by CW Ullman
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The newspapers headlines the following day shouted, “She’s Here to Help!” There was much discussion in the media about the upcoming celebration. My Ling’s publicist turned down all interviews in order to build up expectations for her next conference. The press camped outside the residence where My Ling was staying and in that afternoon she walked through the front door to a bank of microphones, cameras, and klieg lights.
“Tomorrow we will gather on Khao San Road at nine in the morning and celebrate our love of this country,” My Ling announced, then turned back around and went inside without answering any questions shouted from the assembled press.
Early the next day, people headed for Khao San Road, a central point for Bangkok citizens to celebrate the Buddhist New Year. Those who came were the workers My Ling had referenced in her speech. This meant the trash was not picked up, hotels went uncleaned, housemaids did not appear, and college students missed classes. Everyone who heard the speech understood My Ling was calling for a one day work stoppage. Once the throng of people gathered on the street, they walked one mile to the Royal Palace. By two o’clock the grounds of the royal family estate were surrounded by a million people.
The streets in the city were impenetrable and businesses had to close for the day. Those who had been following My Ling for the previous two weeks were now joined by those who could not leave the city because of traffic jams.
The prime minister called Attorney General Chulasingh Vasantasingh to his office.
“I want this thing wrapped up in a week,” the prime minster commanded. “Who’s presiding?”
“Ukrit Mongkolnavin,” the attorney general responded.
“Tell Ukrit I want this done yesterday,” the prime minister demanded. “Which way is he leaning?”
“You never know with him, but he’s usually by the book,” the A.G. said. “And, it looks open and shut. She has admitted to killing Montri.”
“But if Montri had done all Nyguen says he did and she’s still convicted, it’s going to be Saint Tiger Girl. This woman can summon a million people with the snap of her fingers. She can shut down the city, the government…I’ve never seen anything like it. Right now everything is peaceful; what happens if she’s convicted? The jungle people are going to take this city apart, which means police beatings; the TNPD will be overwhelmed and the goddam military - looking for any reason to kick my ass out of office, will take over.” The prime minister exclaimed.
“Ukrit wants to get on the constitutional court and if he exonerates Nyguen, he knows he’ll be passed over,” the attorney general added.
“Can you talk to him?”
The A.G. shook his head and said, “He’ll go right to the press and tell them he’s being pressured. He comes out looking like a hero. There will be an investigation and -,”
The prime minister waved him off having heard enough.
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The Thai judicial system can take seemingly forever to try cases, mete out punishment, and be bogged down in endless appeals. So it was a surprise to many that a few days after the Khao San gathering, My Ling’s case was called. At nine o’clock in the morning on April 30, 1998, in the court of Judge Ukrit Mongkolnavin, My Ling Nyguen went on trial for the murder of Waraporn Montri.
Thailand had a strange on-again, off-again history with censorship. The first case of censorship happened after the invention of the printing press, when Thailand’s first law book was printed and then immediately banned. The Thai constitution had been liberalized in 1997, allowing cameras in court. So when the broadcast began of The Crown vs. Nyguen, everyone in Thailand was watching and wondering if the cameras would go dark due to potentially riot inciting testimony
Judge Ukrit read the charges aloud in court, “The Court of The Royal Kingdom of Thailand will now come to order. Today we will hear the matter of Nyguen versus the Kingdom of Thailand in the murder of one Waraporn Montri. Are all parties present?”
“Yes, Your Honor. I am Solicitor Somchai Neelaphaijit acting as counsel for Mrs. My Ling Nyguen,” Somchai announced.
Lek then said, “And I, Your Honor, am Panyarachun Rattanakosin acting on behalf of His Royal Highness Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej (shortened in English to King Rama IX) will present the case against Mrs. Nyguen.” He continued, “On November 14, 1985 in Markham District, a Mr. Waraporn Montri was found dead from multiple gunshots and robbed of one hundred and seventy-five thousand baht ($8,750.00).”
“We object, Your Honor,” Somchai said,
Ukrit asked, “What is your objection?”
“My client admits to taking Montri’s money, but it was little more than thirty-five thousand baht ($1,750.00),” Somchai countered.
“Fine,” Ukrit said. “But she does admit to taking his money?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Somchai answered.
“Go ahead, Mr. Rattanakosin,” the judge ordered.
“Thank you, Your Honor. On behalf of the Crown I accuse the defendant, My Ling Nyguen, of the murder and the robbery of Waraporn Montri,” Lek finished.
“Mrs. Nyguen, how do plead,” the judge inquired.
“Not guilty, Your Honor,” Somchai responded.
“Prosecutor Rattanakosin, you may present your case against,” ordered Ukrit.
“Mr. Montri, an esteemed elder in his village, owned a jitney service. He was well-known for helping others and was charitable toward many local schools and orphanages,” Lek stated.
In a voice only Somchai could hear, My Ling whispered, “Give me a break.”
“On his last day on this earth, he was solicited by Mrs. Nyguen, who entrapped him, killed him, and stole his money -.”
“Objection,” Somchai shouted.
“Yes,” the judge exhaled.
“Mrs. Nyguen was approached by Montri and offered a ride.”
“Noted. Continue, Counselor.”
Lek continued, “As our first witness we would like to call My Ling Nyguen to the stand.”
My Ling stood before a bailiff who intoned, “Do you solemnly declare to this court which stands for His Majesty the King that you will tell the whole truth?”
My Ling, “I do.”
Ukrit ordered, “For the record please state your name, date of birth, and citizenship.”
“My name is My Ling Nyguen; I was born March 4th, 1966. I am an American citizen.”
The people gathered in front of televisions cheered when they saw Tiger Girl. For most, it was the first time they had heard her true name.
Lek approached My Ling pacing back and forth in front of her before he spoke, “Mrs. Nyguen, did you kill Mr. Waraporn Montri and take his money?”
“Yes, I did,” My Ling stated flatly.
What happened next surprised everyone. “No further questions” Lek said and turned to Somchai, “Your witness.”
Somchai was not prepared for so short a questioning. He sat paralyzed in his chair with Judge Ukrit glaring at him.
“Well, are you going to question the defendant?” Ukrit challenged.
“Yes, Your…Honor…I just thought Mr. Rattanakosin would go longer. I apologize,” Somchai stuttered. Seeing Somchai so flustered made My Ling smile.
A perspiring Somchai collected himself and continued, “Mrs. Nyguen, when was the first time you met Mr. Montri?”
“In 1975, I was eleven and had been rescued by a fishing boat off the coast of Vietnam,” My Ling stated. She went on to tell the entire sordid story. When she became too explicit, the judge interrupted and requested she use less detailed language. When she finished, two hours later, the judged asked if she would like to take a break before being crossed-examined by the prosecutor. My Ling nodded and the judge called a recess. After the cameras were turned off, he called the prosecutor back into his chambers.
“Do you want to offer her a plea deal?” Judge Ukrit inquired.
“Why do I want to do that? I have a great case, Your Honor,” Lek responded.
“Lek, I
’m telling you now, your case had better be airtight or I’m going to make a deal with her,” Ukrit threatened. “Were you listening? Were you watching? You didn’t see the faces of the people in the gallery.”
“My cross will neutralize her story,” Lek offered.
“It’s not the jungle people I’m worried about,” the judge said. “It’s everyone else. If your cross examination makes her out to be the daughter of Satan and Montri the guardian of widows and orphans, forget it.”
“Your Honor, I am going to place doubt. Not some trumped up doubt, but real, legitimate doubt. You should trust me,” Lek said with an assuredness that surprised the judge.
When court resumed, the judge recessed until the following morning. He wanted time to talk to others in the judiciary and to contemplate the best course of action.
Outside the courtroom both native and ethnic Southeast Asians reacted to My Ling’s testimony with outrage. Most of civilized Thailand was unaware of the realities of child sex trafficking. Prostitution is legal in Thailand and most of its gentrified population thought the girls took the jobs because the money was good. They had heard whispers that some of the girls were young, but most did not know how young.
