The Thai Pineapple Industry Association (TPIA) had the opportunity to distance itself from a controversial lawsuit involving one if its members, but that member happens to be its president, and other constituents appear to have little desire to stand against him.

Almost 18 months after Prachuap Khiri Khan-based Natural Fruit announced it would be suing migrant worker rights lawyer Andy Hall for defamation over a report about its pineapple processing operations, he will be facing court tomorrow with some of Europe's biggest retailers behind him.

Until recently, big industry was largely absent from the issue publicly, but in quick succession some of the biggest buyers from Scandinavia and the U.K. called on the TPIA and the Thai Food Processors' Association (TFPA) to exert their influence to effect change.

This means pushing the fruit processor to drop the charges and engage with workers and NGOs to address the human rights allegations in published in the report in question, rather than attempting to silence them through litigation.

But why so last minute? In conversation with www.freshfruitportal.com, Hall said he believed it was to do with the TPIA's personal attacks on him and outright dismissal of a letter from almost 100 rights groups calling for the removal of Wirat Piyapornpaiboon as TPIA president.

"The reason they've gone public is because of the TPIA, the pineapple industry coming out and saying absolutely ridiculous things - I think that's really shocked the international retail community," Hall said.

Andy Hall and his team with TFFA and TTIA representatives in front of the Prakanong Court

"In light of people saying that I intend to destroy the economic system of Thailand, that 100 international unions and human rights groups are irrelevant and immoral, that their signatures don't count for anything, international retailers have to respond.

"I think it’s revealed a lot about what Thailand is and the mentality of the Thai industry."

Readers can click here for further background on the issue.

The criminal case tomorrow over an interview with Al Jazeera is in fact the smallest of the three pending against Hall, but could imply imprisonment of one year. The prosecution will take place for the first three days from Sept. 2-4, followed by the defense's case on Sept. 5, 9 and 10.

A second, more serious, criminal case will begin on Sept. 15 which may carry a sentence of seven years in jail, while Hall and his legal team have requested an extension until October on the civil case which carries a potential penalty of US$10 million in damages.

Hall said he was confident ahead of the trial with all his focus currently on the case, cross-examinations and his own witnesses that had "fled from the factories" and consented to giving testimonies.

When asked about witness protection, Hall said efforts had been made to secure such arrangements with the court but the judge said 'there’s no worry, when the workers are in the court we’ll protect them'.

"It's frustrating at times to sort that all out but I’m feeling quite confident. It's also great that the international community have come out in support, that there are petitions on the internet with over 300,000 signatures," he said.

"We've got all these statements being made by retail groups, and I feel really empowered that it’s managing to raise these issues to a much higher level than what I've been able to do with my work in the past; unfortunately it's because I'm the subject of that issue which is not a good thing, but I think it's really bringing attention to the international community about Thailand and the way industry and employers deal with issues.

"If they can do this against a foreigner, what are they going to do against migrants?"

While he was positive about his case, Hall said he dreaded to think what evidence Natural Fruit would use against him.

"I think they're very intelligent people so I'm pretty interested to know exactly what they could be using against me," he said.

"I really couldn’t guess and I'm sure they won’t be revealing it until the day, but I'm sure they'll be doing many interesting things."

www.freshfruitportal.com