NLA passes anti-human trafficking bill

[Lite Beer]

NLA passes anti-human trafficking bill

BANGKOK: -- A bill to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act is set to be put in force after it was passed in the third reading on Thursday by the National Legislative Assembly.

The NLA passed the amendment bill with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions.

The amendment will become effective after it is published in the Royal Gazette.

Earlier on March 5 the NLA voted 177-0 with five abstentions to pass the amendment draft, which was proposed by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

When the legislative draft was tabled to the NLA for deliberation, Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol Gen AdulSangsingkeo explained that human trafficking is worsening and becoming more complicated, and penalties under the law as it stands are no longer a sufficient deterrent.

Some cases of human trafficking are linked to transnational criminal syndicates.

Therefore, the existing law needed to be amended to address these problems, he said.

The minister said incentives are included in the amendments to urge people who witness human trafficking to provide information to authorities.

A prevention and suppression of human trafficking committee, chaired by the prime minister, will oversee the law, including tougher inspections of frequent offenders, such as employers in factories and the fishing industry.

If human trafficking is found in these places, authorities can order a temporary halt to their operations and their operator’s licence will be immediately suspended.

People who provide clues leading to the discovery of illegal activities will come under the protection of the authorities. No civil and criminal charges will be filed against them, even if they were involved at an earlier stage in the offense.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nla-passes-anti-human-trafficking-bill

-- Thai PBS 2015-03-26

[bangkokfrog]

Nothing like some law changes and comforting words thanks to pressure from slave-supporting sea-food companies.

But I doubt (hope) that the U.S. and others won't be fooled by this attempt at smoke and mirrors. What about all the existing laws that have had a blind eye turned to them for so long... and by all governments !!!.

[JOC]

More empty words which only purpose is to protect 200 billion baht worth of exports!!

[FireMedic]

Let me know when the highest level people involved in profiting from this goes to jail and their assets seized. Until then, I'll go back to what I was doing.

[NeverSure]

It must be Thursday.

[yellowboat]

Hope they patted themselves on the back afterwards on a job well done. No kingpins will ever go to jail. They are too rich and powerful.

[Srikcir]

Compared to the typical rubberstamp legislation, this bill seems to be one of the most contentious!

Passed on a 3rd reading with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions.

Usually NLA passes NCPO bills on the 1st reading with the usual no objections and three absentees.

What is more interesting is seeing all the legislation being passed by the NLA solely in response to Western democracies criticism towards undemocratic institutions and failures in Thailand. If the Junta was left to its own devices, the only legislation would simply be anything that contributed to the Junta's strangulation of the Thais people's sovereignty.

[webfact]

Trafficking to carry death penalty
REUTERS

BANGKOK: -- PARLIAMENT VOTED overwhelmingly yesterday to introduce harsher punishments for human traffickers, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in cases where their victims had died.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted to amend the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in the third reading.

The changes will allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty and fines of up to Bt400,000 for those convicted of trafficking offences, Police General Chatchawan Suksomjit said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Trafficking-to-carry-death-penalty-30256839.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-27

[FireMedic]

Trafficking to carry death penalty

REUTERS

BANGKOK: -- PARLIAMENT VOTED overwhelmingly yesterday to introduce harsher punishments for human traffickers, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in cases where their victims had died.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted to amend the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in the third reading.

The changes will allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty and fines of up to Bt400,000 for those convicted of trafficking offences, Police General Chatchawan Suksomjit said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Trafficking-to-carry-death-penalty-30256839.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-27

The fine print should read "Unless the person convicted is a politician, police officer, immigration officer, military personnel, or any other connected appointee."

[CiaranO]

I wonder what three guys voted against it. Anyway no point having laws if no one actually implement them.

[Denim]

This ruling will be as respected and enforced as the crash helmet laws or anti prostitution legislation.

Anyway the great leader has ordered the press not to spotlight this problem as it puts Thailand in a bad light. On a much more serious level he asked what would happen if the world stopped buying fish from Thailand ? Had the press considered this before printing their stories ?

[retarius]

Nothing like some law changes and comforting words thanks to pressure from slave-supporting sea-food companies.

But I doubt (hope) that the U.S. and others won't be fooled by this attempt at smoke and mirrors. What about all the existing laws that have had a blind eye turned to them for so long... and by all governments !!!.

I wonder who the 3 legislators were who voted against this bill.

[webfact]

Thailand Takes a Stance Against Human Trafficking With New Laws

The Thailand parliament paved the way for stricter punishments against human trafficking on Thursday. The news comes as many countries have urged Thailand to reform current laws and take a stronger stance against trafficking.

The vote ensures that punishments will fit the crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812271-thailand-takes-a-stance-against-human-trafficking-with-new-laws/

[lucky11]

Nothing like some law changes and comforting words thanks to pressure from slave-supporting sea-food companies.

