Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

[webfact]

Thailand indicts 72 human trafficking suspects ahead of U.S. report
BANGKOK | BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- Thailand on Friday indicted 72 people suspected of involvement in human trafficking, just days before the United States issues its latest assessment of the country's anti-trafficking efforts next week.

Bangkok launched a sweeping investigation into human trafficking in May after the discovery of 26 bodies in graves buried deep in a jungle near the Thailand-Malaysia border.

The clampdown triggered a regional migrant crisis because it prompted criminals to abandon boats crammed with thousands of migrants at sea, rather than risk landing on Thai shores.

The investigation was the "biggest into human trafficking" in Thailand's history, deputy national police chief Aek Angsananont said.

Police said they have so far arrested 72 people and issued arrest warrants for 45 more.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/24/us-thailand-trafficking-idUSKCN0PY0FK20150724


-- Reuters 2015-07-24

[somo]

The investigation was the "biggest into human trafficking" in Thailand's history

That's because it was also the first.

The arrests are a bit late in the day to influence the report which will have been wriiten already but at least something is happening.

[webfact]

ROHINGYA
Thai general among 72 indicted over human trafficking

BANGKOK - Thailand on Friday said it would indict 72 people including a senior army officer over human trafficking after the plight of desperate Myanmar and Bangladesh migrants stranded at sea triggered an international outcry over the grim trade.

The move comes after vast people-smuggling networks unravelled in May when thousands of migrants were abandoned in open waters and jungle camps by traffickers following a Thai crackdown, a crisis that eventually forced a Southeast Asia-wide response.

Thailand has long been accused of ignoring official complicity in the multi-million dollar trade which had until recent months flourished through its southern provinces and onto Malaysia -- the desired destination of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.

A spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Thailand said on Friday it had issued an order to indict 72 people charged on 16 counts mostly over human trafficking, including more than a dozen state officials of all levels.

"We will not let influential people rise above justice," Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

The charges include human trafficking, involvement in international crimes, taking and bringing illegal migrants and malfeasance.

"The OAG has given priority to the issue -- as it is a big group of people involving international systems. It has caused a lot of damage to the country as dead bodies were found," Wanchai said, referencing the grisly discovery of dozens of migrant graves in abandoned traffickers’ camps along the border with Malaysia that sparked the trafficking crackdown.

- Dozens of suspects at large -

===============================

A court in southern Songkhla province, where the graves were found, will formally process the indictments later Friday.

Among the suspects is Lieutenant General Manas Kongpan, charged with being a major smuggling kingpin in the lucrative trade.

His alleged involvement raises awkward questions for junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has repeatedly justified his coup last year as a much-needed antidote to graft that he says flourished under a series of elected civilian governments.

Manas was promoted while Prayut was army chief.

He remains the only military officer charged with complicity in people smuggling, an issue that has raised eyebrows among rights groups who say it is unlikely such an influential officer would have acted alone.

None of the suspects will be bailed, Wanchai added, while a further 47 suspects -- mostly Thais but also including Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals -- are still on the run.

Around 4,500 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants were stranded in Southeast Asian waters in recent months, ping-ponged between countries reluctant to accept them until finally landing ashore on Malaysian, Indonesian, Bangladeshi, Myanmar and Thai soil.

In recent years tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled Myanmar’s western Rakhine state where they are loathed by the Buddhist majority. Many Rohingya live in bleak camps with restrictions over employment and travel.

They have increasingly been joined on the perilous sea crossing through the Andaman Sea by economic migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh seeking better opportunities in Malaysia.

Thai police say they have now successfully dismantled the trafficking network through the kingdom.

But rights groups are waiting for the end of the monsoon season in a few months to see if boats again set sail south from Myanmar and Bangladesh or if new trafficking routes emerge.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-general-among-72-indicted-over-human-traffick-30265138.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-24

[webfact]

Human trafficking gang prosecuted in southern court



SONGKHLA: -- A total of 72 suspects in the trafficking of Rohingya illegal migrants into the country from Myanmar faced prosecution in the Nathawi provincial court in Songkhla province today.

