Thailand slammed over Rohingya

[webfact]

HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Thailand slammed over Rohingya
The Nation

US congressmen warn failure in humane treatment could lead to sanctions

BANGKOK: -- LAWMAKERS in the United States have urged the administration of President Barack Obama to punish Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia for not doing enough to fight human trafficking, accusing Thai officials of selling Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to traffickers.

Republican Representative Chris Smith called on the administration to downgrade Thailand and Malaysia unless the authorities in these countries showed progress on the protection of the Rohingya refugees.

Thailand and Malaysia are transit places for Rohingya migrants who flee from harsh persecution in Myanmar, he told a House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on tier rankings and the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report on Tuesday.

"According to reports put out by Reuters, Thai authorities are selling Rohingya to human traffickers, where they are held in 'tropical gulags' until relatives pay ransom," Smith said.

Those who do not pay are sold into sex slavery or hard labour and many die from abuse or disease, he said.

Thai authorities did little to prevent this situation, he said, adding that the Rohingya migrants are always sent to Malaysia, where they are also exploited as workers.

Myanmar is the source of the refugee problem because of its policies of discrimination, harsh persecution and violence, which force Rohingya to leave the country as boat people, he said.

In the report, "Tier 1" countries are those meeting anti-trafficking standards. "Tier 2" do not but are making a significant effort to do so. "Tier 3" countries do not meet the standards and do not make significant efforts to do so.

Tier 3 countries are open to sanction by the US government. A US law also includes a watch list, in which countries on Tier 2 for two years are downgraded to Tier 3 unless they receive presidential waivers, available for two additional years.

Thailand is on the Tier 2 watch list.

Mark Lagon, a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, said in his testimony on Tuesday that Thailand was on the cusp of an automatic downgrade to Tier 3.

"Public unrest and shaky rule of law in the last year are no pretext for not telling it like it is in the TIP 2014 report," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-05-02

[rhythmworx]

When the Phillipines got downgraded the dens of inquity started getting raided in AC and Manila.

I guess if it happens to LOS the price of teabags will suddenly become a lot more expensive.

[LuckyLew]

I guess now the the Thais accused will sue the US government

[issanaus]

All sides of Thai politics have been trying to get clear USA comments on Thai politics and administration

Now they have it

[geriatrickid]

All sides of Thai politics have been trying to get clear USA comments on Thai politics and administration

Now they have it

The EU has made similar comments.

[chainarong]

Once again Thailand is being questioned over it's track record , there is systematic failure from departmental heads down , there is no skills in administration , delegation of duties failure and lack of policing, this applies to most government departments , they seem to waffle through the maze of antiquated rules, there seems to be a denial syndrome emitting from the ruling party on anything that resembles a UN fact, it is time Thailand stood up and started being counted, however the leaders of the country over time have discouraged any participation of world standards by the sub - education system, the root of all problems in Thailand.

[Langsuan Man]

Well that is one less US Congressman that will come to Thailand on a junket at tax payers expense

I am sure there is some part of the Thai government that will want to slap him with a defamation suit for his statements

[ChrisY1]

It should be a huge wake-up message to Thailand....Surapong should be out there hammering his mates in the various fishing, canning and any other industry that uses foreign labour...clean up their acts or risk closure.....but of course, they'll wait until it's too late..in all likelyhood, get downgraded to Tier 3.....risk sanctions, add this to the current political issues....a mess!

In the meantime, to save some face, excuses will now start to appear in the media....the US is wrong...the UN is wrong....etc..etc...

[Dibbler]

Not just a centre for human trafficking (Royhinga, Uighurs, Lao and Thai women and minors), but also for ivory, tigers, pangolins, rosewood, class A drugs (almost daily a report on Thai Visa), weapons and other contraband. Despite huge investments in training, equipment and support by NGOs for Thai police, DNP and other enforcement agencies, and participation in international partnerships (UN, ASEAN), agreements (CITES) and treaties, most of this illegal trade still involves complicit officials working with highly organized gangs. In this situation Thailand has begun an extremely lawless and dangerous country, and severe economic sanctions, making politicians personally accountable for the agencies and civil servants they administer, and major overhauls of those enforcement agencies are the only path for reform.

