88 suspects in Rohingya human trafficking brought for criminal hearing in Criminal Court today



BANGKOK: -- The police today escorted a total of 88 suspects who included an army lieutenant general, to the Criminal Court this morning for criminal hearing under tight security.

The suspects were the first batch of over 100 suspects to face prosecution for their involvement in human trafficking of Rohingya migrants into the country for settlement in third countries from January 2011- May 2015.

The human trafficking had resulted in the death and injuries of many illegal migrants, according to the state prosecution in filing criminal charges against them in the court today.

Among the suspects who comprised state officials and civilians were Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen, a former army expert in charge of internal security, and a former influential tycoon Patchuban Angchotiphand, or well-known as “Ko Tong”.

The state prosecutors accused them of a conspiracy in deceiving and forcing Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants to leave Myanmar with promises to find jobs for them in Malaysia.

Some had agreed to leave while some were abducted and were taken to jungle detention camps, awaiting to be smuggled out in small boats to board larger ship to continue to Malaysia.

At the border detention camps, they were confined to poor conditioned living quarter with limited food and water, thus resulting in deaths and injuries of many migrants.

The court later set four days, beginning today until November 13 for criminal hearing if any of the suspects will plead guilty or deny the criminal charges before opening the first trial.

Chief police investigator Pol Maj Gen Paveen Pongsirin said the court had issued 153 warrants for the arrest of a total of over 100 suspects.

The suspects brought to court today is the first batch of suspects from a total of 91.

He said 88 suspects had been arrested with the remaining three arrested afterwards.

The three will be prosecuted later, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/88-suspects-in-rohingya-human-trafficking-brought-for-criminal-hearing-in-criminal-court-today


-- Thai PBS 2015-11-10

Let's just hope justice is brought swift and fair to each of them. I only wish the leaders were caught but then, that would really curb that business and bring out more scandals than the current gov can afford I would think. Surely there are higher ups involved in such a lucrative and largely abused trade in Thailand.

It seems that they do not have any of the masterminds, given the size of the operation and how long it lasted.

Impressive that they are not all out on bail.

Let's await further developments.

At least a decade of slavery, And thats all they can find. Not including the ones who left the country already!

88 defendants in one day in courtroom? Must have only been 6 words going on. "How do you plead" and "Not guilty"

Edited November 10, 201510 yr by dcutman

Wondering whats the maximum punishment for human trafficking?

and most importantly WHEN will RTP get hold of the GOD fathers of these human traffickers .

Let's just hope justice is brought swift and fair to each of them.

Not a chance in hell of the former, and I doubt the latter also.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/10/uk-thailand-trafficking-idUKKCN0SZ0CN20151110

That General must have really pissed off some higher- ups to be included in this "cattle call".

That General must have really pissed off some higher- ups to be included in this "cattle call".

Initially the junta was claiming there was no military involvement in human trafficking (a ridiculous claim considering the military presence in the area) and blaming everything on the police and local politicians. I think the RTP charged the general to show that they weren't going to take the fall alone on this one. The junta became much quieter on the subject after one of their own was implicated.

Considering the scale and time this went on, it's certain there are a lot more people involved than 88, and that the general isn't the only high ranking participant. However I don't think any more will be charged, and probably a great many of the 88 will walk.