Four arrested for alleged involvement with the trafficking of Rohingyas

[webfact]

Four arrested for alleged involvement with the trafficking of Rohingyas



BANGKOK: -- Three local administration officials of Padang Besar, Songkhla’s Sadao district and one Myanmar man were arrested by police on human trafficking charges for alleged involvement in the smuggling and illegal detention of Rohingya people.

The arrest of the four suspects was announced Monday afternoon at a press conference chaired by the national police chief, Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang.

The four suspects were identified as Arson Inthathanoo, a member of Padang Besar municipality; Ro-ae Sonyalae, assistant headman of Village 8, Tambon Padang Besar; Arlee Lamoh, assistant headman of Village 8, Tambon Padang Besar and a Myanmar man, Saw Niang.

One 9-mm automatic pistol with eight rounds of bullet was seized from one of the suspects.

Four more suspects are also wanted for alleged involvement in the illegal racket.

Pol Gen Somyot said that surviving Rohingyas and some witnesses had implicated the four suspects of involvement in the smuggling of Rohingyas into the country and keeping them at a detention camp on Khao Kaew mountain in Padang Besar.

A dead Rohingya was found in the camp and 25 more bodies were dug out from graves in the detention camp.

Earlier in the morning, the national police chief said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha had show very keen interest in the case and ordered that all people who were involved in the illegal racket must be caught and dealt with in accordance with the law.

The police chief was also told by the prime minister to fly to Songkhla to look into the case closely.

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

Latest report said that the police station chief in Padang Besar was ordered transferred out of the district to Songkhla township.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/four-arrested-for-alleged-involvement-with-the-trafficking-of-rohingyas


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-04

[dogleg]

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

[dcutman]

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

Edited May 4, 2015 by dcutman

[ExPratt]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

"Headman" of the Village, No one in uniform then ?

[chainarong]

No matter how you look at it just what did the Rohingyas do to deserve this from another human being is beyond me , these low life should be flogged till their skin falls from their backs , everybody deserves respect, even in Thailand.

[Pib]

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

After the proverbial stuff hits the fan in the news the camp gets discovered by the police/military. If the complete rabbit trail is investigated (which it won't be) police/military will no doubt be found to be involved also.

[dcutman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

"Headman" of the Village, No one in uniform then ?

The way I read it, out of the four, two were the village Headman's assistance that were arrested. Not sure if they wear uniforms or not, but low level none the less.

[Lite Beer]

Three Thai officials, Myanmar man held over migrant deaths: police

Bangkok, Thaïlande | AFP

BANGKOK: -- Three local Thai officials and a Myanmar national have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after the remains of 26 migrants were found in a mass grave in southern Thailand, police said Monday.


The decomposed bodies of migrants thought to have come from Myanmar or Bangladesh were exhumed over the weekend at an abandoned jungle camp in the Sadao district of Songkhla province.


The discovery of the site, just a few hundred metres from the border with Malaysia, once again exposed the kingdom's central role in the regional human trafficking trade.


Tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority but also increasingly Rohingya from Bangladesh, have made the dangerous sea crossing to southern Thailand, with many bound for Malaysia.


On Monday police said they arrested three local male officials in Songhkla, and were holding a fourth man from Myanmar in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province after his arrest Tuesday.


"One is a member of the local municipal council and the other two are assistant village headmen," said a senior police official, who did not want to be named, of the Thai men arrested, adding that the other man in detention was a Myanmar national.


He also said a further four arrest warrants had been issued in connection with the mass grave but gave no more details.


Nakhon Sri Thammarat deputy police commander Anuchon Chamart said the Myanmar national -- Soe Naing, known as Anwar -- was a "central figure who ran camps and sought ransoms" in a major people-smuggling operation.


"He was involved with smuggling Rohingya from Myanmar through Thailand to Indonesia and Malaysia," Anuchon told AFP.


He added that Anwar was also being investigated for fraud based on allegations he failed to release a trafficked Rohingya migrant, who has not yet been traced, after accepting a ransom of 95,000 baht ($2,850)


Thailand's border zone with Malaysia is criss-crossed by trafficking trails and is notorious for its network of secret camps where smuggled migrants are held, usually against their will, until relatives pay hefty ransoms.


Thai police said Sunday they are searching for other camps following the discovery of the mass grave, with dozens of other people-smuggling sites believed to be based in the area.


The exodus of Rohingya -- described by the UN as one of the world's most persecuted minorities -- has followed deadly communal unrest in western Myanmar's Rakhine state since 2012.


Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh have also been kidnapped and trafficked to Thailand, after being duped with fake job offers or even drugged.


