The appointed legislature today approved a stronger anti-trafficking law with protections for whistleblowers and harsher penalties, including death, for traffickers.
The National Legislative Assembly voted 177-0 with five abstentions to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in hopes of turning around the country’s image as being lax or even complicit in trafficking and slavery.
Under the amended law, prosecutors can seek life in prison or the death penalty for trafficking offenses which result in death.
The law also gives authorities more tools to punish companies that benefit from trafficking and offers some protection to shield whistleblowers from intimidation or litigation, according to Thai PBS.
After the United States downgraded Thailand to Tier 3 status in its annual Trafficking in Persons rankings for being a source, transit and destination for trafficked people, Thai officials studiously denied there was a significant problem while taking action to shore up efforts and enforcement.
Photo: Thai PBS
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