thaieyes

Thailand and Burma to sign pact on anti-human trafficking issues

An 11-year-old girl was the youngest victim of human trafficking crimes that were found mostly in Chaing Rai, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla and Pattani while immigrant workers were continuously lured to serve on fishing boats, as there was a 10,000 position labour shortage in the industry.At the yesterday seminar at Bangkok's Asia Hotel, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Issara Somchai, said he would represent Thailand to sign an agreement on April 24 with the Burmese government to tackle human trafficking issues including the Rohingya boat people case that Thailand was accused of torturing them.

At this same event participated by state official and public organisations from 29 provinces, International Labour Organization (ILO) official Suvajee Good reported that ILO had rescued 649 child workers facing severe treatments from 2008-2009, 48 per cent of whom were human trafficking victims in fishery industry.

As child workers were used in illegal businesses, prostitution and drug trade in the past 34 years, the youngest victim was found to be only 11 years old being used as a house maid working long hours without proper meals or payment, she said.

Such child workers were found mostly in major provinces such as Chiang Rai, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla and Pattani, she added.

Ekkalak Lumchomkae, official at the Mirror Foundation's Operation Center against Human Trafficking, said that 70 workers were rescued and identified as human trafficking victims in fishery while another 145 workers were being determined if they were also the victims.

He further revealed that there were at least 30 human traffickers especially in the fishery industry which suffered a shortage of 10,000 positions.

Not only adults were taken, but also boys aged 15-17 were lured to work on fishing boats by various ways such as convincing words, sleeping pills in drinking water, or treating to prostitutes until suffering overwhelming debt.

Pol Lt Col Chokchai Ngamwong from Children Juveniles and Women Division said that a recent police search at a house detaining human trafficking victims in fishery industry discovered a record of July 2008 which the gang reportedly earned Bt150,000, as the house took in 23 newcomers per day, each of whom was sold to the gang at Bt2,000 before being sold to a fishing boat at Bt4,000.

Citing the good profit and low risk of getting caught as major attractions for criminals to turn to human trafficking, he said it was of lower risk compared to the drug or weapon trades that had clear evidences for prosecution.

He said that Bangkok's Sanam Luang and Hua Lampong Train Station had seen the most cases of 23 people being lured on daily basis and that police was requesting arrest warrants for such criminals.

Source: The Nation - 27 March 2009

Jai Dee, Congratulations on posting this article. The more we all work to stop child trafficking, indeed all human trafficking, and provide education facilities so that people can work in an honest profession, the safer place the world will be.

It is great to see that the Thai Government is taking this seriously and endeavouring to do its utmost to protect people from being trafficked.

Thaieyes

How long will it take until trafficking is stamped out. I guess it wont happen until poverty is a thing of the past. Maybe education is the answer. Any ideas on a quickfix solution. Are the jails big enough to hold all the traffickers if they get caught. Maybe they could all be deported to an isolated Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or something. Work in the salt mines could be another alternative - way up north of China.

thaieyes

How long will it take until trafficking is stamped out. I guess it wont happen until poverty is a thing of the past. Maybe education is the answer. Any ideas on a quickfix solution. Are the jails big enough to hold all the traffickers if they get caught. Maybe they could all be deported to an isolated Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or something. Work in the salt mines could be another alternative - way up north of China.

thaieyes

What a night you had. You will tell this story for years. Have fun and keep safe

I'm curious to know how many members think it's worth putting locks on luggage to deter thieves/drugs.

I don't use a suitcase, just a backpack/rucksack and didn't use any locks on my previous trip.

Cable ties coloured plus I photograph also at the checkin counter, particularly on os flights.

That's no good

This won't be around for too long.

What do you mean

13th March

Front page of a few Northern Thailand newspapers showed Bobby Morse at the police station. This is a section of one of the newspapers.

I still wonder why the English language Thai Newspapers haven’t printed this story.

Mr Morse and a Thai man were arrested and charged on a number of child abuse charges. Research on the internet and local people tell me that Bobby Morse is well known in Northern Thailand and Myanmar, particularly Yangon for his continuous work with the Church of Christ, various orphanages and youth training centres.

One worrying thing that has been conveyed to me is that these guys are out on bail, possibly back to their alleged crimes.

Despite the fame or good deeds that someone may attain or do in life, all alleged child abusers should be locked up once arrested and charged. No bail, zero tolerance. People like this leave the country. Just hope the police confiscated Morse’s passport. He would most certainly have one if he travels so frequently to countries like Myanmar and China and other global destinations. Watch out that he doesn’t get on a flight to somewhere.

The abuse of children in Thailand is illegal. It is reprehensible no matter who the perpetrator is.

No excuses, ever, ever. Lock up all child abusers and throw away the key.

Thai Eyes

Whilst in Northern Thailand last week, I noticed the photo of the well-known Mr Bobby Morse on the front page of not only one, but a few local newspapers. I asked some friends who spoke Thai to translate for me and this is what the news was about.

Mr Morse and a Thai man were arrested and charged on child abuse charges. Research on the internet and local advisors tell me that Mr Bobby Morse is well known in Northern Thailand and Myanmar, particularly Yangon for his continuous work with the Church of Christ, various orphanages and youth training centres.

One thing that my translator conveyed that he has been released on bail.

Do you all think, that despite the fame of one person, that alleged child abusers should be on bail, possibly just to flee the country.

People in Thailand do not condone the abuse of children, no matter who the perpetrator is.

Look forward to any news you may have and comments.

David Pearce

Thailand

Posting_New_Topic___Thailand_Forum.htm

I tried to make a new entry into my blog (first time in a long time), and after posting it I went to the portal page. My entry didn't appear on the "latest blog entries" and when I went back to my blog, the entry was gone, like it never existed.

I tried another entry to see what would happen. Same thing. I post it and it disappeared into the void.

Not sure if anyone else has tried to make a blog entry since the new upgrade a couple days ago ?

Hi Kerry

I have been trying since yesterday. Cannot get it there. Can you tell me how you succeeded.

Thanks

Thai Eyes