A Sydney woman’s heinous crimes have shocked Australia, as Rungnapha Kanbut was sentenced to over six years in prison for enslaving two Thai women and forcing them into sex work. The case, branded “evil” by a judge, exposes the dark underbelly of human trafficking in modern cities.
The Crimes: A Brutal Scheme
In 2004 and 2005, Rungnapha Kanbut, a 63-year-old Thai-Australian, lured two Thai women to Sydney with promises of opportunity. Instead, she confiscated their passports, imposed a $45,000 “debt” on each, and forced them to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, in brothels across Homebush, Marrickville, and Five Dock. The women, identified only as VP and RB, serviced up to 10 clients daily to repay the fabricated debt, with Kanbut pocketing their earnings.
Kanbut controlled them through fear, threatening deportation and shaming. One victim was photographed naked, with threats to send the images to her family in Thailand. Another suffered physical abuse in brothels but was denied medical care, told to “put up with it.” The women lived in Kanbut’s Burwood flat or Strathfield home, often without keys, trapped in a “prison with no bars.”
Legal Battle and Sentencing
Kanbut was first convicted in 2019 of six charges, including intentionally possessing a slave and dealing with proceeds of crime, receiving an eight-year sentence. However, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal overturned the conviction in December 2022, citing a misleading jury direction about her “tendency” toward criminal behavior. A retrial in April 2025 saw a jury take less than five hours to find her guilty again.
On September 1, 2025, NSW District Court Judge James Bennett sentenced Kanbut to six years and six months, with a non-parole period of four years and five months. He labeled her actions “evil,” noting she showed no remorse, denying the enslavement despite overwhelming evidence. The lighter sentence considered health issues faced by Kanbut’s autistic son and elderly husband. She is eligible for parole on September 22, 2025, due to time served.
Victim Impact and Public Outrage
The victims’ testimonies were harrowing. VP reported lasting physical pain, unable to walk properly after enduring “extreme” conditions. RB said the trauma left “scars for life.” Judge Bennett criticized Kanbut’s claim that the $45,000 debt covered travel and visa costs, calling it “beggars belief” and a scheme for personal enrichment.
Public reaction, amplified on X, has been fierce. Users condemned Kanbut’s actions as “monstrous,” with some calling for stricter anti-trafficking laws. Advocacy groups like the National Immigration Law Center praised the verdict but urged broader systemic reforms to protect vulnerable migrants.
Impact on U.S. Audiences
While the case unfolded in Australia, it resonates with U.S. audiences amid ongoing debates over immigration and human trafficking. The U.S., a key destination for trafficking victims, reported over 11,500 trafficking cases in 2024, per the FBI. This case highlights risks faced by migrants, a concern for American communities near borders or in urban hubs. Politically, it fuels calls for stronger visa oversight and victim protections, a hot topic as 2026 midterms approach. Economically, trafficking disrupts labor markets and burdens law enforcement, with costs estimated at $150 billion annually worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Justice and Prevention
Kanbut’s imprisonment marks a victory for justice, but the case exposes gaps in combating modern slavery. Australia’s 2008 legal definition of slavery, expanded to include coercive sex work, set a precedent, yet enforcement remains challenging. Advocates demand better protections for migrant workers and international cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks.
As Kanbut faces her sentence, the focus shifts to preventing future atrocities. Will stronger laws and global efforts curb human trafficking, or will victims continue to suffer in silence? The fight for justice continues.