Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarut Kwansopha, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Department (ATPD), directed the arrest of Mr. Theerapol (also known as Thanapol), 31, and Ms. Aranya, 21, in front of a house in Don Sila, Wiang Chai district, Chiang Rai. They are suspected of luring people with the promise of high salaries as call center agents, only to force them into fraudulent activities in Myanmar.
The suspects are accused of human trafficking, utilizing threats, coercion, deception, and abuse of power to exploit individuals for forced labor or services, effectively enslaving them. They were apprehended outside a residence on Pracha Uthit Road in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district.
Similar charges were brought against Ms. Natnicha, 31, currently detained at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Chatuchak district, Bangkok. In October and November 2023, the Myanmar government, in cooperation with Chinese authorities, conducted operations to dismantle Chinese call center fraud rings in Laukkaing, Myanmar, resulting in the repatriation of 266 Thai victims who had been deceived into working for these scam rings. The victims were screened and segregated under the NRM process.
Pol. Col. Patthanapong Sripinprah, Commander of Sub-Division 2, ATPD, was assigned to investigate the call center group led by Fei Yang. The investigation revealed that 11 individuals were involved, including four Thai recruiters who enticed Thais to work as clerks and answer customer calls, promising salaries of 25,000 to 50,000 baht per month.
Once the victims entered Myanmar, they were arrested and coerced into participating in call center scams, which involved luring victims into romantic relationships and subsequent investment schemes. Police issued warrants for all 11 suspects, leading to their eventual arrest.
Mr. Theerapol, an assistant to Fei Yang, denied the allegations, claiming he was merely an employee at an entertainment center in Laukkaing. He stated he had a romantic relationship with a Chinese man who invited him to live with him and assist with translation, asserting he had no involvement in the call center scam. Ms. Aranya, who acted as a recruiter and posted fake job advertisements to lure Thais into the scam, also denied the allegations. She admitted to using a fake Facebook account to recruit Thais but claimed ignorance of the scam.
Ms. Natnicha, still detained, admitted her role in recruiting Thais for the job but denied knowledge of the forced labor aspect. Following the investigation, all suspects were handed over to the ATPD’s Sub-Division 2 investigators for further legal action.
credit khaosod
