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Trafficking Victim Turned Activist Dies of Cancer in Thailand

June 11, 2006

Urairat Soimee, who was lured into the flesh trade in Japan and later became an award-winning activist against human trafficking, died in Bangkok from ovarian cancer. She was 38. Urairat lost her eight-month battle with cancer and died at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital. ¹ Funeral rites will be held at Wat Kosa in her home town in Lom Sak district, Phetchabun. 

She grabbed media attention after filing a civil lawsuit against three fellow villagers for luring her into prostitution in Japan in 2000, seeking 4.6 million baht in compensation. The villagers duped her into going to Japan, promising her work in a Thai restaurant which never existed. Once there, she was forced to work in brothels.

Later, Urairat murdered her ‘mamasan’ and served five years in a Japanese prison before being released. Shortly after her return to Thailand, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Urairat spoke out against human trafficking and led a campaign urging other victims to step forward and make sure justice is done. She earned an award as an outstanding woman who defended her own basic rights.

The award was granted by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry in March 2006 to celebrate International Women's Day. Urairat said human trafficking posed a serious threat to social security.

''My wish is for the government and all sides to get tough with human trafficking rackets, the same way it suppresses drugs. I want my last wish to be fulfilled. It is not only a gift for me, but also for women in general because they shouldn't live through a hellish experience like I have,'' she said. Urairat is survived by her disabled husband and three children.

¹ Adapted from: ‘Urairat dies of cancer, aged 38’, Bangkok Post, 20 May 2006.