The first human-trafficking victim to file a civil lawsuit against her traffickers died of cancer before she had the chance to go to court, but her adoptive mother has vowed to continue her fight.

Urairat Soimee died on May 21, without making it to court.

The 38-year-old filed a Bt4.68-million civil lawsuit against three locals from her hometown Lomsak, in Phetchabun, in January.

She had allegedly been lured into prostitution in Japan where she was later jailed for killing her "mama san" (pimp) before being sent back to Thailand after authorities found she was dying of cancer.

In the last stages of the disease, Urairat said her final wish was to live long enough to punish the people who destroyed her life and set the stage for other victims forced into prostitution to take action against human traffickers.

Urairat returned to her family in Phetchabun last September when her condition worsened. In mid-April she was admitted to Bhumiphol Hospital.

Due to her critical condition, Urairat asked the court to postpone the pre-trial hearing, initially scheduled on May 8. But she never had a chance to go to the court because she died on May 19.

"I will fulfil her wish by representing her in the court until the end," said Lamyai Kaewkerd, 65, her adoptive mother.

"She knew she only had a little time left so she assigned me the authority to carry on the case."

Lamyai said the pre-trial hearing would take place on Saturday.

She said: "Urairat and I believe the case will prompt authorities to take serious action against the human-trafficking problem, and address the grievances of the victims," she said.

National Human Rights Commissioner Naiyana Supapueng said despite unfulfilled intentions, Urairat has ably served society.

"She was the first victim willing to share all her bad experiences as a lesson to other women," Naiyana said. "She was so brave."

Urairat's case has alerted the authorities to the problem. The Labour Ministry has taken up her case to warn other people of the potential pitfalls of promised jobs abroad.

She was also the first human-trafficking victim to receive compensation from a fund set up by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. Naiyana said a fund for human-trafficking victims has been set up for a while but no money had ever been paid out because of bureaucratic hurdles. In Urairat's case, almost Bt200,000 was given out in a hurry because of the limited time she had left.

"We are waiting for good news about her court case," Naiyana said.

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot

The Nation