On November 19, 2024, the network of Thai berry pickers who had worked in Sweden and Finland was among the nine recipients of the annual awards from the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. The network was awarded for their excellent work on defending rights for vulnerable groups.
Oranuch Phonphinyo, coordinator of the worker network, said, “I’m very happy and very pleased that light has been shed on our struggles, especially when it comes to human trafficking. The issue of berry picking workers has come a long way. Now, a union for migrant workers has been founded to help those traveling abroad to find work, most of whom come from Isaan. This award means a great deal for me to keep going,” she said.
The awards are for individuals or organizations that excel in supporting, protecting, and safeguarding human rights. The aim of the awards is to commend their work and boost the morale of human rights defenders in many different fields.
The winners of the 2023-2024 awards are as follows.
Individuals/groups: Civil rights and political rights
- Ekkachai Issarata, Khao Kuha Community Rights Protection Network, Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province
- Pattaya Ruenkaew, independent researcher and scholar
Individuals/groups: Economic, social and cultural rights
- Somboon Kamhaeng, president of the NGO Coordinating Committee on Development (NGO-COD)
- Nitithorn Thongthirakul, singer
Individuals/groups: Rights of people in vulnerable groups
- Network of Thai Berry Pickers in Sweden and Finland
- Nuchanart Boonkong, Baan Kru Nam
Government agencies/ state enterprises/ local governing administrations
- Jan Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Kanthararom district, Sri Saket province
Private organizations/ civil organizations/ businesses/ networks
- The Mirror Foundation
Individuals/organizations: Media
- Montri Udompong, reporter of 3 Miti News
Note: This work is supported by the AspirE project of the European Union (EU)
