, and human rights you are already doing something.

[Heng]

Thanks Kat. I don't employ thousands, in fact only dozens. As a family as a whole, it'd be hundreds.

I have no doubt that I am 'doing something.' As for their dignity, labor, and human rights, as per my original post, these are the last things on their mind at the end of each day.

Edited April 13, 2008 by Heng

[Wombat6]

My observations are that these poor unfortunate people who died a terrible death are human beings,...legal or illegal.

The truck driver involved must be scared for his life as if he is able to point the finger at anyone, they will certainly be hunting him.

The local gossip in Ranong is that the authorities or the smuggler(s) didn't pay for the mass burial of the victims instead a local charity was approached to pay. It is said that the remains of the victims will be dug up in 3 months and burnt. ( possibly to avert any future enquiry re human rights????)

Finally,..the comments made by thaibkk in an earlier post indicates to me that he has a big chip on his shoulder. If he thinks Thailand is a hellhole, he has the choice to leave. Did he have the idea that Thailand could offer him a better life, just like the Burmese people did? It also indicates to me that probably because he is possibly not working (sitting in a Internet cafe writing rubbish) he is jealous of the people who have worked hard all there lives and decided to retire here and enjoy life.

On your way mate! and take all your supporters with you.

[scotbeve]

My observations are that these poor unfortunate people who died a terrible death are human beings,...legal or illegal.

The truck driver involved must be scared for his life as if he is able to point the finger at anyone, they will certainly be hunting him.

The local gossip in Ranong is that the authorities or the smuggler(s) didn't pay for the mass burial of the victims instead a local charity was approached to pay. It is said that the remains of the victims will be dug up in 3 months and burnt. ( possibly to avert any future enquiry re human rights????)

Finally,..the comments made by thaibkk in an earlier post indicates to me that he has a big chip on his shoulder. If he thinks Thailand is a hellhole, he has the choice to leave. Did he have the idea that Thailand could offer him a better life, just like the Burmese people did? It also indicates to me that probably because he is possibly not working (sitting in a Internet cafe writing rubbish) he is jealous of the people who have worked hard all there lives and decided to retire here and enjoy life.

On your way mate! and take all your supporters with you.

Ahhh.... another reader whom has beaten me to the succint retort (and well deserved).... Alas, I was away getting parshed re:Songkran ( BTW - I'm still dry literally and figuratively).

I'm going along with 99% of what you stated in the above. I actually feel very sorry for the lorry driver and worry for his life (the one who will, in fact, take the full brunt of the law / politics...re: scapegoat)

Dude,

re: thaibkk - ummmm....yeah! Whadamuck is he doin' here period / full stop / ad infinum? As I asked him / her / it in my last retort... Hellhole indeed!!!!!!!

[sriracha john]

Suchon Boonplong, owner of the 20-ft truck in which 120 migrants were crammed in the container, surrenders to the police in Thailand's Ranong province, south of Bangkok, April 15, 2008. Boonplong, the driver of a container truck in which 54 illegal migrants suffocated to death on their way from army-ruled Myanmar to Thailand has surrendered to police after a seven-day manhunt, police said on Tuesday.

REUTERS

[sriracha john]

Thai driver of fatal smuggling truck surrenders: police

BANGKOK — The Thai driver of a truck in which 54 Myanmar migrants suffocated to death has surrendered and confessed to his role in last week's human smuggling tragedy, police said Wednesday.

Suchon Boonplong, 38, gave himself up to police on Tuesday morning, said Major General Apirak Hongthong, Ranong provincial police commander.

"He confessed that he was hired by the owner of the truck to transport those people to Phuket for 80,000 baht," Apirak told AFP.

Of the 120 migrants fleeing economic collapse in Myanmar and seeking a better life in Thailand, 37 women and 17 men suffocated to death in the stifling storage container with a broken ventilation system.