Newspapers the following day printed much of My Ling’s testimony and ran accompanying articles about child prostitution. The largest daily, The Thai Rath ran a companion piece about Tuyen Mam and the Lotus Blossom. In the piece, Tuyen related that she frequently rescued mere toddlers being groomed for prostitution, and that many girls were put to work at the age of six. She spoke of destitute parents who sold their daughters to people who promised to care and feed them, though virtually all of these girls were forced into prostitution. Tuyen Mam told how she had to physically fight off child traffickers who attempted to take the girls back.
To the public, whatever My Ling did to Montri he deserved. This was the reaction My Ling hoped for. She wanted to expose the underworld of child trafficking, and inform the wealthy their daughters were not immune to the danger. After all, My Ling had been born to a privileged family, raised with equestrian lessons and taught to play the violin, yet she was forced into the sex trade.
The next morning, after all were seated and court gaveled to order, Judge Ukrit ordered the prosecutor to continue his cross.
Lek said, “Your Honor, I have no questions for the defendant at this time, but I would appreciate the court’s indulgence in letting me call Mrs. Nyguen to the stand at a later time.”
Ukrit nodded.
“Your Honor, at this time I would like to call Miss Di.u Ly?”
Di.u thought she would be called a few days later, so when she heard her name she did not respond. When the bailiff called her name again, she quickly rose and was sworn in.
Ukrit ordered Di.u, “Please state your name, date of birth, and citizenship.”
“My name is -”
Ukrit told her to speak louder.
With a fuller voice, “My name is Di.u Ly. I was born May 2nd, 1971. I am an American citizen.”
Lek asked Di.u where she had first met My Ling and My Ling felt a sudden knot in her stomach, recognizing that an old problem was about to resurface.
Di.u told of the cargo hold where she, her mother, and her sister Dao, were held along with Ha and Huyen. She relayed that a few days after they had been kidnapped, My Ling was thrown in with them. She said her mother and Ha would be taken from the cabin against their will and when they were returned they would be crying and shaking. She said this continued until My Ling joined them, after which it stopped.
“What do you mean it stopped?” Prosecutor Lek quickly asked. “The exits from the cabin or the crying and shaking?”
“The crying and shaking.”
“What happened to make it stop?” he wondered.
“It just stopped. When they heard the men’s footsteps outside the door, they would get up and stand by the door and wait for them. Kind of like they were expecting them,” Di.u said.
“Did you, your sister or the other girl ever go with them?”
“No.”
“Were you, your sister or the other girl ever forced to have sex?”
“No.”
“So, Miss Ly, let me get this straight. Are you stating that you were never molested on this ship?”
“No, I was not,” Di.u replied.
“Did you ever see Mrs. Nyguen molested?” Lek asked.
“Well…no…but I did see her slapped and pushed around,” Di.u offered.
“That’s not the question, Miss Ly. Did you ever see her sexually molested? Did you ever see any of the crew on the ship do anything sexually to her?”
Di.u slowly said, “No.”
“When Mrs. Nyguen came back into the cabin where you were with your sister and the other girl, how did the defendant look?” Lek asked.
Di.u stalled for a long time until Judge Ukrit ordered, “Miss Ly, we need to hear your answer.”
“She looked all right,” Di.u whispered.
“Did you say she looked all right, Miss Ly,” the prosecutor bullied and Di.u nodded.
“Let the record show that Miss Ly nodded in the affirmative. Miss Ly, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say whenever My Ling Nyguen came back into the cabin, she was actually smiling.”
Di.u’s eyes filled with tears, because in an earlier deposition she told of the women coming back to the cabin with smiles. She did not answer the prosecutor.
“Let me ask you again,” Lek spoke louder. “And this is a yes or no question. Did Mrs. Nyguen return, after each time she was taken away, with a big smile on her face; like she enjoyed whatever she was doing?”
Di.u dropped her head and would not answer, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Answer the question, Miss Ly,” Judge Ukrit ordered.
