A Krung Thai Bank manager who allegedly subjected 13 Lao workers to slave-like conditions at his Nakhon Pathom pig farm has been jailed after a court revoked his bail.
The court's decision was in response to a police petition last week that called to prohibit his bail because Chaidet Sonut was implicated in a serious crime -- transnational human trafficking.
The 55-year-old banker had been released on bail after his arrest on Aug 22 when police raided his farm in Nakhon Pathom's Muang district and discovered what they described as an "animal cage" holding the 13 farmhands, aged between 14-25 years old.
The 13 workers say they were kept in the cage when not working.
His wife Yupha, who is suspected of being an accomplice in the maltreatment of the workers, also had her bail revoked.
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"The couple are now in Nakhon Prathom prison," said Pol Lt Col Thanee Phukpanich, a police interrogator from Samkwaipuak police station.
They were remanded together with another suspect, Somchai Phakphian, 63.
The three are among six suspects wanted under arrest warrants.
One of three suspects still at large is Amon Inthaphondet, 60, Mr Somchai's Lao wife, Pol Lt Col Thanee said.
Another two suspects are villagers from Ubon Ratchathani, which borders southern Laos, Pol Lt Col Thanee said.
All are accused of involvement in the trafficking of the 13 workers.
Mrs Amon is accused of bringing in Lao workers to Thailand via the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani's Sirinthorn district.
They then stayed at her and Mr Somchai's house before the two unidentified suspects took them to workplaces around the country, according to accounts provided by the rescued workers.
Each worker allegedly had to pay between 3,500 and 5,000 baht to be smuggled into the country, the victims told police.
Investigators have asked the Office of the Attorney-General to work with Lao authorities to search for Mrs Amon.
Mr Somchai, a villager from Ubon Ratchathani, has denied the charges, saying he had no knowledge of his wife's activities, police said.
