Burmese woman arrested by Thai police without just cause

January 29, 2010

WCRP: During the first week of January, 2010, in Kroarad community, Mahachai, Thailand, three plain clothed Thai policemen unwarrantedly arrested a 50-year-old Mon woman for drug procession.

The women explained to Labour Rights Promotion Network (LPN) field officer that she was preparing to go to work when three policemen knocked on her door and arrested her. The woman cannot speak or understand Thai and the officers did not speak Burmese or offer a description of her charges. She also stated that earlier in the day, on two separate occasions, she saw the same officers knocking on her neighbors’ door; which are well known throughout the community for drug distribution. At the time of her arrest the officers were not wearing uniforms.

From the police station the confused woman called her Thai literate son for help. Upon arrival an officer informed her son that his mother was being charged with selling marijuana and her bail was set at 50,000 baht (1,520 USD) and if not paid immediately they would put her in jail. The son returned home in efforts to raise the necessary funds, but without relatives or a support network in Mahachai he was unsuccessful.

“Please help me, don’t let me be alone. Why are they [Thai authorities] making me stay here? I don’t sell drugs; I have never seen any in my life. What ever they said I understand nothing and I was afraid of them.” The woman said, while in Thai custody, to the LPN field officer.

Three days after her arrest the police questioned her without a translator present and coerced her into signing a statement admitting that she was selling drugs. The woman is currently being held in Brohamin jail in Mahachai while she waits for a court hearing.

According to the LPN field officer, cases like this are very common, and LPN often handles incidences of Burmese migrant workers being wrongfully arrested by Thai authorities and then threatened with extortion or jail. LPN is a Thai NGO based in Praek sub-district, Muang district, Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, which focuses on protecting labor rights.

The woman, originally from Lamine Sub-Township, Ye Township, Mon State, migrated to Thailand one year ago. She had migrated to meet her son and escape a jobless market in Burma. During the night she legally works at a prawn factory and during the day her son works at Asia Sea Food Factory.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News