The rescue mission in Nakhon Si Thammarat took place after two illegal Cambodian workers, both aged 19, complained to the police of maltreatment at the same shop.

"We were forced to work hard and didn't receive any payment. The shop owner seized our passports and gave us nothing, so we couldn't go anywhere," Khon Suchandee said. An agent in Cambodia told Khon she would earn Bt3,200 a month from the shop owner but she was only paid Bt7,000 after two years of employment, the girl claimed.

"Sometimes the shop owner gave us rotten food," Khon said. She and Porn Sampua managed to run away from shop in Muang district because the owner started to trust them enough to allow them work at the front of the premises.

Following the complaint, the police immediately sought a search warrant from the court to investigate the shop.

The shop owner was identified as Marinee Tantiprapas, 49.

When they investigated the building, the police found a girl working at the shop, who Khon and Porn said was often locked up in a room without food or drink. However, police could not find the other three illegal workers that the two teenage girls claimed were incarcerated within the building.

Marinee claimed that all girls were her husband's relatives from Cambodia but she is yet to back up her claim with any evidence. The police investigation continues.

The Nation

Nakhon Si Thammarat