Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin has come under fire during the censure debate due to concerns over his qualifications and alleged links to a human trafficking case involving Thai berry pickers in Finland and Sweden during his tenure as Labour Minister.

During the debate, Suchart was targeted by MP Sahassawat Kumkong from the People’s Party, who questioned his qualifications in light of the human trafficking allegations, involving the exploitation of Thai workers picking berries in Finland and Sweden. At the time, Suchart was the Labour Minister.

The allegations of human trafficking are currently being examined by the Department of Special Investigations (DSI). Even though a verdict in the case has yet to be reached, and Suchart’s innocent can still be presumed, Sahassawat argued that PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra must have been aware of the ongoing investigation when she decided to include Suchart in her cabinet and appointed him Deputy Commerce Minister.

He therefore reiterated that in the event Suchart is found guilty, Paetongtarn must be held accountable.

In a heavy-handed response, Suchart denied the allegations against him and said that the case had nothing to do with the PM since she was not in office at the time. He added that the quota for Thai workers sent to pick berries was issued by the Finnish embassy, noting that the Labour Ministry merely acted as an intermediary to ensure that Thai workers did not return with debt.

According to the Deputy Minister, of 3,900 Thai berry pickers, only 30 people encountered problems, reportedly because they were new to the job and had no idea where wild berries were located. He asserted that the Labour Ministry tried its best to help workers with problems.

During his rebuttal, Suchart repeatedly uttered swear words, prompting repeated objections from opposition MPs.

Each year, Thai workers travel to Finland and Sweden to pick berries. Many have ended up in debt to berry companies.  Some have returned empty-handed. Others have reportedly had their passport confiscated and been forced to endure harsh living conditions without proper support from their employers.  Over the past decade, numerous complaints have been filed by Thai berry pickers. Despite this, over a thousand Thai workers are sent to these countries each year.

In 2022, the case sparked controversy in both Thailand and the two Nordic countries. Investigations, begun when Suchart was the Labour Minister, found that he encouraged Thai labourers to work as berry pickers, despite the ongoing controversy over human trafficking.

Referred to court testimony from Finland, Sahassawat claimed that high-ranking Thai officials were involved in a bribery scheme with agents, who recruited Thai workers to be berry pickers. One official allegedly requested a bribe of 3,000 baht per Thai worker.

During the debate, Sahassawat presented images of chat conversations and the alleged bribery box, evidence which was later forwarded to the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission.