Deal to help Thais’ legal bids in Korea
Thailand will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea on the legal protection of Thai labourers who are embroiled in criminal cases there.
Pitikan Sithidej, director-general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RIPD), said yesterday the agency was scrutinising legal details stipulated in the MoU which would be signed with South Korea’s Ministry of Justice.
The MoU focuses on the provision of legal assistance to Thais, particularly workers, both facing criminal charges or becoming victims in criminal cases in South Korea.
“After examining all details, an MoU draft will be forwarded to Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong for approval this month. The department will try to have the MoU signed by Oct 1 to mark the 60th anniversary of Thai-South Korean diplomatic relations,” she said.
Ms Pitikan said the sooner the MoU was signed the better as Thai labourers would be treated and protected there.
She said this was the first time that both nations have embarked on this kind of bilateral agreement and that it would benefit both Thais and foreigners, especially in the event of physical assaults or murders taking place overseas.
According to the department, more than 50,000 Thais work legally in South Korea while another 100,000 have entered the country illegally.
As for foreigners allegedly involved in criminal cases in Thailand, Ms Pitikan said they would be protected under the Rights and Liberties Protection Act, as well as the Damages for the Injured Person and Compensation and Expense for the Accused in Criminal Cases Act.
Ms Pittikan also said the department earlier embarked on MoUs with 20 universities teaching law in Malaysia.
Under the agreements, Thai and Malaysian students can exchange legal knowledge under an internship programme.
In Thailand, legal assistance has been provided for suspects and victims through the Thai Bar under Royal Patronage.
The department also discussed with Asean member states the provision of legal and rights protection for citizens facing criminal charges, Ms Pitikan said.