Deputy Foreign Minister: Thailand makes anti-human trafficking progress

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Deputy Foreign Minister: Thailand makes anti-human trafficking progress
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 13 -- The Thai government has tackled human trafficking well in the past six months and did it better than other countries in the same Tier 3 watch list of the United States, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

Solutions to human trafficking in the past six months were comprehensive, including legal efforts, and were made as a national agenda priority which led to improvements in many areas, Mr Don said.

"Regarding legal efforts, there is progress on three issues. A ministerial regulation was introduced to protect fishery workers. An anti-human trafficking law was passed to protect informants and authorities taking action. The National Legislative Assembly endorsed the fishery act to offer clearer protection to fishery workers and the fine ceiling is set at Bt30 million," the deputy foreign minister said.

Besides, 130 cases of human trafficking were handled and 104 people were punished in the past year and the national verification of 1.6 million illegal alien workers recently registered would finish within March, he said.

"Solutions to human trafficking must take time but I would like to assure that the government is determined to solve the problem and hopes it will be eliminated in the country as soon as possible. The human trafficking situation in the country is positive because the government is doing its best. Thailand is considered as performing better than other countries in the same tier," Mr Don said.

He also said past communications improved the United States' understanding and impression regarding the human trafficking situation in Thailand. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-01-13

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More is being done to fight trafficking: govt
Nuntida puangthong
The Nation

Despite legal changes being put in place, smuggling of Rohingya people continues

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has improved its practices towards anti-human trafficking campaigns over the past six months and will speed up its long-term efforts in fighting the abuse, Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said yesterday.

Despite the deputy minister's boast of progress on the issue, smuggling of Rohingya has continued unabated. In Nakhon Si Thammarat on Sunday, a five-vehicle convoy was intercepted by officials, who arrested two Thai drivers while three others fled.

A Rohingya woman was found dead in one of the vehicles, while some 98 other migrants, including 46 children were detained. The woman, aged about 20, died of extreme exhaustion, while survivors suffered starvation after two days of travel without food and water.

An update for the Trafficking in Persons Report 2015, organised by the US State Department, will be done on Thailand's progress over the past three and six months and will be completed in March, the deputy minister said.

He said the Prayut Chan-o-cha government had made suppression of human trafficking a top priority, while imposing stricter enforcement of relevant laws to effectively tackle human trafficking. The PM chairs a government committee to address the issue and run operations.

In terms of legal matters, Don said a set of ministerial regulations was promulgated on December 30 to set a minimum welfare standard for Thai and migrant crew members on fishing trawlers of all sizes; and a change in the anti-human trafficking law says that informants or complainants and officials doing relevant cases must be protected, while half of assets seized from any smugglers who are convicted will be given as compensated to victims.

The junta-installed National Legislative Assembly passed a law to better protect crew members and labourers in the fishing industry, while imposing fines of up to Bt30 million on violators. This law will take effect in the next 60 days.

NACC to investigate wrongdoing

Prayut had given the National Anti-Corruption Commission an extra Bt300 million for additional tasks to investigate into wrongdoing by corrupt officials aiding or benefitting from smuggling of migrant workers, Don said.

Don said 104 people who had broken the law had been convicted in 130 cases in court trials, while registration of migrant workers and identification of their nationality had surpassed 1.6 million. Those not yet registered have been given an extended deadline - March 31 - to become part of the process.

PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said officials were aware of people smuggling migrant workers and would take drastic action once concrete evidence has been obtained against these people and their financiers.

In related news, following yesterday's meeting of related agencies about the suppression of human trafficking, Social Development and Human Security Ministry's permanent secretary Wichien Chavalit said the draft of strategies and action guidelines would be ready in a week or two before it is submitted to the national committee for consideration.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/More-is-being-done-to-fight-trafficking-govt-30251765.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-13

[PatOngo]

You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

[chooka]

104 people punished. Just how we're they punished? Being told to stand in the corner for 10 minutes is hardly punishment. What about the government officials involved were they amongst those punished. This media release says nothing.

[slapout]

a romantic weekend, does not ensure a longterm relationship. Thailand has a reputation to overcome in traffiicing, treatment of all those involved as well as prevention.

we have improved for 6 months is like saying the probation we put the drug dealer on for 6 months will correct his/her wayward ways. man up, the way you are precieved has been self inflicted. come back ib 18 months and show real/concrete results in all 3 areas and present real longer term figures.

[Tatsujin]

You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

I'd have to disagree with your sentence and how it pertains to "Thailand" ... based on past performance, it seems you can indeed fool all/most of the people all/most of the time.

[HeijoshinCool]

Besides, 130 cases of human trafficking were handled and 104 people were punished in the past year ...

Probably the trafficked workers and sex slaves, for no work permit.

[Suffinator]

There are a number of ways to tackle human trafficking effectively here ... first start out by arresting all KNOWN perpetrators; it's common knowledge that police, army and other officials are involved.

Secondly the punishment needs to fit the crime ... simply transferring individuals to inactive or other posts is not the answer.

Try ...

1. the death penalty or if that is considered too harsh

2. 20 years on a Thai fishing trawlers ... subject them to the same abuse

[rickirs]

"Thailand is considered as performing better than other countries in the same tier," Mr Don said."

Okay, Thailand will be moved to the top of the Tier 3 list. All better Mr. Don?