In a move to try and improve Thailand’s human trafficking record, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha plans to implement new measures next year to stop human trade in prostitution, child trafficking, forced begging and in the fishing industry.
In June, the US dropped Thailand to Tier 3 in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report after four consecutive years of holding the country on the Tier 2 warning list.
The report accused Thailand of allowing human trafficking, slavery and gross human rights abuses and moved the country down to the same level as Syria, Iran and North Korea.
Prayuth held a meeting last week to discuss ways to improve the country’s human trafficking record.
“Discussions sought to increase the effectiveness of human trafficking prevention and suppression measures so as to yield tangible results in the first phase, or within one year,” said a government statement.
“The Prime Minister also instructed concerned agencies to look out for officials suspected of being involved with illegal immigration and human trafficking and if caught to swiftly and resolutely proceed with legal procedures against them.”
Prayuth will head a committee on human trafficking that will be divided into five sub-committees focused on the fishing industry, child labor, forced and migrant workers, women’s issues, and legal affairs and public relations.
“The Prime Minister also called for agencies to enforce the law and pursue investigations to reach influential figures and criminal masterminds,” the statement said.
Photo: AFP
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