They had clambered into the container -- measuring just six metres (20 feet) long by 2.2 metres wide -- in southern Ranong province near Myanmar's border last Wednesday evening.

The men, women and children were trying to get to the resort island of Phuket to find work as labourers, but within hours they were dying.

Suchon told a press conference that he stopped answering his mobile phone and at first ignored the desperate bangs coming from inside the box.

When he finally pulled over and opened the door, Suchon saw that many of his human cargo had died, so he ran away, the paper said.

Apirak told AFP that Suchon faced charges of smuggling illegal migrants into Thailand and gross negligence causing death and injury. He could serve 10 years in prison if convicted.

Suchon is the third suspect arrested in connection with the deaths. The owner of the truck and the owner of the pier where the migrants were smuggled onto the container are already in police custody.

Of those who survived the horrific journey, 46 are in prison facing a 2,000 baht fine for illegally entering Thailand.

Apirak said that most could not afford the penalty and would therefore serve 10 days in prison.

Of four who have paid the fine, two are awaiting deportation and two are being held as witnesses, while children and teenagers among the migrants are being held in the Ranong immigration centre.

Myanmar is one of the world's poorest countries, its economy battered by decades of mismanagement under military rule and further hampered by Western sanctions imposed over the junta's human rights record.

Thousands of people from Myanmar illegally cross the border into Thailand each month seeking a better paid job, but often end up exploited by employers.

- AFP / 4-16-08

[tropo]

Thats life in Southest Asia, get over it! All the righteous people who write about how terrible these things are the same ones who are here exploiting these people in these countries in some other form or fashion. Thats reality!

Thanks for your caring concern over human life and your callus and unrealistic view on the posters on this thread. What a stupid, heartless thing to say!

Just because YOU don't care, it doesn't mean that we don't.

Does it really matter what we think?

This is Thailand and the question should really be: Do the Thais care?

I think not.

It's only when they start caring about their next door neighbours that anything will ever be done. I really don't think this will ever happen.

Edited April 16, 2008 by tropo

[Scott]

I don't think the average Thai (or anyone else) is aware of the real dangers of trafficking. The world is built on the exploitation of one group by another. The point is to move the level from Exploitation with a capital E to symbiotic in which both groups benefit.

Remember if any of these people showed up and we were looking for a maid or gardner, we would probably hire them, without knowing what they had been through, what they owe or just how much exploitation occurred in their journey.

It's up to the laws of both countries as well as international organizations to stop the international trafficking.

[ratcatcher]

A little OFF-TOPIc, but relevant.................

From THE NATION Apr 22 2008

Six Thais charged with human smuggling in UK

Six Thai nationals were among nine people charged with people trafficking offences, UK media reported Tuesday.

Of the nine; five men and four women, at least six are Thai nationals. They were held after raids by Metropolitan Police vice squad officers on addresses in London and Surrey on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to control prostitution and money laundering.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, who were living in Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, from Paddington, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington; Cuttima Khongpong from Streatham and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, from Streatham, whose ages are unknown; and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Brent Cross.

All will appear before City of London Magistrates on Tuesday.

During the raids, police removed 30 women who they believe had been coerced into working as prostitutes.

Police believe a criminal network had been using an internet escort agency site as a front for organised prostitution

................................................................................

.................................................................................

..................................................................

BBC London...........Apr 22 2008

Nine charged after brothel raids

Arrest in Paddington

Officers from Operation Gib arrest a man in a raid in Paddington

Police have charged nine people after raids on 19 brothels in central London.

The five men and four women were held as part of an operation targeting brothels operating via the internet.

It is alleged women were smuggled from abroad, the majority from Thailand, before being coerced into working as prostitutes in the capital.

The accused, from London and Surrey, are charged with conspiring to traffic women for exploitation, controlling prostitution and money laundering.

Up to 110 officers are involved in Operation Gib, led by the Metropolitan Police with support from Surrey Constabulary and Norfolk Constabulary.

