webfact Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONAnxious wait for TIP reportPiyanut TumnukasetchaiPetchanet PratruangkraiThe NationThailand fears downgrade in human trafficking report could draw US sanctionsBANGKOK: -- Thailand awaits with bated breath the release today for the 2014 "Trafficking in Persons" (TIP) Report by US Secretary of State John Kerry, with the threat of a downgrade over its poor practices and inadequate efforts to eliminate human trafficking, which would bring the risk of sanctions.As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the TIP Report assesses governmental efforts around the world to combat modern slavery, according to the US Department of State.Thailand is currently on the Tier 2 Watch List, the second-lowest rank, and could fall further if the US sees no improvement or progress in Thai efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Dropping to Tier 3 status could theoretically bring the threat of US sanctions.The country has escaped from being downgraded to Tier 3 for four years and officials in the Foreign and Justice ministries are confident that it will survive another year.Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary Chanchao Chaiyanukij said Thai law enforcement on human trafficking had improved."We have reports on prosecution of human traffickers and we showed the US that we have put in a lot of effort to fight trafficking," he said. "I think we will escape from sanctions, and be upgraded."There were 627 cases concerning human trafficking under prosecution. The court has sentenced 225 traffickers and many of them were jailed for more than two years, according to statistics of the Department of Special Investigation.The authorities have explained to the US the improvement in manufacturing processes where Washington sees heavy use of child and forced labour, Chanchao said.However, there were worries that a recent media report about the use of forced labour by Charoen Pokphand Foods in its production chain might be taken into consideration in the report.The Thai treatment of Rohingya boat refugees is also problematic. Thai officials were accused of trading the refugees to traffickers and media reports on this matter were heavily discussed in the US Congress recently during the consideration of the draft TIP Report.A status downgrade and sanctions would affect many sectors of the economy, notably the labour-intensive fishery and food industries.Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, said Thai shrimp farmers and enterprises would be closely monitoring the report today. If Thailand were downgraded, exports could be affected, he said.He pointed out that if Thailand were moved to Tier 3, the US would boycott Thai products, mainly fishery products. Some private companies are already planning a worst-case scenario by negotiating with trading partners to continue their businesses.Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said manufacturers were hoping that the US would not downgrade Thailand's status, as the country has put in significant efforts to get rid off illegal labour in many industries.He urged the US to evaluate the labour situation without political prejudice. Poj added that if Thailand were downgraded, it would immediately affect the country's image among other countries, but for exports many factors could be considered in the long run.-- The Nation 2014-06-20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chooka Posted June 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 19, 2014 If it doesn't go Thailand's way then slap a defamation charge on the U.S. That seems to be the way this issue is handled in Thailand, anyone who speaks out about Thailand's Trafficking gets sued. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdietz Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Do something or Thai Pornography products will forever be tainted... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Payboy Posted June 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 19, 2014 Lucy Thai will be devastated. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siampolee Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NongKhaiKid Posted June 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 19, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Over the years so many leading Americans have said " the US isn't the world's policeman " yet the country keeps on acting as if it is. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timewilltell Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 So Thailand has made 'significant efforts' to improve which is why it is so transparent about the issue and actively encourages companies to clean up their act and encourages journalists to report on the whole clean up campaign the Thai government has been waging against human trafficking, slave labour and so on. The truth is not hard to see if you go looking for it. Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seastallion Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Ahhhhh, ok, the US has some cases of cheap slave labour, so that makes it OK for Thailand to actively encourage (by turning a blind eye) the ferocious and inhumane slave trade. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seastallion Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 "The court has sentenced 225 traffickers and many of them were jailed for more than two years, according to statistics of the Department of Special Investigation." VVTF? "many" and not all? Less than 2 years!? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siampolee Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) Seastallion post # 8 Ahhhhh, ok, the US has some cases of cheap slave labour, so that makes it OK for Thailand to actively encourage (by turning a blind eye) the ferocious and inhumane slave trade. I also pointed out that the U.K. suffered from such matters as well,however I did neglect to mention that just about every semi and fully developed industrial country in the world suffers from the same blight. But if one wishes to cast stones one should be innocent of the charges one is laying. The problem is not the country. It is ''human nature,'' (greed and need) , the problem is people, those who want cheap labour and those who seek employment so as to better their lifestyles and live as opposed to existing. Edited June 20, 2014 by siampolee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumper101 Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 '"We have reports on prosecution of human traffickers and we showed the US that we have put in a lot of effort to fight trafficking," he said. "I think we will escape from sanctions, and be upgraded."' This guy has been sniffing glue or something. Kerry has a cob on with Thailand at the moment, and add that to the recent scandal with CP and their supply chain of slaves via the Guardian report... To think that he actually thinks there will be an UPGRADE is crazy... they will be very lucky to stay in the present tier if anything. Also, I bet these DSI reports are all faked... The US are not dumb, this place is the hub of fake everything including passports, ID cards, Rolex watches and obviously now... human trafficking convictions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UbonRatch Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 '"We have reports on prosecution of human traffickers and we showed the US that we have put in a lot of effort to fight trafficking," he said. "I think we will escape from sanctions, and be upgraded."' This guy has been sniffing glue or something. Kerry has a cob on with Thailand at the moment, and add that to the recent scandal with CP and their supply chain of slaves via the Guardian report... To think that he actually thinks there will be an UPGRADE is crazy... they will be very lucky to stay in the present tier if anything. Also, I bet these DSI reports are all faked... The US are not dumb, this place is the hub of fake everything including passports, ID cards, Rolex watches and obviously now... human trafficking convictions. Methinks he needs a round of golf.... ....with these: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10892219/Boobs-bums-and-golf-Who-the-hell-designs-Fathers-Day-gifts.html Funny article by the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bluespunk Posted June 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) "A status downgrade and sanctions would affect many sectors of the economy, notably the labour-intensive fishery and food industries." So sanctions would affect the industries that rely on slave labour or slave labour like conditions the most.......good. Edited June 20, 2014 by Bluespunk 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 All of this is just a case of not understanding Thailand and how it's Thainess makes it unique in the world...just ask any Thai govt official (and maybe just any Thai). