Scam centre victims, deceived or trafficked into working in Myanmar, remain trapped in limbo inside a compound at KK Park. Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The United Nations has delivered a stern warning to Thailand, urging immediate action against cross-border human trafficking tied to online scams in Southeast Asia.

 

In a letter dated March 10, the UN highlights serious concerns over forced labour in scam centres in Thailand and its neighbouring countries.

 

The UN, focusing on the exploitation of women and children, reports that victims from various regions, including East Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, are duped by fake job offers.

 

Once trapped, these individuals are coerced into scams involving financial fraud, romance cons, fake investments, and illegal gambling.

 

Victims find themselves confined, their passports seized, and subjected to severe abuse and forced labour with little or no compensation. Failure to comply often leads to harsh punishments, and some victims are even sold to other illicit operations.

 

Thailand is implicated as a crucial transit hub, particularly near Myanmar’s Karen State. The UN claims these scam centres exploit

 

Thai resources such as power and communication infrastructure to facilitate their operations. There are concerns that many victims are unjustly prosecuted rather than recognised as trafficking survivors.

 

The UN calls for answers on 10 critical points, including Thailand's response to the allegations and measures to prevent the misuse of its resources. The letter also emphasises the need for consular staff training to identify and aid victims effectively.

 

Thailand, along with other regional governments like Myanmar, China, and Cambodia, has been urged to align its actions with international human rights laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons.

 

This global appeal underscores the widespread nature of the problem and the urgent need for comprehensive regional cooperation to combat these heinous crimes.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-25

 

 

Yet more negative international publicity for Thailand.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand is implicated as a crucial transit hub, particularly near Myanmar’s Karen State. The UN claims these scam centres exploit

 

Thai resources such as power and communication infrastructure to facilitate their operations. There are concerns that many victims are unjustly prosecuted rather than recognised as trafficking survivors.

Clean up your act Thailand.

16 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Clean up your act Thailand.

 Very much so before you start accusing Cambodia of aiding scammers!

I imagine the USA is involved in far more slave labour both currently and historically.  Thailand accounts for a tiny amount; and even then indirectly. 

The UN demands....555

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

 Very much so before you start accusing Cambodia of aiding scammers!

Exactly agree totally,

UN should clean up it's act, before pointing fingers at others.

Thailand will never change as long as your money involved TIT

4 hours ago, Magictoad said:

I imagine the USA is involved in far more slave labour both currently and historically.  Thailand accounts for a tiny amount; and even then indirectly. 

Irrelevant to this story, do you support Thailand's involvement in human trafficking

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

UN should clean up it's act, before pointing fingers at others.

Irrelevant to the story, do you support Thailand's involvement in human trafficking.

6 hours ago, WHansen said:

The UN demands....555

Thailand deserves UN demands.

What did the Thai government expect by wanting membership in the UN Human Rights Commission,  then immediately and secretly deports asylum seeking Uyghurs back to China, continues to prosecute trafficked Mynamar peoples into Thailand?

So if 555, the joke of irony is on Thailand

Perhaps the UN should show some concern about the gangs trafficking migrants around Europe,

Pot,  kettle, black 

Dire poverty in the neighboring nations(as well in Thailand)

are the fertile grounds to those lowlife criminals.

 

Mass of desperate people for cash income are often easy prey to the slavers; many of such victims lack sufficient education.

 

And their ignorance is also well taken advantage of by the organized crimes.