Thailand says it is cracking down on trafficking networks on its soil after revelations that government officers, police and navy officials have been involved in the lucrative trade in humans fleeing poverty and persecution.

-- © Copyright AFP 2015-05-04

[webfact]

SONGKHLA
Migrant graveyard arrests
THE NATION


An illegal migrant, one of four found alive near a mass grave in an area bordering Malaysia, eats a snack while being treated at Padang Besar Hospital in Songkhla

4 suspects held, 4 sought; Satun police chief among senior officers transferred

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL police chief said yesterday that the head of Satun police will be suspended from duty in connection with the ongoing investigation into human traffickers active near the southern border.

National police commissioner General Somyot Poompanmoung said that a team of investigators led by his deputy General Aek Angsananont had suggested a transfer of Police Maj-General Sunthorn Chalermkiat, who is chief of the Satun police, to an inactive post at Royal Thai Police headquarters.

Somyot said this was because Sunthorn has close ties with a suspected leader of the trafficking ring.

The national police chief said he would also transfer the five most senior officers at Padang Besar police station in Songkhla, including the superintendent, out of their current jurisdiction. That was in addition to seven more police in Padang Besar suspected of getting bribes from traffickers.

Yesterday, Pol Second Lieutenant Aree Mansaman and Pol Snr Sgt-Major Assaneeran Nuanrod were transferred out of Padang Besar to facilitate a probe against them. The campsite is in the station's jurisdiction.

The authorities have arrested four of the eight suspects wanted in connection with an alleged extortion and murder camp in Thailand's southern border province of Songkhla.

In custody are Asan Intanu, 48, Ro-aey Sonyalae, 41, Alee Lahmoh, 47, and Soe Naing Arnua (Anwar), 40.

Still on the run are Prasit Lemleh, deputy mayor of the Padang Besar Municipality, Yalee Krem, village head of Moo 8 Ban Taloh, Pakphon Benlateh, and Charoen Thongdaeng.

All eight have been charged with human trafficking, illegal detention and seeking ransom money.

Authorities have taken action against them after 26 bodies were exhumed on Saturday from a mass graveyard in a border zone in Songkhla's Sadao district.

At least one witness has said murders took place at a nearby border campsite where hundreds of migrants had been held.

It is believed that the bodies in the graveyard came from the camp.

The four arrested suspects, however, have denied any role in illegal detention, extortion and human trafficking. Asan has admitted only to having a gun and ammunition in his possession illegally.

Somyot said police were urgently gathering evidence and would bring all the culprits to justice, even if they were government officials or politicians.

"If evidence suggests they might have been involved, we will arrest them," he said.

He added that police were preparing to seek arrest warrants for four more suspects.

One of the 26 bodies from the graveyard was a female, Somyot said.

He said that judging by the fact that some bodies had been interred recently while others had long been buried, it was possible that the camp had been operating for a long time.

Provincial Police Region 8 deputy commissioner Maj-General Somchai Nittayabavornkul said local policemen had engaged in the trafficking of Rohingya.

"These policemen have been arrested and prosecuted. It's just that their cases have not appeared in news reports," he said before he attended a meeting with Deputy Defence Minister and Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr on how to tackle and prevent the trafficking of Rohingya.

During the meeting in Ranong, Udomdej said officials involved in the trafficking of Rohingya people into Thailand would face decisive legal action.

He instructed relevant state agencies to prepare a list of suspects involved with traffickers who smuggled Rohingya and other "boat people" into Thailand.

Udomdej, who is also deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), admitted that the trafficking network in Ranong was "not a small movement because they have been active for some time".

Somyot said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had directly instructed him to work closely with Udomdej to initiate a fast crackdown on human-trafficking gangs that had caused severe damage to Thailand's reputation.

Ranong has been a key entry point for illegal migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Grisada Boonrach, head of the Department of Provincial Administration, said he ordered the village headman and two assistants be suspended over their alleged involvement in trafficking in the border area. The suspension is effective from today.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Migrant-graveyard-arrests-30259335.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-05

[NongKhaiKid]

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

Exactly, backs to the wall because of very adverse publicity so a couple of arrests, press conference and " look we are doing something. "

All sorted.

[JAG]

The Police Chief said that local policemen had been involved.

"These Policemen have been arrested and prosecuted, It's just that their cases have not appeared in news reports."

Yeah, right. A massive case of international slave trafficking, involving hundreds being held in jungle camps for sustained periods, dozens of deaths, and the news media didn't bother to report the prosecution of police responsible?

