Fishing Vessels Inspected in Anti-Trafficking Drive

The Anti-Human Trafficking Centre has launched inspections of vessels involved in fishing and seafood supply chains to prevent forced labour and strengthen worker protection systems. On 1 March, Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Deputy National Police Chief and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre, Royal Thai Police, said Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, National Police Chief, had ordered intensified crackdowns across all sectors, including fisheries. The move aims to prevent forced labour, human trafficking and labour rights violations in maritime and marine fishing industries.

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The latest operation involved coordinated inspections of fishing vessels, cold storage seafood operations, seafood supply chains and tuna boats. Participating agencies included the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre (AHTC), the Ministry of Labour through the Department of Employment, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Labour, the Marine Department, the Marine Police Division, the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the Immigration Bureau and private sector partners such as the Thai Tuna Industry Association and the Thai Pet Food Trade Association. Stella Maris Thailand also took part as a civil society representative.

Inspections focused on compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and ILO Convention No.188 (Work in Fishing Convention). Authorities examined employment conditions, wages, welfare, living quarters, safety standards, training, medical provisions and documentation related to maritime and labour regulations. Crew members were interviewed directly as part of the process.

Officials inspected the Panamanian-flagged vessel MV WEBO 307 and reported no evidence of forced labour, human trafficking or labour rights violations. Crew members were found to have received wages as required, with working conditions and safety systems meeting legal and international standards. The inspection forms part of an ongoing operational plan to monitor vessels and maritime labour.

During the operation, authorities provided crew members with clear information on complaint channels and assistance mechanisms, enabling them to contact Thai state agencies directly if they encounter problems or unfair treatment. The participation of Stella Maris Thailand was described as strengthening humanitarian and dignity-focused protections for seafarers.

Pol Gen Thatchai said Thailand reaffirmed to the international community its commitment to raising maritime and fishing labour protections in line with MLC, 2006 and ILO Convention No.188. He stated that Thailand’s actions reflect a structural commitment to addressing forced labour, human trafficking and labour rights abuses sustainably, through concrete cross-agency integration and field-level enforcement rather than documentation alone.

Matichon reported that authorities said inspections will continue under an integrated framework combining law enforcement, labour, maritime, fisheries, public health and civil society bodies. Thailand reiterated that ports and waters under its jurisdiction will not serve as safe havens for forced labour or trafficking in any form, and confirmed ongoing adherence to international labour standards.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 2 Mar 2026