Phnom Penh (dpa) - An elderly Thai national was in police custody Tuesday after Cambodian authorities allegedly found hundreds of photos of young Cambodian females on his digital camera which they claimed were records of his human trafficking victims.
Police General Cheng Sokom of the Thai border province of Banteay Meanchey said Satam Dem, 80, of Thailand's Samut Sakhon province, was arrested Sunday with five Cambodian females aged between 14 and 23 as they attempted to cross the border into Thailand at Poi Pet.
"An inspection of his camera revealed photos of up to 500 more girls aged from approximately 12 to 20 years, and after initially denying he had visited Cambodia before he admitted he had been here around a dozen times," Sokom said by telephone.
Sokom said police had charged Dem with trafficking after the girls said he had promised them nearly 100 dollars each to come with him and work as laborers and beggars in Thailand.
"We are continuing investigations to find out who else may have helped this man to run this ring and how many girls have been trafficked to Thailand this way," he added.
Under Cambodian law Dem can be held up to six months without trial while investigations continue. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Police General Cheng Sokom of the Thai border province of Banteay Meanchey said Satam Dem, 80, of Thailand's Samut Sakhon province, was arrested Sunday with five Cambodian females aged between 14 and 23 as they attempted to cross the border into Thailand at Poi Pet.
"An inspection of his camera revealed photos of up to 500 more girls aged from approximately 12 to 20 years, and after initially denying he had visited Cambodia before he admitted he had been here around a dozen times," Sokom said by telephone.
Sokom said police had charged Dem with trafficking after the girls said he had promised them nearly 100 dollars each to come with him and work as laborers and beggars in Thailand.
"We are continuing investigations to find out who else may have helped this man to run this ring and how many girls have been trafficked to Thailand this way," he added.
Under Cambodian law Dem can be held up to six months without trial while investigations continue. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
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