Pull the other one, , it's got bells on!

[Manbing]

Only 4?

Is that all it takes to run an international kidnapping scam.

We need a man with a certain set of skills on the job, A man who will hunt them all down, and find, and then kill them.

Where is Liam Neeson when you need him?

[oneday]

It's a beginning.

Let's hope the momentum keeps going and more of these disgusting criminals are caught.

[alant]

Can some one please explain why these migrant Rohingya come to Thailand from Bangladesh ( a fair old trip) and Burma? Is it they are travelling overland?

Have the stories of the possible dangers of going via Thailand to get to Malaysia not made it to these poor people?

Terrible event.

[AGareth2]

4 nobodies!

[recom273]

Another oh, really ?

So while the British press sends camera crews to produces TV documentaries on the camps holding trafficked Rohingyas in the back of one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand.

The police and army still claim don't know about this ? Another senior officer sent to an inactive post, disgusting - I guess these people will never address the real issues in their society.

Finger on the pulse of the people .. More like thumb up y'r backside mr prime minister.

[Suffinator]

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

How did he know that the camp had existed for a long time when he declares that the police and military only just discovered it. I've heard some BS but what do you expect from a country bathed in corruption where morality doesn't exist.

Latest report said that the police station chief in Padang Besar was ordered transferred out of the district to Songkhla township.

Why transferred? They must suspect or have some evidence he was complicit. Once again protecting their own.

Interesting to see that the so-called officials were merely village heads; so in other words complete nobody's ... where are the real perpetrators? No doubt being protected by the rank and file.

We can only hope and pray that the international press will continue digging and shame this country. We should all be hoping that the UN takes measures in the form of sanctions ... it's time to bring this country to its knees and make it learn the hard way that their disgusting lack of human rights is abhorrent. I fail to see why any foreigner would want to either live or visit such a country where life doesn't mean anything.

[kevin2852]

Am I the only one who has problems with a " detention Camp " set up within a couple of hundred metres of a patrolled border " for some time " before being discovered ? Uniforms had to know all about it and even though, there is no corruption in Thailand, any rational person can see that someone was being paid to patrol around the camp.

[kevin2852]

Am I the only one who has problems with a " detention Camp " set up within a couple of hundred metres of a patrolled border " for some time " before being discovered ? Uniforms had to know all about it and even though, there is no corruption in Thailand, any rational person can see that someone was being paid to patrol around the camp.

[recom273]

Can some one please explain why these migrant Rohingya come to Thailand from Bangladesh ( a fair old trip) and Burma? Is it they are travelling overland?

Have the stories of the possible dangers of going via Thailand to get to Malaysia not made it to these poor people?

Terrible event.

As far as I know, these people originate from Bangladesh - they are a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar - there have been some pretty horrific reports.

They appear so desperate to escape they will jump into the hands of Thai smugglers who appear to ship them from Myanmar to transit camps on tarutao national park and then across land to the Malaysian border where they hope to find a better life in a Muslim country.

It appears as in many similar situations around the world, it's not a straight forward business transaction, once on the roller coaster the victims can be sold into slavery on fishing boats or held ransom until relatives in Malaysia pay up, even this isn't a guarantee of getting their family members back.

There was a bbc ( I think ) documentary which I guess you can find on YouTube, this must be just the tip of the iceberg, for sure there are similar mass graves in Ko Andang.

[godden]

My question is, what will the Thais not do for money?

[Lupatria]

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

Is this guy employed as a comedian? The police was well aware of what is going on for a long time and they discovered nothing! The scandal only came to light after someone escaped and filed (ironically) a police report. Only then the cops realized this case is a bit too much to be swept even under their high-rise carpet.

I find it also scandalous that the clowns in the pic below (the self announced guardians of morality) keep quiet about one of the worst sides of moral failures in this country. Is it because they don’t know yet how many untouchables are involved? Or is it because they still hope there is no Thai involved because that would not fit in their understanding of being the hub of sky high moral standards?

I'm still waiting for their statement...

[gemguy]

It's a beginning.

Let's hope the momentum keeps going and more of these disgusting criminals are caught.

Yes of course...some justice will be served

However when it moves up the scale and begins to expose individuals profiting from the affair, but not getting their hands dirty, and or somehow interconnected with the current political administration, then you will see the news reports fade away somewhat quickly.

Then a similar affair will surface somewhere else in the region as there is just too much money involved ( although not that much, but big enough ) while the perpetrators are opportunistic parasites in a relatively poor region of Thailand where money talks and people with Authority and guns to back up their authority can operate with impunity....or near impunity while they seemingly do not fear the laws...because they are the law itself often enough.