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selftaopath Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Poj added that if Thailand were downgraded, it would immediately affect the country's image among other countries LOL Does Lack of Sanctions (LOS) think other countries believe the "save face" mentality of Thai words/statements ? That's the real concern eh? How Thailand "looks" lol not how it is. Oh man. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokheat Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 "the country has put in significant efforts to get rid off illegal labour in many industries." you see, thailand is active in getting rid of the illegal labour problem, near all the workers from myanmar and cambodia have fled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Seastallion Posted June 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2014 Seastallion post # 8 Ahhhhh, ok, the US has some cases of cheap slave labour, so that makes it OK for Thailand to actively encourage (by turning a blind eye) the ferocious and inhumane slave trade. I also pointed out that the U.K. suffered from such matters as well,however I did neglect to mention that just about every semi and fully developed industrial country in the world suffers from the same blight. But if one wishes to cast stones one should be innocent of the charges one is laying. The problem is not the country. It is ''human nature,'' (greed and need) , the problem is people, those who want cheap labour and those who seek employment so as to better their lifestyles and live as opposed to existing. I take your point, but if we all followed Jesus' "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone", our prisons would be empty and no punishments would ever be made to anyone. I think the point is, America (and the UK and whatever other country endorses the anti-trafficking treaty, do actively try to stem the trade and the practice, and thereby are higher on the so-called righteous horse. If America doesn't condemn Thailand, who will? Good on them, I say. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searat7 Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 If Thailand is not downgraded I think it will be because of the coup and the USA's confidence in the junta to make substantial improvements quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaidiver Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 God help us all if they cut Thailands pornography exports, the economy will plummet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1plumber Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Over the years so many leading Americans have said " the US isn't the world's policeman " yet the country keeps on acting as if it is. I don't know that this really constitutes a police action. It's more of "If you want this money, jump through this hoop" sort of thing. I like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pmarlin Posted June 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Ahhhhh, ok, the US has some cases of cheap slave labour, so that makes it OK for Thailand to actively encourage (by turning a blind eye) the ferocious and inhumane slave trade. and the difference is that the US does something about it when discovered and the guilty go to jail. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mesquite Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Why would Thailand give a sh_t? They didn't when the US imposed sanctions over the coup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halion Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Do not think the recent mass exodus of the 180,000 Cambodians will do much to help bolster Thailand's reputation and efforts in this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Baerboxer Posted June 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Yes there is. But those countries are all trying to do something about it. And don't have repressive defamation laws that can be used to suppress the truth becoming public. Slight difference. Edited June 20, 2014 by Baerboxer 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 If Thailand is not downgraded I think it will be because of the coup and the USA's confidence in the junta to make substantial improvements quickly. Then you need to think harder and do some research of the past performance of previous administrations. Do you really think the new military government can put years of corrupt practices to right in a few months? I'm don't think the USA's confidence in the previous regime to tackle this, or indeed anything, would have been higher, do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Over the years so many leading Americans have said " the US isn't the world's policeman " yet the country keeps on acting as if it is. I believe your statement is wrong in this particular case as the US is rather acting as an educated consumer and not like a policeman: if Thailand were moved to Tier 3, the US would boycott Thai products, mainly fishery products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benmart Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback The report and the program I believe is US created and administered. All other countries are certainly free to create their own version and use it as a tool such as it used now. I don't think any are interested or capable of doing so, but then I may be wrong. Like it or not, it is effective to a degree and the US does a good job keeping its own house clean in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kleelof Posted June 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2014 Of course there are no cases of ''human trafficking and illegals in working as cheap slave labour in the U.S or elsewhere for that matter are there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Morecambe_Bay_cockling_disaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback Over the years so many leading Americans have said " the US isn't the world's policeman " yet the country keeps on acting as if it is. I believe you are misunderstanding the situation. This is not a case of policing. U.S. Laws require evaluations of countries who receive funds from the U.S. government. Similar to how they cut back some military aid when the coup happened. This TIP report is just that. The U.S. sends money to Thailand for social, educational and military support. It would be irresponsible of them to send money to a country that allows something like human trafficking go unchecked. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterbkk9 Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 "Thailand fears downgrade in human trafficking report could draw US sanctions" The country seems more concerned about the sanctions than the issue of human trafficking itself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleelof Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 No doubt a negative report will bring about more anti-American propaganda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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