“I know she did-,” she was interrupted by Lek.
“Yes or no, Miss Ly; those are the choices,” Lek demanded of her.
She nodded and Lek again wanted the record to reflect her affirmative response. There are no stenographers in a Thai courtroom, only the judge taking notes. But Lek wanted everyone watching on television to know Di.u’s response.
“In fact, on one occasion did she not request to see Mr. Montri by herself?” Lek accused.
Di.u nodded.
“And when she came back from that meeting wasn’t she smiling?”
My Ling elbowed Somchai who jumped up, “We object, Your Honor.”
“What’s the objection, Counselor?” Ukrit asked.
“The witness is not being allowed to explain her answers,” Somchai stated.
“You’ll get your chance to cross; overruled. Continue, Miss Ly,” Judge Ukrit ordered.
Lek asked Di.u, “The point is you never saw what was going on outside that door, did you, Miss Ly?”
“No, I didn’t,”
“In fact, your mother and the other woman never said what was happening outside that door. The only account you ever heard came from My Ling Nyguen, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Were you ever molested on that ship, Miss Ly?”
“No.”
“Were you ever molested?”
“Yes.”
“Where did that happen, Miss Ly?”
“In Mr. Pok’s compound.”
“Was your sister or the other girl molested there as well?”
“Just my sister, Huyen was helping Mr. Pok’s wife.”
“Was My Ling Nyguen having sex at the same compound?”
“Yes.”
“Objection, Your Honor,” Somchai called. The judge nodded at him as if to ask “why.”
“Mrs. Nyguen was being raped, not having sex,” Somchai added.
“Sustained. Continue, Mr. Rattanakosin.”
“Did you see her reaction to what was happening to her?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“If My Ling Nyguen was trying to rid the world of child abusers, child traffickers and rapists why didn’t she kill the one person who put her th
rough a year of it: Mr. Pok?”
“Objection, Your Honor,” Somchai interjected.
“Sustained,” Ukrit intoned.
“Let me ask you a question, Miss Ly,” Lek continued. “Is it possible that My Ling Nyguen killed Mr. Montri for his money?”
Di.u paused, because the question was far afield from the previous sex questions. She thought of her sister as an accomplice to Montri’s killing and knew Dao had never been mentioned publicly in connection with it. My Ling thought it best to keep Dao’s name out of it. Di.u’s mind was a mess and she panicked, not knowing what to say. She looked up and saw a very dark expression on My Ling’s face. My Ling’s brows were furrowed, making Di.u think she was trying to send her a message.
“Miss Ly, you need to answer the question,” Judge Ukrit ordered.
Di.u was afraid to say anything, because what she should not say was clearer in her mind than what she should say. She blurted out, “Yes…I mean no…I mean…I don’t know.”
“Miss Ly, do you know why your mother and the other woman were smiling when they came back into the room?” Lek asked.
Di.u paused awhile then answered, “So we would not be afraid.”
“Did your mother tell you that?”
“No.”
“Will you please tell the court who told you that?”
“My Ling.”
“In your deposition, didn’t you say that Mr. Montri said that none of the men on the ship were to have sex with My Ling?”
“Yes.”
“In fact, did not My Ling tell you that when a man tried to have intercourse with her, he was killed by Waraporn Montri?”
Di.u felt like she was witnessing an execution and she was the hangman. She looked at My Ling, who nodded slightly.
“Yes,” Di.u meekly said.
“So it appears by your own testimony that contrary to Mr. Montri trying to rape or sexually abuse My Ling, he was actually trying to protect her, even to the extent of killing one of his own men who attempted to violate her. Isn’t that true, Miss Ly?” Prosecutor Lek challenged.
Di.u was drained. She looked through her tears at My Ling and felt the weight of betrayal. Di.u had been spared death many times by the woman sitting across from her. My Ling’s melancholy expression broke Di.u’s spirit even further, because she knew My Ling was forgiving her. Di.u’s pain was more complete than she had ever known.