Police Raise Alarm Over Rising Online Human Trafficking

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Police have raised alarms over the increasing risk to children and young people from online human trafficking. New reports show a significant rise in internet-linked trafficking cases in 2025, leading the Royal Thai Police to boost nationwide enforcement efforts. Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot emphasizes prioritizing these measures in response to shifting criminal strategies.

In 2025, the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre recorded 279 trafficking cases, marking a decrease of 22.5% from the previous year's 360 cases. Despite this decrease, police issued warrants and pursued charges against 366 suspects, rescuing 317 victims. Among these, 213 victims were children and young people.

Most cases, 246 in total, involved sexual exploitation, while forced labour cases numbered 33, some linked to call-centre scams. A concerning trend is the 170 cases conducted through online channels, illustrating the rise of cyber-enabled trafficking, which accounts for over half of the cases. "Criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms for recruitment and exploitation," Pol Gen Thatchai noted.

Police efforts will now focus more on combating online sexual exploitation, sextortion, and trafficking within the fishing industry. Initiatives will include public education campaigns aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, particularly minors, from digital manipulation and coercion.

Authorities in Thailand are committed to the National Referral Mechanism, a framework to identify and support potential victims of modern slavery. Specific attention is directed towards groups at risk of being lured into call centre scams in neighboring countries. The police also intend to enhance officers' skills to counter emerging threats effectively.

Additionally, a police-linked Facebook page has cautioned against a new scam where fraudsters use "vertical series" clips to promise viewers quick earnings, only to result in financial losses or data theft, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Online human trafficking cases form over half of the recorded cases in 2025.

• New strategies include prioritizing child safety and enhancing public awareness.

• Authorities remain focused on dismantling call centre scam networks.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-06