Shan Migrant Workers Prepare to Challenge Social Security Office Discrimination in the Administrative Court of Thailand

Nang Noom Mae Seng is a 36-year old Shan migrant worker from Burma who, since 2004, has been granted permission to reside and work legally in Thailand under the Thai Government's migrant registration scheme. On 4th December 2006, Nang Noom was working at the Shangri-la Hotel construction site in Chiangmai when a sling used to lift a 300kg mould broke. The mould fell from the 12th floor of the building and shattered into large pieces. One piece of the mould struck Nang Noom as she was working on the 2nd floor and she sustained severe injuries including spinal damage, broken and fracture bones, a torn diaphragm and internal bleeding. Nang Noom remained in Maharaat Chiangmai hospital receiving treatment and rehabilitation for 11 months through the migrant health insurance scheme. As a result of this accident, Nang Noom is 70% disabled and paralysed from the waist down.