Woman convicted of keeping Thai women as sex slaves in Australia
In a chilling case of modern slavery, a 63 year old Sydney woman has been found guilty of keeping two Thai women as sex slaves, forcing them into brothels and stripping them of their freedom.
Rungnapha Kanbut, herself a Thai national, stood trial last month at the Downing Centre Court on six serious charges, including exercising ownership over a slave and dealing with criminal proceeds exceeding 10,000 Australian dollars (approximately 216,000 baht).
On Tuesday, April 1, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts, finally delivering justice in a saga that has shocked Australia’s Thai community and human rights advocates alike.
The court heard harrowing details of how two Thai women, whose identities remain protected for legal reasons, were trafficked into Australia and immediately coerced into sex work.
The women lived with Rungnapha and her husband in Sydney during 2004 and 2005. Upon arrival, Rungnapha seized their passports and saddled them with a fabricated 45,000 Australian dollar debt. She forced them to work in brothels for 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, until their so-called debt was paid.
This week’s verdict comes after Rungnapha was convicted of the same crimes in 2019 and sentenced to more than eight years behind bars. However, in December 2022, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction, citing concerns over the judge’s instructions to the jury regarding Rungnapha’s alleged criminal tendencies.
The retrial was ordered, and Rungnapha was released on bail pending proceedings.
Drama unfolded during the retrial as well, with two jurors discharged in bizarre incidents. One was caught by security attempting to bring a knife into court, claiming it was “to cut up fruit.”
Days later, another juror breached court conduct by persistently trying to chat with the judge’s associate at a social venue.
Despite the disruptions, Judge James Bennett ruled the trial could proceed with the remaining 10 jurors, stating there was “no risk of a substantial miscarriage of justice,” reported Daily Mail UK.
Rungnapha is due to be sentenced on June 13, with advocates calling for a harsh penalty to reflect the gravity of her crimes.
The case highlights ongoing concerns around human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable women under the guise of debt bondage and immigration promises.
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