The suspects included Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen, an Army senior expert.

Of the 72 suspects prosecuted in the court by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) are four police officers. Others are local government authorities, district officials, and civilians.

OAG spokesman Wanchai Rujanawong said 16 counts of charges were filed against these suspects. They included conspiracy in human trafficking, collaboration with international trafficking gangs to smuggle Rohingya migrants into the kingdom, malfeasance in office.

The attorney general also asked the court not to grant bails for these suspects as the crimes they committed are serious and carrying penalties.

Earlier Padang Besar police charged 120 suspects but only 72 were arrested. One suspect was dropped from prosecution after he died.

47 suspects are still on the run but the attorney general agreed to prosecute 32 of them, comprising 24 Thais, five Myanmar’s and three Bangladeshi.

For suspects who have fled abroad, the OAG is working Iclosely with the Royal Thai Police to seek their extradition back to the country for trial.

The spokesman said that for 15 suspects who the OAG decided not to prosecute them, it will ask the police to investigate and find more evidence that could live k them to human trafficking as it believed more people were involved.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/human-trafficking-gang-prosecuted-in-southern-court


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-24

[tso310]

Lets hope its the ringleaders and not the minions that are arrested and hopefully convicted.

[webfact]

More than 100 suspects face Thai human trafficking charges
THANYARAT DOKSONE, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's state prosecutors recommended charges against more than 100 people, including a Thai army general, in a multinational human trafficking scandal that came to light after dozens of bodies were discovered in the country's south earlier this year, a spokesman said Friday.

Ninety-one Thais, nine Myanmar nationals and four Bangladeshis face 16 charges, including human trafficking, partaking in a transnational crime network, and assisting or bringing in aliens into the kingdom illegally, Office of the Attorney General spokesman Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters.

"The investigation showed it is a big syndicate. There were networks that brought them (the migrants) from overseas into the country systematically," he said. "There were a lot of damages. Bodies were found. Senior officials were accused, as well as influential figures. The Office of the Attorney General, therefore, treats it as a very important case."

He said provincial prosecutors have pressed charges against 72 arrested suspects and were waiting to proceed with 32 others who remained at large.

The sweeping investigation, in which 15 Thai state officials were implicated, came after 36 bodies, believed to be migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, were exhumed from various abandoned jungle camps near the Thai-Malaysian border in May.

The discovery has intensified international pressure on Thailand to crack down on smugglers. More than 50 people were arrested in a month, including local politicians, government officials, police, and a senior-ranking army officer who once oversaw human trafficking issues in the country's south. About 50 police officers in the southern provinces were removed from their posts and investigated for possible involvement in trafficking syndicates.

The 15 state officials, including Lt. Gen. Manas Kongpaen, four policemen, a powerful provincial mayor and local politicians, will also face charges of negligence of their duty, according to the spokesman.

Human rights groups have long accused Thai authorities of collusion in the trafficking industry, but officials have routinely denied the claims.

Wanchai said charges have not been presses against other 15 suspects as recommended by the police, but additional investigations have been ordered.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-24

[Tywais]

"It has caused a lot of damage to the country as dead bodies were found,"

As opposed to actually doing the right thing regardless? Their priorities need addressing.

[clockman]

One military!!!!!!!!! rubbish. another Thai cover up. A decade of abuse and slavery. Police, Military, government, Not enough jails in Thailand to contain the amount of people involved!

[ChrisY1]

Manas' interrogation must have revealed many other high ranking persons involved in trafficking.......!

It's not good enough!

[BigBadGeordie]

I think this is excellent "spin" by the OAG and the Junta. Releasing this news today will ensure it is in the national and international press over the weekend prior to the release of the TIP report on Monday.

Therefore, irrespective of the content of the report the Junta can take the "that was then, this is now" stance, "look how well we are doing, it was all down to those bad people in power prior to us rescuing Thailand".

[Thai at Heart]

So an army general. Lovely....

