Thai police to finish probe by June

Thai police yesterday said they were winding down an investigation into human trafficking gangs, and planned to send a report of their findings to the country's attorney general by the end of June.

Thailand began a nationwide crackdown on human trafficking networks and suspected camps hidden deep in its jungles  following last month's discovery of more than 30 bodies buried in human trafficking camps in the southern province of Songkhla.

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Police officials, politicians and a military general are among the 53 people to have been arrested in the largest such investigation by Thai police. Arrest warrants have been issued for nearly 90 suspects, with about 36 people still on the run.

"We think that the police side of the investigation will be wrapped up by the end of this month," national police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang told reporters.

"We will send these cases to the attorney general by the end of June," he added. "Those who haven't yet been arrested can go straight to trial because we will hand over the names of those suspects too."

Police in neighbouring Malaysia announced last month the discovery of 139 graves in jungle camps used by suspected smugglers and traffickers.