Monta Yokrattanakan, 59, better known as Ying Kai, who allegedly lured three young women to work as her maids from 5am until 10pm every day for almost four years without paying them or giving them proper days off, pleaded not guilty to human trafficking yesterday.
Ms Monta was charged with human trafficking in connection with luring the women into working for her at her apartment in Chatuchak district from June, 2006 until October, 2010.
She denied the accusations in court yesterday and insisted she had only hired Dalin Lakham, 19, the first plaintiff, and she had paid her wages.
Ms Monta claimed at yesterday's trial she did not know Kanchana Ponglabsunthon from Mae Hong Son, the second plaintiff, and the third plaintiff, Khwanchira Chirasakulchokchai, 17, was actually her maid's friend.
Ms Monta gave a statement before the judges claiming she took in Ms Dalin, whom she acknowledged as having worked for her, because she wanted to provide her with proper education.
She added, if that is regarded by the court as an act of human trafficking, she would have to live with that.
Ms Monta named herself, her maid and her driver as three witnesses to be called by her lawyer. The maid will also be a witness for the prosecution.
The prosecutor, representing the three plaintiffs, submitted 37 more documents yesterday.
Both the prosecutor and the lawyer representing the defendant acknowledged the list of seven witnesses who will testify on the plaintiff's side, including Mae Hong Son's Mae Sariang district deputy chief and officials from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.
A second hearing of witnesses is set for May 2-3 next year.