Op-Ed: US underrates Thailand’s efforts in TIP Report

[webfact]

Fishermen carry a bucket of their catch from a fishing boat in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on November 14, 2020. (Photo by Madaree TOHLALA / AFP)

 

Thailand has been quick to respond to the latest US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), saying unequivocally that it is disappointed with the ranking. The report, which was released on July 1, downgraded Thailand to the Tier 2 Watch List from Tier 2 the previous year. 

 

This year report found the Thai government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to address trafficking compared to the previous year nor has it effectively addressed the forced labor of migrant workers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement pointing out that that the TIP report was drawn up unilaterally from the US perspective, which “by no means represents any international standard.” It must be reiterated here that the US government’s evaluation is unfair given the considerable progress made over the years. It was not 100 percent perfect to be sure but continued progress must be recognized especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Since 2014, Thailand has worked hard to improve the situation regarding human trafficking. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made combating human trafficking a national agenda after taking over the country’s leadership. At the time, there have been criticisms of his focus on this issue, given that the country’s many socio-economic problems. It was a big letdown coming as it did amid pressing socio-economic issues including the surge of infections and vaccinating crisis.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/op-ed-us-underrates-thailands-efforts-in-tip-report/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-05

[HaoleBoy]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made combating human trafficking a national agenda after taking over the country’s leadership. 

Now we know for a fact that this Gov has done nothing.  Whatever Prayut says is the opposite of what happens in this Gov.  One need only look at the tepid response to workers leaking over the borders during Covid-19 borders closed.  Only 1 person was found in corruption for bringing over workers.

[Mr Meeseeks]

I was under the impression that they did very little about human trafficking until they found that mass grave down South in 2015?

 

There were 100 people brought to trial; politicians, police officers and military all accused of being involved. 

 

They ended up prosecuting and jailing Lt. General Manas Kongpan who was one of the ringleaders and recently died in prison.

 

Further reading here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40652012

Edited July 5, 2021 by Mr Meeseeks

[Excel]

1 minute ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I was under the impression that they did very little about human trafficking until they found that mass grave down South in 2015?

 

There were 100 people brought to trial; politicians, police officers and military all accused of being involved. 

 

They ended up prosecuting and jailing Lt. General Manas Kongpan who was one of the ringleaders and recently died in prison.

 

Further reading here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40652012

And illegal migrant labour is still big business here too

[mtls2005]

"We only threw 40 migrant workers overboard last year. In previous years this figure was much higher."

 

 

 

Hoenstly, if they spent half the effort they spend denying the barbaric conditions they might have improved the conditions. Plenty of Thai people unemployed, maybe put them to work? (rhetorical) 

 

 

[Poet]

Frankly, this is somewhat unfair on Thailand. Few nationalities tip as much as Americans.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It was not 100 percent perfect to be sure but continued progress must be recognized especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maybe treatment of migrants during the Covid pandemic had an influence on the decision?

This is only about the fisheries, but include construction and factory workers it paints a diabolical picture of life as a migrant worker here in Thailand.

[Venom]

Which group controls most of the fishing industry in Thailand and has received numerous human rights abuse complaints? ???? 

[spidermike007]

They have never addressed human trafficking, sex slavery, and abuse in the fishing industry. 

 

They have never addressed corruption, on any level. 

 

They have never addressed police reform. 

 

They have never addressed the multitude of air, water and other environmental issues. 

 

They have never addressed public or traffic safety. 

 

They appoint based solely on cronyism, and never consider merit, talent, or experience. And this has led to the current catastrophic state of the economy, the Covid response, and the sabotage and destruction of the once vital tourism industry. 

 

Prayuth and this administration are the do nothing people. Their sole purpose is to protect the elite, the super rich, corporations, the police, immigration, customs, and those currently in power. Nothing else matters to these dinosaurs. 

 

And Thailand will pay the price for this failed regime for years to come. Woe are the people of Thailand. 

