Thai Trafficking Suspects Face Civil Lawsuit
By Khaosod English

SONGKHLA — Public prosecutors in Thailand are filing civil lawsuits against suspected members of a human trafficking ring in an effort to secure financial compensation for the victims, police say.

"The Attorney-General will file a compensation lawsuit on behalf of the victims," said Pol.Maj.Gen. Phuttichart Ekachan, deputy commander of the Ninth Region Police. "Four separate groups — investigation officers, the Attorney-General, social development officials, and the victims — are in discussion to determine the damages victims suffered, which will be compensated financially."

A total of 77 arrest warrants have been issued this month in connection with human trafficking operations in southern Thailand. Forty-six people, including local businessmen, police officers and politicians, have been detained so far.

The suspects are also being prosecuted for the criminal charges of human trafficking and other "transnational crimes," said Pol.Mag.Gen. Phuttichart.

The officer said 64 of the approximately 300 recently-rescued migrants have been classified as victims of human trafficking. The others are being processed as illegal immigrants.

"The interrogation is almost completed now," he said. "We have only 9 more [victim witnesses] to go."

Police are still looking for a core leader of the human trafficking operation named Piyawat Pongthai, who is believed to have fled abroad, Pol.Maj.Gen. Phuttichart said.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1432626081

-- Khaosod English 2015-05-26

Also murder charges should be added for those graves that were found and a death sentence to follow for the guilty.

And the assets seized from the alleged traffickers are going to the victims??

You see guys? That's the reason why we need the World-Police USA. Otherwise, nothing would change.

"Previously, Thai authorities alerted Myanmar officials about only two suspects wanted under arrest warrants. Those suspects, Suwan and Piyawat Pongthai, turned themselves in to Thai police". ( The Nation).

...so piyawat turned himself in and after that fled abroad?

"Previously, Thai authorities alerted Myanmar officials about only two suspects wanted under arrest warrants. Those suspects, Suwan and Piyawat Pongthai, turned themselves in to Thai police". ( The Nation).

...so piyawat turned himself in and after that fled abroad?

I was going to say the same thing ... maybe it's just the older brother that turned himself in, whilst his younger brother (Suwan, the "mastermind") is the one still in hiding in Malaysia (as he has dual Thai/Malaysian citizenship).

Who knows, Thai reporting is as much a guessing game as "news" or "fact".

And the assets seized from the alleged traffickers are going to the victims??

I should imagine that any assets seized will by now be, umm, liquidated and oh dear, unable to be traced!

I like to see a line-up photo for their maximum loss off face. That to start with.