If you look up the subject matter and read many articles about the situation having developed in that region of Thailand you begin to easily understand how such heinous affairs and crimes of humanity can actually occur....although never acceptable and needing to be dealt with in a harsh way itself to correct the situation.

In the end it will not stop some people from profiting from the human trafficking that is rife in the area because of persecuted minorities that are trying to escape Burma and flee to Thailand in hopes of a better life.

The Thai people involved are amongst many nationals from many other countries around the world with similar situations evolving where there is money to be made by way of the plight suffered by other people.

It is history repeating itself ...but too close for comfort ...in this case.

Cheers

[jackanapes]

I am glad to see a very quick result on this case and the local police station chief has been transferred ?

[animatic]

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

Exactly, backs to the wall because of very adverse publicity so a couple of arrests, press conference and " look we are doing something. "

All sorted.

Then again, these arrested guys were all likely involved directly,

and the head officers at least tacitly via kickbacks to keep quiet.

And of course they are the easiest to see being involved and easiest to find.

Locking them up, moving out, and / or replacing with new people, quickly cuts off the

chain of control the smugglers enjoyed. How far up the food chain kickbacks went

is another issue, usually a small percentage of any graft goes several levels up,

but that doesn't mean those several levels up know everything their sub-underlings do to earn.

Village headmen wear uniforms too, most any Thai of any position is a uniformed person,

even the head of a Post office branch is a uniformed person.

Certainly this is a LARGE, long term operation, and must go up a few levels to keep regional control

even handed and organized. Which explains why Pedang Besar AND Satun officers are getting

shipped off to isolated positions at home office. The guys on the ground who would have to

know about the camp or be utterly incompetent, are getting locked up, those who would likely

have known something was up and turned a blind eye are being isolated.

Not to mention moving out the people likely in the chain but unproven,

makes it far harder for those of lower levels who KNOW they are involved

to suddenly turn up dead....

26 dead bodies, so far, is mass murder at a high level, and world wide publicity,

they have to do something, there is too much cat out of the bag.

Edited May 5, 2015 by animatic

[Tanlic]

Funny when a headman of a certain island...............according to many on here.....is so big and powerful he could cover up the most publicized murder in decades and have the blame switched elsewhere

BUT according to some of the same this headman is a nobody.

What a pathetic bunch of sweetie wives.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Tanlic

[SOTIRIOS]

...barbarians....and cowards.....preying on the defenseless....

...human right.....???

[JAG]

Thats great, got the mandatory arrests of some level nobodies. Problems solved, kill this story and move on.

Exactly, backs to the wall because of very adverse publicity so a couple of arrests, press conference and " look we are doing something. "

All sorted.

Then again, these arrested guys were all likely involved directly,

and the head officers at least tacitly via kickbacks to keep quiet.

And of course they are the easiest to see being involved and easiest to find.

Locking them up, moving out, and / or replacing with new people, quickly cuts off the

chain of control the smugglers enjoyed. How far up the food chain kickbacks went

is another issue, usually a small percentage of any graft goes several levels up,

but that doesn't mean those several levels up know everything their sub-underlings do to earn.

Village headmen wear uniforms too, most any Thai of any position is a uniformed person,

even the head of a Post office branch is a uniformed person.

Certainly this is a LARGE, long term operation, and must go up a few levels to keep regional control

even handed and organized. Which explains why Pedang Besar AND Satun officers are getting

shipped off to isolated positions at home office. The guys on the ground who would have to

know about the camp or be utterly incompetent, are getting locked up, those who would likely

have known something was up and turned a blind eye are being isolated.

Not to mention moving out the people likely in the chain but unproven,

makes it far harder for those of lower levels who KNOW they are involved

to suddenly turn up dead....

26 dead bodies, so far, is mass murder at a high level, and world wide publicity,

they have to do something, there is too much cat out of the bag.

You're right, they have to do something.

But what they are doing, or are claiming to be doing. is little more than letting the cat wander around for a bit, before stuffing it back into the bag at the first opportunity.

If International attention is not kept up, and backed up with the threat of sanctions which will hurt, then nothing will really change.

[Thaddeus]

He said that the detention camp had existed for quite a long time before it was only recently discovered by police and military forces.

How did he know that the camp had existed for a long time when he declares that the police and military only just discovered it. I've heard some BS but what do you expect from a country bathed in corruption where morality doesn't exist.

Standard practice.

If the first lie doesn't work, tell a bigger one.

[fareastguy]

Why not transfer them into prison.. instead of some other position??