But I doubt (hope) that the U.S. and others won't be fooled by this attempt at smoke and mirrors. What about all the existing laws that have had a blind eye turned to them for so long... and by all governments !!!.

I wonder who the 3 legislators were who voted against this bill.

Why? what is your suspicion on this?

[kalbz]

If Australia brought in the death penalty or life imprisonment for human traffickers the illegal boat people coming to it's shores would stop overnight. But the UN would never accept this. No, Australia even gives a foreign human trafficker a job & free apartment in Canberra, such was the case a few years ago. Australia likes to name them "Human Traffickers" in Thailand, while it names them "people Smugglers" in it's own country, for political correctness. The ABC documentary shows how hypocritical Australia is when it comes to foreign affairs.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/05/31/3515475.htm

[ChrisY1]

Only a couple of days ago, the good general blasted a reporter for writing about this issue......it would appear that the general had no idea that AP had already released the same story....

But the pressure is now on the Thai govt. to do something besides just make laws and talk.

Now he has "vowed" to go after the owners of vessels that use slaves......which could be interesting how it pans out......many of these fishing fleet owners live at the top end of town!!

[LuckyLew]

Passing a bill is all nice and good and makes for good print

but getting people to obey and respect it is another ... and getting people to actively enforce it

[Emster23]

Are they going to have a go at some Navy types who were implicated in this?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Knowing the justice system in Thailand they will probably execute the slaves and let the top ring leaders run free.

[rubl]

Compared to the typical rubberstamp legislation, this bill seems to be one of the most contentious!

Passed on a 3rd reading with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions.

Usually NLA passes NCPO bills on the 1st reading with the usual no objections and three absentees.

What is more interesting is seeing all the legislation being passed by the NLA solely in response to Western democracies criticism towards undemocratic institutions and failures in Thailand. If the Junta was left to its own devices, the only legislation would simply be anything that contributed to the Junta's strangulation of the Thais people's sovereignty.

Oh come on rickers, be fair. This has nothing to do with the junta, previous 'democratic' governments in Thailand had the same attitude.

What puzzles me about the topic may be a wee bit off topic

"The NLA passed the amendment bill with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions."

Didn't we have regulations put in place that NLA members could only be absent with permission and should / must be in parliament mostly? So, what explains the 54 members not counted?

[rubl]

Trafficking to carry death penalty

REUTERS

BANGKOK: -- PARLIAMENT VOTED overwhelmingly yesterday to introduce harsher punishments for human traffickers, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in cases where their victims had died.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted to amend the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in the third reading.

The changes will allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty and fines of up to Bt400,000 for those convicted of trafficking offences, Police General Chatchawan Suksomjit said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Trafficking-to-carry-death-penalty-30256839.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-27

The fine print should read "Unless the person convicted is a politician, police officer, immigration officer, military personnel, or any other connected appointee."

And assuming the bill will not be contended by Human Rights groups who are normally opposed to 'death penalties' even in cases like 'human trafficking'

[Chris Lawrence]

Compared to the typical rubberstamp legislation, this bill seems to be one of the most contentious!

Passed on a 3rd reading with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions.

Usually NLA passes NCPO bills on the 1st reading with the usual no objections and three absentees.

What is more interesting is seeing all the legislation being passed by the NLA solely in response to Western democracies criticism towards undemocratic institutions and failures in Thailand. If the Junta was left to its own devices, the only legislation would simply be anything that contributed to the Junta's strangulation of the Thais people's sovereignty.

Oh come on rickers, be fair. This has nothing to do with the junta, previous 'democratic' governments in Thailand had the same attitude.

What puzzles me about the topic may be a wee bit off topic

"The NLA passed the amendment bill with a vote of 160-3 with three abstentions."

Didn't we have regulations put in place that NLA members could only be absent with permission and should / must be in parliament mostly? So, what explains the 54 members not counted?

At least the handpicked members know which side their bread is buttered?

[SinCityGr8One]

Death Penalty? Big Deal. Thailand's last executioner, Chavoret Jaruboon died on 30 April 2012 at the age of 64. I am not aware of anyone being appointed to fill the position.

[rubl]

Death Penalty? Big Deal. Thailand's last executioner, Chavoret Jaruboon died on 30 April 2012 at the age of 64. I am not aware of anyone being appointed to fill the position.

It's the thought that counts, ask the Human Right Watch groups.

[BestBitterPhuket]

Very good! These are heinous crimes and the perpetrators should be put to death. The new government is fulfilling step one, which is legislation. Will they deliver on step two, which is prosecution? If the influential Thais involved in human trafficking are caught and given harsh sentences, then I will believe.

[26vinny]

what are they gonna do with the traffickers move them to inactive posts. answer to all thai problems, the whole world can see this circus, except thais, pretty sad really come back Billy Smart more entertainment there for sure, but legal

[maidee]

death penalty, lol ...

they admit = half of a death penalty ?

plus some nice pardon on top