PHUKET: A key witness in a defamation case won by the beleagured migrant rights activist Andy Hall earlier this week went to police today, claiming his life has been threatened.
The witness, a migrant worker whose testimony is regarded as swinging the case in Hall's favor, had been granted protection and was leading a new life.
Hall and his lawyers believe the people who have been issuing threats somehow managed to track down the man.
''This man's testimony was very important,'' Hall said today.
''Now the British Government has written to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking for an investigation of the threats to his life.''
Finland's Ambassador to Thailand also urged officials to act. Mr Hall was working for the NGO Finnwatch when he coauthored the report on labor conditions that triggered the defamation suits.
Mr Hall said the Department of Special Investigation or the Ministry of Justice now had to provide the man with thorough protection.
''If they can't protect him . . . this is a real test case.''
The Prakanong Court in Bangkok on Wednesday dismissed a case of defamation brought against Hall by a Thai pineapple processing company. Three more cases are pending.
It's alleged that the people intimidating the witness were carrying guns when they attended the court hearing and dropped bullets near the witness and his wife.
The witness, a migrant worker whose testimony is regarded as swinging the case in Hall's favor, had been granted protection and was leading a new life.
Hall and his lawyers believe the people who have been issuing threats somehow managed to track down the man.
''This man's testimony was very important,'' Hall said today.
''Now the British Government has written to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking for an investigation of the threats to his life.''
Finland's Ambassador to Thailand also urged officials to act. Mr Hall was working for the NGO Finnwatch when he coauthored the report on labor conditions that triggered the defamation suits.
Mr Hall said the Department of Special Investigation or the Ministry of Justice now had to provide the man with thorough protection.
''If they can't protect him . . . this is a real test case.''
The Prakanong Court in Bangkok on Wednesday dismissed a case of defamation brought against Hall by a Thai pineapple processing company. Three more cases are pending.
It's alleged that the people intimidating the witness were carrying guns when they attended the court hearing and dropped bullets near the witness and his wife.
Who is making these threats? I ask because the identity of the person or persons making the threats would give an indication as to which group or groups have an interest in the continuation of an event that is damaging the reputation of Thailand. I can't see the average Thai caring one way or the other since the implications of the legal actions have not been fully addressed in the Thai language media. Most Thais are unaware of the case. Is it a shadowy group of ultra nationalists or backers of the military junta or the company itself? I find it hard to believe that the company would do this as surely by now it must understand the damage the court case(s) have done to the company's reputation and the Thai agricultural sector as a whole. Someone, in the industry must have a inkling that keeping this case going could result in boycotts or international sanctions.
Posted by Ryan on November 1, 2014 22:03