Team assembled to prosecute alleged human traffickers
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Attorney-General Pongniwat Yuthapanboripan has assigned an 18-strong public prosecutor team to work on the case against the alleged human trafficking syndicate that preyed on Rohingya and other migrant victims.

The team, led by Human Trafficking Case Office director general Peerayut Praditkul, will handle the prosecution of 74 suspects including former Army adviser Lt-General Manas Khongpaen.

They face 16 charges related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Act for the Prevention and Suppression against Participation in Trans-national Organised Criminal Groups.

The evidence examining process for the case is scheduled for November 10.

The case was transferred from Songkhla's Na Thawi Provincial Court to the newly-established Human Trafficking Case Division at the Criminal Court in early October.

The Criminal Court has organised Myanmar Bangladeshi translators to assist in the trial.

Attorney General's Office spokesman Somnuek Siangkong said the office was ready to prosecute human trafficking cases in accordance with government's policy and its status as a national agenda matter.

He said the office would keep the media informed on the case.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Team-assembled-to-prosecute-alleged-human-traffick-30271900.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-30

"prosecution of 74 suspects including former Army adviser Lt-General Manas Khongpaen."

There was also army Captain Wisut Boonnak who belonged to the counterinsurgency agency Internal Security Operations Command and turned himself in to police in September 2015. Will he too be prosecuted?

What’s the status of the arrest of the still unnamed naval officer in January 2015? Since then there has never been mention of any prosecution. It looks like he got a pass.

What about the arrest warrants issued also in September 2015 and still outstanding for navy commander Kampanart Sangthongchin, army colonel Nattasit Maksuwan and army captain Santhat Petchnoi? All three army officers also worked for the Internal Operation Security Command. No progress on their arrests?

Given the number of accused mid-level military officers in the IOSC, investigation should be made into every officer in IOSC spanning at least the last ten years. But that might further impune the military's reputation.