LABOUR RIOT AFTERMATH : Thai workers let off in Taiwanese protest case

LABOUR RIOT AFTERMATH : Thai workers let off in Taiwanese protest case.

Four Thai workers arrested during a chaotic protest by Thai workers in Taiwan two years ago have been acquitted by a Taiwanese lower court. According to Manopchai Vongphakdi, acting director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei, the workers were accused of causing chaos, obstructing law enforcement officers and theft.

They were employees of Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation. On the night of Aug 21, 2005, they allegedly torched a building and battled riot police during a protest over their working and living conditions.

The court in Taiwan's Kaohsiung port city ruled that footage from security cameras could not clearly identify the four workers as arsonists of the torched building.

The workers who have been acquitted are Saranyoo Meemak, Daeng Kaewkong, Phon Muangjan and Suksan Boriboon.

However, Mr Manopchai said the workers have to remain in Taiwan as the case has not reached the Supreme Court. They were acquitted by the lower court only.

The workers continue to work in Kaohsiung as they are not allowed to leave the county, he said.

The Kaohsiung court, at the same time, handed down jail sentences to five executives who had arranged job placements for the workers to run their gambling slot machines, and underground lottery. They were given 30 days to six months

Bangkok Post
Friday January 12, 2007