Ayutthaya Sweatshop Busted For Employing Laotian Child Labour
By Khaosod English


Police raided a gold jewelry shop in Ayutthaya province where three Laotian children were reportedly forced to work for less than 20 baht a day, 12 Nov 2014.

AYUTTHAYA — Police raided a gold jewelry shop in Ayutthaya province this morning where three Laotian children were reportedly forced to work for less than 20 baht a day.

The jewelry shop is located on the upper floor of a building in Sena district, police say. The owner, Sumonthanee Opassuwan, 35, was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking during the raid, which was organised by local police, soldiers, and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Sermkid Sitthichaikan said police received information about the gold shop from three Laotian children who used to work there but escaped.

The children, two boys and one girl, are between 14-15 years old, he said.

According to Pol.Maj.Gen. Sermkid, the children said they were forced to wake up early in the morning, clean the shop, and work on gold necklaces until the afternoon when they were given their first meal. The children were sometimes forced to work till 1 am and were also prevented from leaving the building or contacting their parents, the officer said.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Sermkid added that the children were paid between 500-1,000 baht for three months of work.

"Eventually they could not stand the conditions anymore, so they climbed out of the window and down the electric pole," Pol.Maj.Gen. Sermkid said. "They were trying to go home, but they ran into police first."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1415781285


-- Khaosod English 2014-11-12

Dear EU and US, we swear everything is kosher within the Thai gold-industry!!

Just trying to save the poor girls from prostitution!!

If karma excists, I hope the owner will rot in hell!

Whatever happened to humanity??

If karma excists, I hope the owner will rot in hell!

Whatever happened to humanity??

If there is any justice, rot in hell after a very long period in prison...

Tip of the iceberg!

Trafficking does not exist in Thailand. Everybody is now happy <<< c.f. Gen. Prayuth 11/11/2014

Trafficking does not exist in Thailand. Everybody is now happy <<< c.f. Gen. Prayuth 11/11/2014

The place was busted on Gen. Prayuth's watch.. I wonder how long it had been operating under Shinawatra watch? There were reports then of the police taking them BACK to receive a payment!

"They were trying to go home, but they ran into police first."

I would guess they are damn lucky not to have been returned to the shop!!

I am left with one question though... why did the shop owner pay them anything at all? Slaves are not payed a wage. If you are going to keep slaves, why pay them anything? My guess would be it has something to do with charging them room and board, so they were REALLY paid nothing at all, but I'm kind of cynical.

I don't believe in karma, or the afterlife, I believe in shooting the sons of bitches that deserve shooting, right here on this spiritual plane. One joint at a time.

Thais wouldn't do that! So, who are the foreigners this time?!

I think what happens next is the shop owner files criminal defamation suit against the journalists for saying such bad things against them. The judges will then jail the journalists for making thailand look bad...

those damn Laotian children

I note the army was involved again, seems they need to be there to get any action out of the police.

If karma excists, I hope the owner will rot in hell!

Whatever happened to humanity??

This is SLAVERY of the lowest magnitude. But it must be Myanmar not THAI people for sure! My god I am so sick of hearing blame shifted from Thailand and Thais even in my own office! Just own up and say and admit there are crap people everywhere. But this THE HUB of slavery and what has happened? SAME SAME and here is proof.

Trafficking does not exist in Thailand. Everybody is now happy <<< c.f. Gen. Prayuth 11/11/2014

The place was busted on Gen. Prayuth's watch.. I wonder how long it had been operating under Shinawatra watch? There were reports then of the police taking them BACK to receive a payment!

Who knows... but we know it was operating for 6 MONTHS under the generals watch. And they only busted it when a few of the slaves escaped. So what was your point again?

Thailand has been put under a lot of pressure with revelations regarding human trafficking. They had to pull a "we're doing something" story out of the bag. I am not claiming this is not real but this jewellery factory happened to draw the short straw and been the one busted in the full glare of national media.

It is rather like the taxi driver tales which usually follow some horrendous crime story. They are always on the lines of "foreigner leaves 2 million baht in taxi but honest driver hands it in."

I want to read about some GOOD people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYONE out there?????

I want to read about some GOOD people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYONE out there?????

Where have you been the last 6 months??

The current government are "the good people" !!

Thais wouldn't do that! So, who are the foreigners this time?!

Those bloody Burmese, you can never trust them.

I want to read about some GOOD people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYONE out there?????

Where have you been the last 6 months??

The current government are "the good people" !!

Leave me alone, I really hope your comment was in jest, otherwise you are naive.

Thailand has been put under a lot of pressure with revelations regarding human trafficking. They had to pull a "we're doing something" story out of the bag. I am not claiming this is not real but this jewellery factory happened to draw the short straw and been the one busted in the full glare of national media.

It is rather like the taxi driver tales which usually follow some horrendous crime story. They are always on the lines of "foreigner leaves 2 million baht in taxi but honest driver hands it in."

Now there is logic.

someone did not keep up their tea money payments.

ask some thai friends if they consider lao people deserving of equal treatment as thai people

I feel sorry for these kids who were deprived of some of the best years in their life, as well as of the education that would have made their future so much better.

All this because of some ruthless sharks like there are so many in Thailand and all over the world (including in our so-called developped countries).

Most of the evil in Thailand flourishes without fear of the law . Until there is a real police force in this country then the worst aspect of human nature will not be kept in check.

I fear it will not be in my lifetime.

Laotian again, it's always Laotian or Myanmar doing something wrong.

What's the Thai equivalent of the DA's office, or is there one? Seems like there isn't.

never happens here as everyone is so 'happy' what a disgrace!

The poor preying on the poorer.

Hang them high.

The poor preying on the poorer.

Hang them high.

"Poor" gold traders...really?

I note the army was involved again, seems they need to be there to get any action out of the police.

Police? What Police? Where are the Police? What do the Police do?

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Trafficking does not exist in Thailand. Everybody is now happy <<< c.f. Gen. Prayuth 11/11/2014

The place was busted on Gen. Prayuth's watch.. I wonder how long it had been operating under Shinawatra watch? There were reports then of the police taking them BACK to receive a payment!

Serendipity does not abide by politics. The escaping children accidently ran into police. Police didn't discover the operation on their own. Why not? What is Gen. Prayuth and his police actually doing to uncover sweat shops and use of child labor other than making pronouncements of policy?

I think what happens next is the shop owner files criminal defamation suit against the journalists for saying such bad things against them. The judges will then jail the journalists for making thailand look bad...

those damn Laotian children

That is the truth