Those charged are due to appear before City of London Magistrates' Court.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, all from Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, and Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington, west London; Cuttima Khongpong and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, both from Streatham, south west London, whose ages are unknown, and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Hendon, north west London.

................................................................................

.................................................................................

...................................................................

I wonder whether they will go to jail or be deported.?

[Tony Clifton]

Remember they were/are illegal immigrants and have probably heard of the risks.

It's part of the hypocritical nature of a lot of posts on this thread. True, the loss of life is tragic, but it seems like if you're an illegal and you survive the journey, "you're a criminal and parasite." But if you lose your life trying to get over here (or any other country you're trying to get into), you're an "exploited person just looking for a better life."

And should the victims be white, I shudder at the negative comments which would be directed at them on this forum.

May these poor souls rest in peace.

Simple, then there is no doubt who the victims are, because no one would be stupid enough to pack into a poorly maintained minivan just to go to some border town every 90 days. It must be someone else's fault and likely part of a conspiracy.

It's easy making such jokes, especially when holding dual nationality and never having to make visa runs on either side. Look at the paint jobs on most buses and vans, do they look like they are poorly maintained? Not at all, yet 80 % or more of the entire country's fleet would be taken off the road according to Euro and U.S. standards and that's not considering local drivers behaviour.

Funny pics of the grave, it looks bigger than the truck. I sure wonder what went in through minds went they entered that container... Besides I should go back to Yangon at least twice over the next few weeks, quite a fun place actually.

It was a refrigerated container, whether it really worked or not... No one born in this part of the world is stupid enough to want to sit in a metal box under the sun for a few hours, they were all told not to worry about the heat. Could be the driver wanting to make even more profit by saving on fuel and not turning on the unit, it broke down or even already knew it wasn't working prior to locking these poor people inside. This sh!t will never stop here, it's as ingrained and accepted as corruption and prostitution.

Maybe they should go back to the old Siam days start chopping heads off again on public places.

Plenty of practice with politicians reaching and stealing from each and every single citizen's pocket to begin with.

[scotbeve]

Tony C. wrote:

................... .............. ...... Maybe they should go back to the old Siam days start chopping heads off again on public places.

Plenty of practice with politicians reaching and stealing from each and every single citizen's pocket to begin with.

I'll be the first in line to see that!! Tickets please, popcorn, hot dogs, getyur peanuts heah !!!

[apetley]

From todays Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=127231

No human trafficking here

By Anchalee Kongrut and Wimol Nukaew

Authorities say that under Thai law human trafficking required an act of exploitation, which was absent from the smuggling of people seeking proper work.

The death-truck tragedy involving 120 illegal Burmese job seekers, 54 of whom suffocated to death, is likely to be treated as a smuggling case and not human trafficking.

An initial investigation had determined the evidence did not support a human-trafficking case, immigration bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit said yesterday.

It was a matter of legal interpretation, he said.

"This initial finding may run counter to general sentiment and reports which labelled this as a case of human trafficking. But there is a difference between human smuggling and trafficking, it's a matter of degree," Pol Lt-Gen Chatchawal said. The offenders in the case would still be brought to justice.

Under Thai law human trafficking required an act of exploitation, which was absent from the smuggling of people seeking proper work.

Human trafficking must involve smuggling of people with the specific objective of employing them in slave-like conditions and jobs, such as forced prostitution. People smuggling was a crime of lesser degree. The penalties were also different.

Police originally said there were 121 migrants on the truck, but now say their original count incorrectly included a Thai man who had fainted at the scene and was hospitalised.

Human rights commissioner Sunee Chaiyarose disagreed with such an interpretation, which she said was based on vague, incomprehensive laws.

Treating the case as human smuggling would enable the authorities to speed up the deportations.

The survivors should be allowed to stay and claim compensation.

Representatives of the Lawyers Council would meet with the survivors, who had been moved from prison to the Ranong immigration office, and see if any would like to file complaints.

