Thailand is pressing forward with its efforts to rescue about 110 individuals believed to be victims of trafficking in Myanmar. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) is working closely with different government agencies to address the issue.

 

ATPD Commander Sarut Kwaengsopha shared on October 29 that they are partnering with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Thai embassy’s police officer in Myanmar, and the Township Border Committee chairman. Together, they are planning the rescue operation for these victims.

 

This united effort follows a plea from the Civil Society Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking. On Saturday, they sent open letters to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, related agencies, and embassies of nine countries, calling for urgent action to rescue the victims.

 

Commander Sarut noted that foreigners who are rescued and brought back to Thailand will follow a national referral mechanism. This process is designed to identify, protect, and support trafficking victims.

 

The network disclosed that a Chinese criminal group tricked victims from nine different countries into working as scammers in Myanmar. The network has also contacted leaders of ethnic armed groups in Myawaddy, in Myanmar’s Karen State, including the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA).

 

Currently, 36 Filipinos and one Moroccan are reportedly held in the BGF-controlled area, while 73 other nationals are within DKBA territory. These individuals were enticed with promises of good-paying jobs in Thailand by a cross-border network led by Chinese nationals.

 

The network explained that the syndicate used social media to lure the victims, who were then smuggled into Myanmar through Tak’s Mae Sot district.

 

“Now that Thailand has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2025 to 2027, it is crucial for the country to show active support in these humanitarian rescue missions.”

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-30

 

 

I'm glad they're taking this action, but it's striking how different their attitude is when the trafficking victims are in another country versus in Thailand (where they end up being arrested as illegal aliens rather than given aid or assistance).

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

I'm glad they're taking this action, but it's striking how different their attitude is when the trafficking victims are in another country versus in Thailand (where they end up being arrested as illegal aliens rather than given aid or assistance).

Or worse as history has proven