[noitom]

If the Thai writers actually read the Chris Smith report, they will discover that the committee zeros in on Thailand's massive human trafficking racketeering and network of slave trade for sex, cheap indentured labor or extortion of money or both. The spotlight has been turned up on Thailand by the quoted Reuters investigative news breakthrough story. The UN should be sending troops in to the Thai southern provinces to halt this human trafficking in Thailand.

[NongKhaiKid]

Not just a centre for human trafficking (Royhinga, Uighurs, Lao and Thai women and minors), but also for ivory, tigers, pangolins, rosewood, class A drugs (almost daily a report on Thai Visa), weapons and other contraband. Despite huge investments in training, equipment and support by NGOs for Thai police, DNP and other enforcement agencies, and participation in international partnerships (UN, ASEAN), agreements (CITES) and treaties, most of this illegal trade still involves complicit officials working with highly organized gangs. In this situation Thailand has begun an extremely lawless and dangerous country, and severe economic sanctions, making politicians personally accountable for the agencies and civil servants they administer, and major overhauls of those enforcement agencies are the only path for reform.

But they are not Thai peepen, mai pen rai

[spidermike007]

Once again Thailand is being questioned over it's track record , there is systematic failure from departmental heads down , there is no skills in administration , delegation of duties failure and lack of policing, this applies to most government departments , they seem to waffle through the maze of antiquated rules, there seems to be a denial syndrome emitting from the ruling party on anything that resembles a UN fact, it is time Thailand stood up and started being counted, however the leaders of the country over time have discouraged any participation of world standards by the sub - education system, the root of all problems in Thailand.

Absolutely correct. All of it. There seems to be little or no proactive policies on the part of this "government". Little in the way of vision. No coherent policies. Not much creativity. Really very little governing of any sort. The country is rudderless. The inability of the Thai Govt. to come to the aid of oppressed neighbors is really quite sad. I suppose they do not want to disrupt the Burmese gas supplies? We would not want to upset the pig generals over there, who still exert as much control as they did 5 years ago. Somehow, they got the western media to buy into this reform nonsense. I am told the Chinese exerted tremendous pressure on the west, to ease the sanctions, so that they could get cheaper supplies for their thousands of mines, factories, and other operations. The Chinese have basically taken over Burma.

[alfalfa19]

Very good. This is what's needed to get the creeps running this trade motivated.

[simple1]

Take a look at Tier Three sanctions that could be imposed by the US, not exactly earth shattering for the Thai Government, other than further loss of reputation.

http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164221.htm

[HeavyDrinker]

These US 'Lawmakers" should be careful. The Thai Navy will be suing them or that barmy doctor bloke will be trumping up Lese Majeste charges on them....

[Luk Mhee]

Well what do you expect, if the reports allege that some Thai government officials collaborate with traffickers by transferring Rohingya held in Thailand to the custody of the trafficking cartel. And they say that there are eyewitness accounts alleging that “some Rohingya women and minors were sold to sex traders in southern Thailand”

[thailiketoo]

If the Thai writers actually read the Chris Smith report, they will discover that the committee zeros in on Thailand's massive human trafficking racketeering and network of slave trade for sex, cheap indentured labor or extortion of money or both. The spotlight has been turned up on Thailand by the quoted Reuters investigative news breakthrough story. The UN should be sending troops in to the Thai southern provinces to halt this human trafficking in Thailand.

From the report, " he said, adding that the Rohingya migrants are always sent to Malaysia, where they are also exploited as workers. Myanmar is the source of the refugee problem because of its policies of discrimination, harsh persecution and violence, which force Rohingya to leave the country as boat people, he said."

[RIJoe]

I'm an ex-pat, get your own house in order!

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Thai at Heart]

Not just a centre for human trafficking (Royhinga, Uighurs, Lao and Thai women and minors), but also for ivory, tigers, pangolins, rosewood, class A drugs (almost daily a report on Thai Visa), weapons and other contraband. Despite huge investments in training, equipment and support by NGOs for Thai police, DNP and other enforcement agencies, and participation in international partnerships (UN, ASEAN), agreements (CITES) and treaties, most of this illegal trade still involves complicit officials working with highly organized gangs. In this situation Thailand has begun an extremely lawless and dangerous country, and severe economic sanctions, making politicians personally accountable for the agencies and civil servants they administer, and major overhauls of those enforcement agencies are the only path for reform.

