Thai Police Step Up Fight Against Human Trafficking and Abuse

Thai Police Step Up Fight Against Human Trafficking and Abuse

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has committed to strengthening measures against human trafficking, particularly focusing on child abuse, sexual exploitation, and online crime. Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan announced on Thursday that the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Centre would lead intensified operations. Last year, the police handled 279 cases, arrested 366 suspects, and assisted 317 victims, with the majority being sexual exploitation cases.

Crucially, 15 of these cases involved child labour, and online-related trafficking constituted 170 instances, surpassing half of all recorded cases. The campaign will focus heavily on child sexual abuse, sextortion, and other online threats, with a drive to heighten public awareness.

The Mirror Foundation highlighted a worrying trend of teenagers aged 15–18 being lured into trafficking via online job advertisements promising high pay, leading to confinement and forced labour.

Six Thai children remain stranded abroad, awaiting assistance to return home, according to the foundation's report. In 2022, there were 265 missing children cases recorded, with runaways being the most common. Pol Lt Gen Trairong warned the public about risky overseas job offers, which often result in passport confiscation and involvement in criminal networks.

Families are urged to report missing persons immediately, and parents are advised to be extra cautious, especially during public events like National Children's Day, to avoid incidents of separation or targeting, reported the Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• The Royal Thai Police targets human trafficking with a focus on online crimes.

• 279 cases were recorded last year, with child labour and online exploitation as key concerns.

• Police emphasise immediate reporting and caution against dubious job offers.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-09