Orathai Junsawanarak, manager of the anti-trafficking and child-protection section of World Vision, said the authorities should urgently provide counselling for the Burmese. The survivors, particularly children, badly needed such services after such trauma, she said.

Ms Orathai said World Vision staff in Burma would look after these survivors when they return home and provide shelter and counselling.

Ranong police have begun an intensive hunt for the last suspect in the case, Supat Phothong, 34, believed to be the broker who brought the Burmese job seekers to Thailand.

Six other suspects have surrendered to the authorities.

Mr Supat is believed to be armed and dangerous and in hiding with his relatives in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Pol Maj-Gen Apirak Hongthong, the chief of Ranong provincial police, said.

He had authorised the use of "harsh measures" if the suspect violently resisted arrest.

Assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Chongrak Chuthanon is to travel to Ranong on Friday for a briefing on the progress of the case.

So there is no exploitation when it involves taking these unfortunate Burmese to jobs that will inevitably pay much less than the Thai minimum.

Totally sucks! The authorities know these people were not going to 'proper' work. They were more than likely going to exploitation by wealthy Thais.

Here's the reason for the lesser charges I fear.

[scotbeve]

apetley,

Thank you.... as stated from your last reply below:

So there is no exploitation when it involves taking these unfortunate Burmese to jobs that will inevitably pay much less than the Thai minimum.

Totally sucks! The authorities know these people were not going to 'proper' work. They were more than likely going to exploitation by wealthy Thais.

Here's the reason for the lesser charges I fear.

Once again, myself and at least one other forum reader has the cajones (re: brass ones) to call the Thais out - as they should be. Shame and greng jai though will never approach any lobes in their minds as they are WAY TOO ABOVE THIS MESS.... real sad!!!

[thaigene2]

A little OFF-TOPIc, but relevant.................

From THE NATION Apr 22 2008

Six Thais charged with human smuggling in UK

Six Thai nationals were among nine people charged with people trafficking offences, UK media reported Tuesday.

Of the nine; five men and four women, at least six are Thai nationals. They were held after raids by Metropolitan Police vice squad officers on addresses in London and Surrey on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to control prostitution and money laundering.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, who were living in Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, from Paddington, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington; Cuttima Khongpong from Streatham and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, from Streatham, whose ages are unknown; and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Brent Cross.

All will appear before City of London Magistrates on Tuesday.

During the raids, police removed 30 women who they believe had been coerced into working as prostitutes.

Police believe a criminal network had been using an internet escort agency site as a front for organised prostitution

................................................................................

................................................................................

.

..................................................................

BBC London...........Apr 22 2008

Nine charged after brothel raids

Arrest in Paddington

Officers from Operation Gib arrest a man in a raid in Paddington

Police have charged nine people after raids on 19 brothels in central London.

The five men and four women were held as part of an operation targeting brothels operating via the internet.

It is alleged women were smuggled from abroad, the majority from Thailand, before being coerced into working as prostitutes in the capital.

The accused, from London and Surrey, are charged with conspiring to traffic women for exploitation, controlling prostitution and money laundering.

Up to 110 officers are involved in Operation Gib, led by the Metropolitan Police with support from Surrey Constabulary and Norfolk Constabulary.

Those charged are due to appear before City of London Magistrates' Court.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, all from Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, and Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington, west London; Cuttima Khongpong and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, both from Streatham, south west London, whose ages are unknown, and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Hendon, north west London.

................................................................................

................................................................................

.

...................................................................

I wonder whether they will go to jail or be deported.?

