DSI Arrest Myanmarese Foreman Who Tricked Myanmarese Workers

June 1, 2013

DSI were able to catch a Myanmarese foreman who tricked or deceived people from his own country, Myanmar to work in a factory in Kanchanaburi. The workers reportedly received only 80 THB for working 2 weeks. Myanmarese diplomats believe that there are a lot more Myanmarese workers in the area.

BANGKOK – May 31, 2013[PDN]; At the DSI or the Department of Special Investigation Headquarters, a press conference was held after the DSI was able to catch a Myanmarese foreman to deceived his own people to work in Thailand at an extremely low salary. Mr. Tarit Pendit, director-general of the DSI together with Police Lt. Colonel Jatuporn Arunrittawil, Director of the Audit and Law Enforcement Bureau announced to the media that 37 year-old Mrs. Ted Ted Whin, a Myanmarese national was arrested for human trafficking. The DSI was informed by Myanmarese Police forces and the UNIAP that a group of Myanmarese people were deceived or tricked to work in a factory in Kanjanaburi province. The police were also made aware that the Myanmarese workers were also physically assaulted and lived in horrid conditions. Two workers that were trafficked into the factory were able to escape and go back to Myanmar, they then informed the Myanmarese police to help the other workers that held in the factory. The two foremen were actually a Mother-Daughter who were later identified as previously mentioned Mrs. Ted Ted Whin and her daughter Mrs. Whin Tanda Ong. Mrs. Whin Tanda Ong was arrested in Myanmar, whereas her mother, Mrs. Whin Tanda Ong was arrested at the corn factory in Kanjanaburi.

Mr. Tarit continued to say that from the investigations that the DSI made, it was made clear that were indeed Myanmarese workers held in the factory. The DSI immediately created a plan to raid and arrest the foreman at the corn factory. Police were able to help out 8 Myanmarese workers and 1 suspect in the factory raid. 6 more workers were able to be helped out as well. Mrs. Ted Ted Whin confessed her crime and claimed that she did not know that what she did was illegal. She worked with her daughter Mrs. Whin Tanda Ong, who arrested by Myanmarese Police forces earlier. It was known that she deceived the Myanmarese workers and Mrs. Ted Ted Whin received around 10,000 to 15,000 THB for each worker she tricked. The workers were treated horrifically, they were assaulted, detained to continue to work at the factory. They were paid only 80 THB for 2 weeks of work at the factory, which is extremely low.

Police Lt. Colonel Jatuporn also told the media at the press conference that the gang or group who deceived the Myanmarese workers threatened and harmed the workers. He also said that it was known that a worker was once attacked so hard that he had to be treated for over 3 weeks. In an area near the factory, it was found that over 4000-5000 houses were for rent. Making the DSI believe that there are more Myanmarese workers hidden there.

Mr. Naing Htoon, a Myanmarese diplomat admitted that there were several networks that deceive and bring Myanmarese workers to Thailand. He said that it currently is a widespread problem in Myanmar and in Thailand.

Mr. Tarit also announced that the DSI was able to arrest 3 prostitutions places in Saraburi province on May 30th. Which lead to the swift plan and raid of factory, as the networks tend to get information quickly and flee quickly from the police.

Police will now continue to investigate and study the movements of the human trafficking networks. Police believe that there are still a high number of networks in Thailand that bring Myanmarese and other outsiders into the country.