The first court hearing in the case involving an Ethiopian maid who accused her former employer, a World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, and his wife of slavery will begin in November, human rights lawyer Surapong Kongchantuk said yesterday.
The police took too long in taking legal action so she had to file the case herself, said Mr Surapong.
She will be represented by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, he said.
The Ethiopian maid, Emebet Mono Bezabh, has filed a criminal lawsuit against WHO Representative to Thailand, Dr Yonas Tegegn, and his wife for allegedly violating her rights and breaching the 2008 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Dr Tegegn's wife is accused of beating and abusing Ms Bezabh causing bruising. Dr Tegegn was aware of the violence, but did not act to prevent it, the former maid alleges.
Tegegn: 'Failed to stop violence'
In the lawsuit, Ms Bezabh accused her former employers of human trafficking, enslaving, detaining and assaulting her, Mr Surapong said.
The lawyer said there was medical evidence proving Ms Bezabh was physically assaulted while working for her former employers.
He also said a medical examination also found Ms Bezabh to be malnourished after the former maid claimed she had been given only plain rice to eat during the almost two years she worked for Dr Tegegn.
In response to the allegations, Dr Tegegn reported to police in April and provided documents, including dental treatment and mobile phone receipts, as proof he treated Ms Bezabh as a family member.
During the investigation, five witnesses, two foreign neighbours and three guards were questioned and told police she lived freely in her employer's house.
Dr Tegegn then scrapped Ms Bezabh's contract, which ended on June 13, saying he wanted a better worker, prompting the former maid to seek help from local rights activists.
In May, Ms Bezabh refused to accept 89,000 baht from Dr Tegegn as compensation for her overdue salary, saying the amount was much lower than what she was owed. She had earlier demanded 873,793 baht.
Dr Tegegn, who is suspended and facing a WHO probe, yesterday refused to speak to the Bangkok Post when contacted by phone.