More to the point, you ever wonder why they don't even mention investigating in Thailand? And HEY what ever happened to MRS. Rich-Poo-Ying-Wong-Chin-Chin-Chan-Porn or whatever her name was, head of the Tourist Authority of Thailand and who's UK based daughter was accused by the US of laundering the money that mummy was accused of cashing in on some shady deal about the Bangkok Film Festival by some equally shady jewish-american couple? - oh, look it's all gone quiet - AGAIN? Greedy little fingers are in the pie me thinks - just like how Thaksin's millions weren't frozen for weeks, and weeks, after the coup...gee...I wonder why? Are the same familes who's fat old ladies were wearing the Saudi Gems now driving around in new cars purchase with the proceeds from some of this other farcical nonsense? Of course their fat little Chan-Wong fingers are in the chcolate box as Somchai drives the car..Hope they choke on it, personally.

Edited April 22, 2008 by thaigene2

[scotbeve]

THAIGENE 2,

The list just goes on and on and on .... ad infinum. I've given up counting

[thaigene2]

THAIGENE 2,

The list just goes on and on and on .... ad infinum. I've given up counting

I know - but it just beggars belief - but I guess this is what happens when a certain segment in society sees the cultural/religious vulnerability of the masses and interprets that as an opportunity to walk all over the others? Is that what it all boils down to? Pretend you're the same religion and same culture - then just take anything- whatever, wherever and whenever you like? Is that it - is that where we are at now (is that where it has always been)? Is it only (some) farangs that can see this? Or are we just supposed to smile and look away? Look at the (majority) of names of those who prospered in this case..You reckon those people would ever spend a night behind bars here in LOS?

Edited April 22, 2008 by thaigene2

[scotbeve]

Thaigene2

Is that 2nd generation Thai btw?? Kind of an ironic twist of fate if it is that in fact. I've been here for 27 yrs now, married (to the same woman) for 20 and kinda seen quite a bit. There are actually some righteous people at or near the top of the food chain that devote their time and not-so-hard-earned-cash to really good causes. Can't say that there's an over-abundance of them though. In all honesty, there's more of a vulture culture here in this country that's become more prominent in the past over-indulgence, over-credited, over-commercialized, 20 (ish) yrs. than I'd like to admit seeing... Once again, sad

[ratcatcher]

A little OFF-TOPIc, but relevant.................

From THE NATION Apr 22 2008

Six Thais charged with human smuggling in UK

Six Thai nationals were among nine people charged with people trafficking offences, UK media reported Tuesday.

Of the nine; five men and four women, at least six are Thai nationals. They were held after raids by Metropolitan Police vice squad officers on addresses in London and Surrey on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to control prostitution and money laundering.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, who were living in Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, from Paddington, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington; Cuttima Khongpong from Streatham and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, from Streatham, whose ages are unknown; and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Brent Cross.

All will appear before City of London Magistrates on Tuesday.

During the raids, police removed 30 women who they believe had been coerced into working as prostitutes.

Police believe a criminal network had been using an internet escort agency site as a front for organised prostitution

................................................................................

................................................................................

.

..................................................................

BBC London...........Apr 22 2008

Nine charged after brothel raids

Arrest in Paddington

Officers from Operation Gib arrest a man in a raid in Paddington

Police have charged nine people after raids on 19 brothels in central London.

The five men and four women were held as part of an operation targeting brothels operating via the internet.

It is alleged women were smuggled from abroad, the majority from Thailand, before being coerced into working as prostitutes in the capital.

The accused, from London and Surrey, are charged with conspiring to traffic women for exploitation, controlling prostitution and money laundering.

Up to 110 officers are involved in Operation Gib, led by the Metropolitan Police with support from Surrey Constabulary and Norfolk Constabulary.

Those charged are due to appear before City of London Magistrates' Court.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, all from Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, and Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington, west London; Cuttima Khongpong and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, both from Streatham, south west London, whose ages are unknown, and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Hendon, north west London.

................................................................................

................................................................................

.

...................................................................

I wonder whether they will go to jail or be deported.?