This is the obvious advantage of being a hub as they keep.telling us.

Hubtastic

[Maroon Watcher]

... or just shoot them 15 times

I guess now the the Thais accused will sue the US government

[Maroon Watcher]

Egypt a place for cultural holidays - But Muslim brother is KILLING Muslim brother.

Myanmar: Human trafficking of Muslim brothers to Muslim brothers for PROFIT

Thailand: Buddhist children killing Buddhist children for PRIDE.

Funny thing this Religion

[bigbamboo]

Egypt a place for cultural holidays - But Muslim brother is KILLING Muslim brother.

Myanmar: Human trafficking of Muslim brothers to Muslim brothers for PROFIT

Thailand: Buddhist children killing Buddhist children for PRIDE.

Funny thing this Religion

Man's biggest mistake was creating God.

[thailiketoo]

Myanmar is the source of the refugee problem because of its policies of discrimination, harsh persecution and violence. Odd idea probably but has anyone thought of chastising Burma for treating these poor people in such a way that they leave on rickety boats and get trafficked? I mean, first things first. There would not be a problem in Thailand if the people didn't want to leave Burma.

[issanaus]

Egypt a place for cultural holidays - But Muslim brother is KILLING Muslim brother.

Myanmar: Human trafficking of Muslim brothers to Muslim brothers for PROFIT

Thailand: Buddhist children killing Buddhist children for PRIDE.

Funny thing this Religion

Man's biggest mistake was creating God.

Gods greatest creation was woman

[oldsailor35]

And meanwhile some stupid Thai Admiral persists in sueing the media because they have revealed the RTN involvement in the Rohinga atrocities. If he had any brains he would have shut up. But no! he decides that because he is in a high Thai place that he is immune.

Now Mr Royal Thai Navy Admiral, meet the rest of the world, serves you right.

Edited May 2, 2014 by oldsailor35

[zydeco]

Just a note about the congressman, Chris Smith, apparently referred to in the OP. He is an anti-abortion zealot. And he is all but an emissary of the Vatican in US and world politics. He has stuck his nose into just about every country's domestic affairs, also complaining, for example, about policing in the UK. Not only has he complained about Thailand but every country in SE Asia, Russia, China, Turkey, most of Africa, large parts of South America. Just about everywhere--except the US.

[Prbkk]

They have led with their chin on this issue and it's going to get a thousand times worse

[issanaus]

Myanmar is the source of the refugee problem because of its policies of discrimination, harsh persecution and violence. Odd idea probably but has anyone thought of chastising Burma for treating these poor people in such a way that they leave on rickety boats and get trafficked? I mean, first things first. There would not be a problem in Thailand if the people didn't want to leave Burma.

Most of them don't want to leave - but again they don't want to die either

[Thai at Heart]

Just a note about the congressman, Chris Smith, apparently referred to in the OP. He is an anti-abortion zealot. And he is all but an emissary of the Vatican in US and world politics. He has stuck his nose into just about every country's domestic affairs, also complaining, for example, about policing in the UK. Not only has he complained about Thailand but every country in SE Asia, Russia, China, Turkey, most of Africa, large parts of South America. Just about everywhere--except the US.

Well on this issue he is right, so your point is? And if he wants to have a go about human rights in China or elsewhere, good luck to him I say.

[thailiketoo]

Myanmar is the source of the refugee problem because of its policies of discrimination, harsh persecution and violence. Odd idea probably but has anyone thought of chastising Burma for treating these poor people in such a way that they leave on rickety boats and get trafficked? I mean, first things first. There would not be a problem in Thailand if the people didn't want to leave Burma.

Most of them don't want to leave - but again they don't want to die either

The Burmese are threatening them with death. It would be my idea (I know a radical concept) to stop the Burmese from killing their people because they are not Buddhist.