[cloudhopper]

Interesting to note that the US last week upgraded Malaysia, a worse offender than Thailand (according to them) to tier 2. However there is speculation that was due entirely to Malaysia being a party to the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, which specifically excludes nations unless they have made "significant progress" in human trafficking. So it will be interesting to see what happens to Thailand, which is not currently a party to the TPP.

[upena]

Thai government pretending to care again

[Srikcir]

Manas' interrogation must have revealed many other high ranking persons involved in trafficking.......!

It's not good enough!

Agreed.

Who ever heard of a "ringleader" without a ring?

[robertthebruce]

Shocking...

how could people do this to other people...

[Emster23]

"We will not let influential people rise above justice," Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

Then bent over in fits of laughter....

[BuaBS]

Interesting to note that the US last week upgraded Malaysia, a worse offender than Thailand (according to them) to tier 2. However there is speculation that was due entirely to Malaysia being a party to the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, which specifically excludes nations unless they have made "significant progress" in human trafficking. So it will be interesting to see what happens to Thailand, which is not currently a party to the TPP.

Yeap , that is Thailand's mistake : not being a part of TPP. Malaysia get absolution of their "traficking sins":

http://www.silverdoctors.com/to-pass-tpp-u-s-state-dept-upgrades-malaysias-human-trafficking-ranking-despite-discovery-of-mass-graves/#more-56024

[wabothai]

A ploy again to mislead in order to safe face. Land of deception.

[metisdead]

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed.

[brucec64]

"We will not let influential people rise above justice," Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

Then bent over in fits of laughter....

And then refused to take a breathelyzer test...

[bamnutsak]

The U.S. TIP report isn't due until 9:00 PM on Monday (local Bangkok time). Why the rush?

[Oziex1]

Manas' interrogation must have revealed many other high ranking persons involved in trafficking.......!

It's not good enough!

Chris come on mate they don't need interrogations, they know who and how many, all of them up top share the spoils of the big money making crimes.

[Lupatria]

"We will not let influential people rise above justice," Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

That would be a premiere in Thailand.

Looks like he missed the chance to have a little chat about this subject with the Bangkok police chief

An indictment towards a rich, high ranking officer, official, TV-celebrity, politician or influential individual means what in LOS?

An entry in their diary: “shitake, they caught me again.” Nothing to worry about, I’m Thai, so they will handle it Thai style.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Lupatria

[nithisa78]

The investigation was the "biggest into human trafficking" in Thailand's history

That's because it was also the first.

The arrests are a bit late in the day to influence the report which will have been wriiten already but at least something is happening.

You're a real bundle of encouragement and appreciation. How are things at old lady school? The other students?

[nithisa78]

"We will not let influential people rise above justice," Wanchai Roujanavong told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

That would be a premiere in Thailand.

Looks like he missed the chance to have a little chat about this subject with the Bangkok police chief

An indictment towards a rich, high ranking officer, official, TV-celebrity, politician or influential individual means what in LOS?

An entry in their diary: “shitake, they caught me again.” Nothing to worry about, I’m Thai, so they will handle it Thai style.

No, No, No, old woman. It is the ruling class. Them not you. They like most others, lives are better than yours. The end. Live with it.

[Happy Grumpy]

The clampdown triggered a regional migrant crisis because it prompted criminals to abandon boats crammed with thousands of migrants at sea, rather than risk landing on Thai shores.

So basically what the Royal Thai Navy did in December 2008 when it towed 1000 men, women and children out to sea, then set them adrift to die with no food or water.

Yes, the Royal Thai Navy.

Yes, 1000 men, women and children.

[arrowsdawdle]

Lets hope its the ringleaders and not the minions that are arrested and hopefully convicted.

Not a chance. Wouldn't be surprising if trafficked victims on the boats are being given a way off the boats by signing a confession that they are traffickers. Jail couldn't be any worse and they wouldn't have to work.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Thai government pretending to care again

United States pretending to care too. A lot of countries missing from their "tier 3" list because America looks after their own interests.