Case Law Database

Trafficking in persons

Jeerasak or Thong-in Meesang

Fact Summary

The 1st victim learnt from a relative that Mr. Alongkot (last name unknown) had jobs for those who wanted to be waitresses or cleaners in Thai restaurants abroad. The 1st victim then informed the 2nd victim and the 3rd victim about the job. The 4th victim also heard that Mr. Alongkot had jobs for those who were interested to be hostesses in Thai restaurants in Bahrain. Together, they all informed Mr. Alongkot and the defendant that they would like to apply for such jobs. They had been told that they would earn THB 2,000 to 3,000 (approximately USD 60-85) per day and it would cost them THB 150,000 Baht (approximately USD 4,000) before they could go to Bahrain, but that these traveling expenses would be paid for in advance. The defendant and Mr. Alongkot arranged for their visas and air tickets and sent them to board a plane to Bahrain. Once they arrived in Bahrain, they were picked up by two Thai women at the airport. They were taken to a small apartment where the four victims shared a room. The apartment was guarded downstairs so that they could not leave the room. They were then told that they had to work as prostitutes. On 5 November 2006, the 2nd victim secretly called the Thai Embassy informing that they had been kept to work as prostitutes against their will. On 8 November 2006, officials from the Thai Embassy and the local authority rescued the victims from the apartment and sent all four victims back to Thailand on 10 November 2006.

Commentary and Significant Features

The other accomplices are fugitives under arrest warrant. The victims were repatriated to Thailand on 10 November 2006.

Author:
Centre Against International Human Trafficking, Office of the Attorney General

Keywords

Trafficking in Persons Protocol:
Article 5, Trafficking in Persons Protocol
Article 6, Trafficking in Persons Protocol
Article 7, Trafficking in Persons Protocol
Article 8, Trafficking in Persons protocol
Acts:
Recruitment
Transportation
Harbouring
Receipt
Means:
Fraud
Deception
Purpose of Exploitation:
Exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation
Form of Trafficking:
Transnational
Sector in which exploitation takes place:
Commercial sexual exploitation

Cross-Cutting Issues

Liability

... for

• completed offence

... based on

• criminal intention

... as involves

• principal offender(s)

Offending

Details

• occurred across one (or more) international borders (transnationally)

Involved Countries

Bahrain

Thailand

Procedural Information

Legal System:
Civil Law
Latest Court Ruling:
Court of 1st Instance
Type of Proceeding:
Criminal

1st Instance:

Court: Criminal Court of Bangkok

Date of decision: 8 October 2009

Reference: Case No. 3431/2552. Red case No. 119/2552.

 
 

Victims / Plaintiffs in the first instance

Victim:
4 Anonymous
Gender:
Female
Nationality:
Thai

Defendants / Respondents in the first instance

Defendant:
Jeerasak or Thong-in Meesang
Gender:
Male
Nationality:
Thai

Charges / Claims / Decisions

Defendant:
Jeerasak or Thong-in Meesang
Legislation / Statute / Code:
Section 283, 83 Criminal Code; Section 5, 7 (1), Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996)
Charge details:
Sexual exploitation
Verdict:
Guilty
Legislation / Statute / Code:
Section 4, 6(1), 9 para. 1 and 2 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008)
Charge details:
Human Trafficking
Verdict:
Guilty
Term of Imprisonment:
7 years

Court

Criminal Court of Bangkok