Thailand: "Migrant workers indicted as Thai Prime Minister visits United States"
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday, the same week 14 migrant workers in Thailand will be indicted on charges of criminal defamation and giving false information to public officials...The workers are scheduled to be indicted October 4, 2017, in Don Muang Magistrate's Court in Bangkok....A demonstration in support of the workers is planned for 12:30 p.m. October 4, outside the Thai Embassy in Washington,..The case has received international condemnation as a violation of Thailand’s international legal obligations and Thai business’ obligations to respect human rights under the U.N. Guiding Principles framework. The 14 migrant workers now face up to one and a half years’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to 30,000 Thai baht (US$900). Andy Hall is also facing potential imprisonment of up to 7 years and fines up to 300,000 Thai baht (US$9,000) for alleged criminal defamation and violations under the Computer Crimes Act. “This case must be an urgent priority for the Prime Minister’s office, and for U.S.-Thai relations,” said Abby McGill, Campaigns Director at the International Labor Rights Forum. “Prosecutions against human rights defenders have risen dramatically, and the Thammakaset case is only one example of migrant workers and their advocates being punished for speaking out against abuse...