Cops shunted over ‘Lao slavery’ case

NAKHON PATHOM: Five police officers have been transferred to inactive posts following the rescue of 13 illegal Lao migrants from an alleged “slavery farm” in the province.

The transfer order was signed on Monday by national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang and took effect immediately, Nakhon Pathom police chief Pol Maj Gen Poj Boonmaphas said.

Pol Col Sunthorn Chokeamnuay, chief of tambon Sam Khway Phuek police, and four other officers — Pol Lt Col Chairat Buakhom, Pol Lt Col Phirawuth Phirawuthphan, Pol Lt Col Sanyaphong Chotethanyaphat, and Pol Maj Natthakit Phuenpathom — were transferred to the Royal Thai Police’s operations centre until further notice, according to Pol Maj Gen Poj.

The officers were transferred because the alleged slavery took place in their area of responsibility.

Police rescued the migrants, aged between 14 and 25, from what was described as “animal cages” at a pig and chicken farm in Nakhon Pathom’s Muang district last Saturday.

An initial probe found the Lao nationals illegally obtained work at the farm via a job broker. But during their two months working as farmhands, they were allegedly treated like slaves and beaten.

They told police they were forced to work for 18 hours a day without pay and go without toilets or showers, while they were not allowed to leave the farm.

The farm is owned by Krung Thai Bank manager Chaidet Sonut. The officers initially charged him with detaining, assaulting and giving shelter to immigrant workers without permission. He denied the charges and will only give testimony in court.

In Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district, police yesterday raided a house where five Myanmar men were found whose passports had expired. The raid followed a tip-off about suspected human trafficking.

Police took the house owner Jaebaka Jaemudo, 30, and the five Myanmar nationals in for questioning.