Thailand Faces Pressure Over Alarming Human Trafficking Route

[webfact]

File photo Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge Gate. Courtesy: Wikipedia

 

The escalating human trafficking crisis in Thailand has drawn the attention of fourteen nations. With their citizens reportedly ensnared by fraudulent scam operations just over the border in Myanmar, concerns intensify over Thailand being used as a passageway into what some are describing as "hell on earth".

 

At the centre of this alarming surge are online scam and human trafficking networks reportedly operating right across the Moei River from Mae Sot in Tak province.

 

House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, responding to appeals from both embassies and NGOs, convened a critical meeting on Wednesday to address the growing concerns. Notably, officials from Kenya and Sri Lanka have entreated Thailand for assistance in rescuing their nationals.

 

The situation was spotlighted during a meeting of the Thai House of Representatives, where Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsang urged for an enhanced mechanism to combat this grave issue.

Emphasising that hundreds of thousands of foreigners traverse Mae Sot annually, Mr Kannavee suggested that while Thailand's existing frameworks address victim support, they are insufficient in arresting the root causes of trafficking.

 

In a tactical response, Thai authorities recently established a checkpoint on Highway 12 in Mae Sot, aiming to intercept potential trafficking attempts. However, Mr Kannavee's call to action suggests this measure alone may not suffice.

 

Advocacy from the civil society urges for broader and more comprehensive solutions from the nation's leadership to halt the country’s exploitation by international criminal syndicates.

 

Picture courtesy: UN Women/Stephanie Simcox

 

An advocacy group specialising in assisting trafficking victims revealed that over 300 individuals from more than ten countries are believed to be forcibly held in Myanmar, engaged in criminal enterprises such as online scams.

 

Reports also indicate that Myanmar's Myawaddy region, located just across the river from Thai districts Mae Sot and Phop Phra, functions under the influence of entities like the Karen Border Guard Force and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.

 

These groups are allegedly profiting substantially from such illicit activities, further complicating diplomatic and humanitarian solutions.

 

Data from various embassies corroborate reports of citizens lured into these perilous situations. Beyond online fraud, the critical risks encompass human and drug trafficking, notably involving Rohingya people.

 

As diplomatic dialogue intensifies, the emphasis remains on transforming Thailand's image from a conduit in these international networks to a nation resolutely opposing human exploitation.

 

Thailand now stands at a crossroads, challenged to augment its measures against transnational human trafficking. The international community watches closely, as successful intervention here could set precedents for regional efforts to combat these heinous crimes, reported Bangkok Post

 

-- 2024-12-19

 

 

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[flyingtlger]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

These groups are allegedly profiting substantially from such illicit activities, further complicating diplomatic and humanitarian solutions.

 

Follow the money BUT if it leads to high level police or military......it'll be business as usual.

[Emdog]

As we have seen time and again, certain individuals and organizations would sell their mother if they could make some cash from the deal