More to the point, you ever wonder why they don't even mention investigating in Thailand? And HEY what ever happened to MRS. Rich-Poo-Ying-Wong-Chin-Chin-Chan-Porn or whatever her name was, head of the Tourist Authority of Thailand and who's UK based daughter was accused by the US of laundering the money that mummy was accused of cashing in on some shady deal about the Bangkok Film Festival by some equally shady jewish-american couple? - oh, look it's all gone quiet - AGAIN? Greedy little fingers are in the pie me thinks - just like how Thaksin's millions weren't frozen for weeks, and weeks, after the coup...gee...I wonder why? Are the same familes who's fat old ladies were wearing the Saudi Gems now driving around in new cars purchase with the proceeds from some of this other farcical nonsense? Of course their fat little Chan-Wong fingers are in the chcolate box as Somchai drives the car..Hope they choke on it, personally.

Maybe sriracha john knows the answer to that.

(--------------------

Former TAT Governor Denies Ever Being TAT Governor

Former TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan threatens to sue anyone who claims she was the TAT Governor

- NotTheNation

:D

Edited April 22, 2008 by ratcatcher

[scotbeve]

Dudes and dudesses,

This could turn out (and it should) into another thread.... Let's see Poo Yai's don't leave skid-marks (or something on those terms) should be the header.

[Heng]

It's easy making such jokes, especially when holding dual nationality and never having to make visa runs on either side. Look at the paint jobs on most buses and vans, do they look like they are poorly maintained?

You got that right, you've got a real point about automotive paint job quality.

Edited April 22, 2008 by Heng

[traveller57]

who on earthh wants this to anyone?

RIP

[george]

Update:

Burmese immigrants in suffocation scare to be repatriated

RANONG: -- Ranong authorities is preparing to repatriate some of the Burmese immigrants who survived an incident in which several suffocated to death in the freezing compartment of a truck on April 9.

They were on their way to Phuket province from Burma when dozens died from asphyxiation.

Of the 66 survivors, 56 will be sent back to Burma on Monday afternoon. Thai authorities will hold 10 others as witnesses in court and will send them back to their native homeland once the case is closed.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-05-18

[Heng]

I'm sure they'll be jumping with joy now they've been liberated and sent back to Burma.

[thaigene2]

I'm sure they'll be jumping with joy now they've been liberated and sent back to Burma.

From one disaster to another. Talk about a country of people that are so overdue a break..

As for Thailand, it's been itching to get rid of the lorry survivors since day-one. It didn't want to investigate the link to Thai employers..just the transporters (easier and less messy - since it may well have been revealed that the authorities are in on the act getting bribes to look the other way as migrants are moved around illegally between provinces). The only reason they kept them here for this long is that NGOs kicked up a fuss and the newspapers covered the story quite well (for a change).

[Heng]

More likely because they were arguing over who would pay for the chartered truck + fuel. And it'll likely be the government + taxpayer, at a 300% markup over cost.

[JetsetBkk]

£1,500 - official value of Burmese worker's life (less £1,000 if they were here illegally)

‘Death truck’ families to receive B35k per victim

BANGKOK (TNA): Relatives of the 54 Burmese migrant workers who suffocated in the back of a seafood truck in Ranong on April 9 will receive 35,000 baht compensation for each relative who died while being illegally transported to Phuket, Suwanna Suwanjutha, director-general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, said on Tuesday.

A total of 121 people were crammed inside a container measuring six meters long and 2.2 meters wide.

The migrant workers died after the driver failed to turn on the air conditioning for the container, which was normally used to transport frozen food.

Khun Suwanna said the money will be awarded to relatives of 34 of the 54 victims at Victoria Point, so the recipients would not have to enter Thailand to receive the compensation.

Documents were being compiled to pay compensation to relatives of the 20 remaining victims, she said.

It was explained that another 65,000 baht will be paid to relatives of each victim in accordance with Thailand’s automobile accident law if the victims were found to have not committed any crime.

Of the survivors, Thai police have taken 10 into custody as witnesses, while others have been repatriated to Myanmar.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/index.asp?id=6656