Ms. May Lay
Fuentes
In 2016, 14 Myanmar migrant workers (Nan Toe, Nan Win, Myint Aung, Miss. San San, Miss Ka Thwal Soe, Nay Min Min, Miss Kya, Mr. Thu Ya, Miss Wai Wai, Mr. Soe Yong, Miss. May Lay, Mr. Tun Tun Win, Miss. Yin Yin, Mr. Moe) filed a complaint with the Thai National Human Rights Commission, alleging they were subjected to forced labour at Thammakaset 2 farm, which used to supply Betagro. They sought compensation and civil damages for alleged mistreatment. In response to the claim, the owner of Thammakaset 2 filed a defamation lawsuit against the workers and workers' rights advocate Andy Hall in October 2016. Two of the workers have been prosecuted for criminal theft in relation to alleged theft of their time cards from their employer to show 20+ hour work days. On 6 February 2018, the defamation trial commenced in the Don Muang Court. On 15 January 2019, the Supreme Court of Thailand ordered the immediate payment of the 1.7 million Thai Baht (about $52,000) awarded by the Lopburi Department of Labour Protection and Welfare in August to the 14 migrant workers. On 12 March 2019, after an appeal by Thammakaset, the Central Labour Court (also known as the Supreme Labourt Court) issued a statement confirming the payment of the 1.7 million Thai Baht to the 14 migrant workers.