Brown out Samui

[Jacob Maslow]

Laos and Thailand are working together to put an end to human trafficking within Thailand. Earlier this month, 100 Laotians were saved as a result.

Since 2011, more than 2,200 nationals have been sold in Thailand. The sex trade business comprises of 95% women with roughly 80% underage. A growing problem for the country, Laos and Thailand have joined together to combat trafficking. Recently, they saved 100 teenagers from Laos at the border who would have been sold into the sex trade.

The teenagers, all female, were saved in February upon investigation that all of the 100 teenagers were alone and crossing the Lao-Thai bridge that connects the countries together.

Thailand was recently rated as a tier 3 country by the United States. This rating indicates that Thailand does not make enough efforts to stop trafficking. The country is trying to show the world that it is doing everything in its power to stop the rising number of victims entering the country.

Reports state that there are tens of thousands of victims that are either sex slaves or forced to do labor. Most of those trafficked come from nearby countries and are either forced or coerced into the country.

Karaoke bars are a prime location for prostitutes, states Thailand. Recently, officials caught a group of 72, both girls and boys, working within 4 karaoke bars as prostitutes. Not surprisingly, all of the 72 fit between the ages of 13 and 20. All of those found were Laotian.

Thailand has boosted its attempt to put an end to trafficking. Laos indicates that since 2001, Thailand has rescued 2,200 Laotians from brothels. The agreement between the two countries will spark concern in traffickers. Securing the connecting bridge between the countries is the first step in the process.

Both countries have not released their plans as to saving those already sold into sex trade. Further attempts to save Laotians illegally sold into the sex trade business are expected in the coming months.

-- 2015-02-20

[arthurboy]

'Securing the...bridge...is...the first step...' And should have been done long, long ago.

The comment that 100 women traveled alone seems both very dubious and convenient. It also implies, if true, that - as they wouldn't know Thailand - the women would have had to have been met by someone to then move them on within the country.

Are the women screened before entering the country, do they speak Thai, why are they coming, who are their sponsors?

I just don't buy it. The report is full of holes, as usual.

The authorities need to take a long hard look at their so-called security arrangements and the people responsible for preventing human trafficking in the first place.

Invariably they will find corrupt and complicit 'officials' behind this horror.

[Trentham]

Laos and Thailand to Work Together.............

and share the profits

[Fullstop]

Why are the disgustingly lowly paid Cambodian and Burmese imported workers always ignored when this issue comes up?

[issanaus]

'Securing the...bridge...is...the first step...' And should have been done long, long ago.

The comment that 100 women traveled alone seems both very dubious and convenient. It also implies, if true, that - as they wouldn't know Thailand - the women would have had to have been met by someone to then move them on within the country.

Are the women screened before entering the country, do they speak Thai, why are they coming, who are their sponsors?

I just don't buy it. The report is full of holes, as usual.

The authorities need to take a long hard look at their so-called security arrangements and the people responsible for preventing human trafficking in the first place.

Invariably they will find corrupt and complicit 'officials' behind this horror.

Yes the bridges should have had a lot more attention long before now - but the whole boarder area is porous.

Language is not a problem because most of Issan is ethnic Lao Even my youngest adopted kid who is 6, speaks Isaan and has no difficulty understand most things that someone may say from across the border which is a number of hours away.

The last sentence - TIT

None of this is any justification for doing more. Some of what can be done has started in that there is more attention to attacking corruption and trying to curb prostitution.

Edited February 20, 2015 by issanaus