Trafficking suspect reveals ‘police bribes’

An arrested trafficker in Myanmar accused local police and defence volunteers of Thailand’s western Kanchanaburi province of taking bribes to facilitate his illegal trade, reports the Bangkok post.

Identified as Win, 30, he was along with seven others in a Bangkok-registered Honda CRV at a military checkpoint on Ban Pu Nam Ron-Muang Kanchanaburi Road in Muang district.

During a video-recorded inquiry conducted after his detention in Ban Kao sub-district, Win claimed that he made routine payments to security officers at every checkpoint he crossed between Kahchanaburi and Suphan Buri.

This is the second time, that such allegations has been levelled against thai security forces. Previously another Myanmar trafficker arrested in December had also made same accusations against officials at the Ban Pu Nam Ron-Htee Ki border checkpoint.

Win revealed his employment under Ju, a Thai businesswoman from Suphan Buri, to whom he sold the smuggled victims in exchange of 6,000 baht each.

He further clarified that the workers crossed into the Thai side of Ban Pu Nam Ron-Htee Ki border checkpoint using a temporary border pass with help from Myanmar human trafficker.

Later, the victims would be picked up by Mon and Karen villagers and travel a mountain road along the Thai-Myanmar border to avoid checkpoint inspections before being dropped off at Moo 2 village in Ban Kao where Win would be waiting with his Honda.

String of bribes

The suspect confessed paying 200 baht per migrant to Tong, a former assistant village chief to pass through a checkpoint set up near the Ban Pu Nam Ron border.

He further confessed paying additional 400 baht each to a police sub-lieutenant identified as Ood to grease his way through Nor Por Por checkpoint and further 400 baht each to a police senior sergeant major nicknamed Mod Dang to clear the Ban Nam Khao checkpoint.

However, he alleged that he was pressed to pay an extra 400 baht for each worker if officers from Provincial Police Region 7 were present at the Ban Nam Khao checkpoint.

Win recalled paying 3,000 baht per trip to a checkpoint controlled by officers from three units under Provincial Police Region 7.

Win confessed regularly smuggling migrant workers in and out of Thailand, some even without passports, and was surprised by his arrest he had bribed officials at every checkpoint he passed.

Checking his story

District chief Sattha Kachaplayook said 12 Mon and Karen accomplices had previously confessed assisting Win. Authorities had recorded their personal information and warned them they would be deported if they get involved in any illegal activity.

Sattha further said Tong, alleged suspects to have links to the trafficking gang, refused to meet him for questioning.

Qouting Tong’s wife, Sattha said that Mon and Karen villagers were giving Tong money to thank him in gratitude for letting them drive past his property.

Soldiers and provincial authorities are collecting evidence to verify Win's allegations, said Sattha.