Reflections on the Ranong Migrant Death Case: One Year Later

On April 9, 2008, 54 individuals from Myanmar suffocated to death in the back of a truck in Ranong, Thailand, while they were being covertly brought into the country. The migrants were in a sealed unit when the vehicle’s ventilation system reportedly failed and the driver abandoned the vehicle on realizing what had happened. In addition to those who perished, 66 others in the truck survived the ordeal. The survivors, who were brought to the attention of Thai authorities, reported that members of the group had paid money to facilitate travel into Thailand, where they intended to work.

Close collaboration between government and NGOs in both Myanmar and Thailand in response to this case has set a milestone in the protection of the rights of Myanmar migrants as the 66 survivors were safely repatriated and the victims’ heirs each received 35,000 baht preliminary compensation from the Office of Insurance Commission under the Traffic Accident Victim Protection Act B.E. 2535. The success of the compensation claim for migrants established that regardless of their ethnic every victim is protected by the Thai law, reflecting the recognition of human rights protection in Thai society.

Nonetheless, the discrepancies between Myanmar and Thai laws, particularly the nationality identity verification of the surviving migrants, and also the heirs of the deceased, remain a major setback in pursuit to prosecute the four defendants who have denied any involvement in the case.

A seminar to mark the one-year anniversary of the tragedy was held on the 20th April to facilitate further dialogue on the protection of migrant rights in order to prevent any repetition of such tragedies. A mechanism for improved humanitarian and legal assistance will help ensure efficiency among partner organizations in future collaboration.