Landmark 37-year sentence brings justice for Thura*, Zeya*, Htet* and others
Summary:
In a landmark decision, Thailand’s Criminal Court has convicted two Thai nationals for trafficking nine Myanmar nationals to scam compounds in Cambodia, where they were forced to conduct online scams and subjected to severe abuse.
The case involved three friends, Thura*, Zeya* and Htet*, whose story we shared in November 2025.
The survivors were brought to safety in 2021 through a coordinated cross-border effort involving Cambodian authorities, the Myanmar Embassy and IJM teams in Cambodia and Thailand. They were safely repatriated to Myanmar in 2022.
Following their repatriation, several survivors made the courageous decision to return to Thailand to pursue justice. Between 2022 and 2023, five survivors supported ongoing investigations through interviews, suspect sketches and perpetrator identification. Their determination to pursue justice, despite significant personal risk and hardship, was critical in securing this conviction.
The case file was submitted to the Thai public prosecutor in 2024. Two Thai suspects were subsequently arrested in 2025 and formally charged. Throughout the court proceedings, IJM Thailand lawyers served as co-plaintiffs alongside the public prosecutor.
The case concluded in 2026, with both defendants being found guilty of human trafficking. Each was sentenced to 37 years and 6 months in prison. The court also ordered the defendants to jointly pay compensation for five survivors, an important step towards justice, and a clear message that these crimes will not be tolerated.
“Today’s conviction sends an important message that cross-border trafficking networks can and will be held accountable. This outcome is a testament to the courage of the survivors, who chose to pursue justice despite hardship, and to the strong collaboration between governments and partners across the region.” - Andrew Wasuwongse, Country Director, IJM Thailand
Today, the survivors involved in the legal case are living and working in safety. After enduring extreme exploitation, they have rebuilt their lives with stable employment and ongoing support.