 

They justly deserve all the criticism, humiliation and shame that can be heaped upon them. 

 

Out with the dinosaurs. In with the youth! 

[Andycoops]

As it is the Thais who are paying for the illegal migrants to come and be here to work, it seems absurd for anyone to deny that.

Instead of fining people for showing pictures of alcohol on social media, they should be fining and imprisoning the real culprits who are endangering the country for their own greed.

[D M G]

57 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They have never addressed human trafficking, sex slavery, and abuse in the fishing industry. 

 

They have never addressed corruption, on any level. 

 

They have never addressed police reform. 

 

They have never addressed the multitude of air, water and other environmental issues. 

 

They have never addressed public or traffic safety. 

 

They appoint based solely on cronyism, and never consider merit, talent, or experience. And this has led to the current catastrophic state of the economy, the Covid response, and the sabotage and destruction of the once vital tourism industry. 

 

Prayuth and this administration are the do nothing people. Their sole purpose is to protect the elite, the super rich, corporations, the police, immigration, customs, and those currently in power. Nothing else matters to these dinosaurs. 

 

And Thailand will pay the price for this failed regime for years to come. Woe are the people of Thailand. 

 

They justly deserve all the criticism, humiliation and shame that can be heaped upon them. 

 

Out with the dinosaurs. In with the youth! 

I really get annoyed when people don't get to the point...  ????

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I was under the impression that they did very little about human trafficking until they found that mass grave down South in 2015?

 

There were 100 people brought to trial; politicians, police officers and military all accused of being involved. 

 

They ended up prosecuting and jailing Lt. General Manas Kongpan who was one of the ringleaders and recently died in prison.

 

Further reading here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40652012

'found that mass grave" 

 

Extent of human trafficking was further uncovered as I recall by Reuters who had pictures of Manas with trafficked migrants with extensive investigative articles and republished by 2 Thai Reuter reporters. The military subsequently brought suit against the 2 reporters for defamation - eventually withdrawn. So it would seem that there was a lot of international pressure on Prayut to take action against the military traffickers.

 

As I recall Manas was a Colonel at the time of Reuter's investigation. So by the time of his arrest, he advanced to Lt. Gen. and a member of PM Prayut's advisory staff (NCPO?). 

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“by no means represents any international standard.”

Then why is the government concerned?

The government was happy when they were in a higher tier.

Edited July 5, 2021 by Tropicalevo

[Purdey]

To be fair, it is an American ranking and I doubt Thailand can change how they create the ranking. Perhaps find an international ranking that looks better? Is that even possible?

 

The Govt cannot be to blame for creating this problem (it has been going on forever) and is faced with numerous problems today. Huge companies like CP make millions from cheap labour but I can't imagine the govt crippling them with billion baht fines at a time where people need even a low paying wage. 

 

[timmyp]

I think that the U.S. probably doesn't really care about the reality of Thailand's human trafficking. It's used as a way to manipulate Thailand. If Thailand does more to distance itself from China, or if groups/political parties backed by the U.S.'s NED gain power through elections, pressure, or protests, then the U.S. and other U.S.-backed human rights groups will suddenly find improvement in the human trafficking situation here. 

 

[Excel]

5 hours ago, Excel said:

And illegal migrant labour is still big business here too

And a good earner for those with connections no doubt

[Caldera]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made combating human trafficking a national agenda after taking over the country’s leadership.

 

If it wasn't such a sad issue I could hardly stop laughing reading nonsense like that.

[Chang_paarp]

Less committees and more actual results might change the TiP rating.

 

Only trouble with this course of action is it might cost some people money.

[Albert Zweistein]

Downgraded Thailand to the tier 2 watchlist from tier 2 the previous year ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[rumak]

9 minutes ago, Albert Zweistein said:

2 watchlist from tier 2

 

i think the meaning is the same as :  you're doing a really bad job..... as opposed to you're doing a normal bad job