DSI integrates its operation to rescue Thai women lured into forced labour in Laos

DSI integrates its operation to rescue Thai women lured into forced labour in Laos

       Following the government’s policy on the fight against human trafficking and its priority to resolve the problems of human trafficking, the Department of Special Investigation, as a law enforcement agency with duties to prevent and suppress human trafficking crime, has continuously driven its work according to the policy on prevention and suppression of human trafficking and taken proactive measures and strictly enforced laws against human traffickers.

       The DSI received a notification from the Alliance Anti-Trafic (AAT) requesting the DSI to urgently rescue 3 Thai females, who were being lured by the broker into forced labour, intimidation, confinement, false imprisonment and forced to pay debt, at the Pao Yi Er Tang Building in Ban Ton Phueng, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Bokeo Province of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR). The crime commission is transnational crime with networks, both at domestic and international levels, which is likely to be the offence of human trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, B.E. 2551 (2008) (the DSI’s Investigation Case No. 268/2564)

       The Director-General of the DSI Mr. Triyarith Temahivong and his deputy director-general Pol.Lt.Col. Supat Thamthanarug ordered the Director of Human Trafficking Crime Bureau Pol.Maj. Siriwish Chantechasitkul to assign his deputy director Pol.Maj. Arit Tatsaphan and the Head of Human Trafficking Crime Division 2 Pol.Lt.Col. Parinya Kritsana and the special case inquiry official team to quickly travel to the area for rescue by integrating work with the Governor of Chiang Rai Province, administration agencies in Chiang Rai Province, Chiang Rai Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Internal Security Operations Command Chiang Rai Province, the Royal Thai Navy’s Mekong Riverine Unit in Chiang Rai Province, Chaing Rai Provincial Immigration Office, Chiang Saen Police Station, Chiang Khong Immigration Office and other related agencies. Besides, coordination for international cooperation with the Governor of Bokeo Province, LPDR and the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane was arranged for urgently rescuing the victims. From continuity of coordination and following the international procedure and protocol, on December 23, 2021, 3 victims were safely rescued and completely repatriated to Thailand via the permanent crossing point called the 4^th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Khong–Huay Sai).

       However, due to the pandemic situation of Covid-19 in Laos, the 3 victims were physically examined. It was found that 1 of them infected Covid-19, she therefore was sent to get treatment in Chiangkhong Crown Prince Hospital under measures for Covid-19 infection prevention and control. For the non-infected Covid-19 2 victims, they were put in quarantine at a hotel in Chiang Rai Province according to the screening procedure. The DSI will work with interdisciplinary officials to identify the victims of human trafficking.

       The DSI wishes to warn the public not to be fooled by advertisements for jobs offering high income in foreign countries because they can become the victims of human traffickers and forced labour or services. If the public has any information or clues related to human trafficking, please inform the DSI at its address no. 128 Chaengwattana Road, Thung Song Hong Subdistrict, Lak Si District, Bangkok or its Hotline 1202 (Free call national-wide), the DSI will kept informant’s information confidentially.

Dated December 24, 2021