Thai PM to 'respect' US decision in Trafficking Report

[webfact]

Junta Chairman to 'Respect' US Decision in Trafficking Report
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he will accept Thailand's ranking in the United States' annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which is scheduled for release tonight.

Gen. Prayuth said he has already been unofficially informed about the results of the 2015 assessment, but told reporters that courtesy forbids him from making the announcement before American officials.

"It's a courtesy to let the people who set the rules speak about this. We [should] only speak about what we have done," Gen. Prayuth said.

In last year's report, Thailand was downgraded to Tier 3, the lowest rank possible, for failing to meet the minimum requirements to combat human trafficking across its borders.

Thai officials have expressed hope in recent months that the country will be upgraded in this year’s report, which is scheduled for release at 9pm Thai time on Monday, because of the government’s efforts to crackdown on trafficking networks since the May 2014 coup that brought Gen. Prayuth into power.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1437984036


-- Khaosod English 2015-07-27

[rkidlad]

You'll respect their decision? Of course you will, boy.

[DM07]

Isn't he mercyfull?

[Always18]

I didn't realise that these T.I.P. reports contain a section allowing the named nation to either "respect" or "disrespect" the contents.....................

[Thailand]

Must do better perhaps?

[webfact]

Minister of labor: Thailand does utmost in fighting human trafficking

BANGKOK, 27 July 2015 (NNT) - Minister of Labor Gen. Surasak Kanjanarat has confirmed that Thai government has done its best to tackle human trafficking, saying Thailand will adhere to its anti-human strategy no matter how the results of the U.S.’ 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report turn out.

The Thai government's urgent solutions to human trafficking were testament to its determination and sincerity to deal with the problem. Many high-ranking officers alleged of involvement in human trafficking had been arrested and prosecuted, Gen. Surasak said.

Thailand was downgraded to a Tier 3 ranking in the 2014 TIP report. The U.S. Department of State is scheduled to publish its 2015 TIP report on 27 July 2015.


-- NNT 2015-07-27

[simonuk]

Because they are hitching their horse to the Chinese. ."<deleted> the west and their morals...the Chinese understand us better."

[dcutman]

Many high-ranking officers alleged of involvement in human trafficking had been arrested and prosecuted, Gen. Surasak said.

That in itself is disturbing, but I believe what really shows is convictions or should I say the lack of.

[Briggsy]

When I was a kid, I would wait for the release of the charts with excitement, listening on my transistor radio.

[chainarong]

Because they are hitching their horse to the Chinese. ."<deleted> the west and their morals...the Chinese understand us better."

Your understanding of what , as I understand it the Chinese connection hasn't even kicked in yet, but you will understand it when it dose.

[chainarong]

One is not bothered either way what Prime Minister Prayut-O thinks, it is the impression in the greater world that Thailand needs to understand , where nations have poor human rights records they generally have poor governance also.

[webfact]

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT
Thailand has done best to tackle trafficking : Surasak

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Surasak Kanjanarat reiterated that his government has done its best to tackle human trafficking.

"Thailand will adhere to its anti-human strategy no matter how the results of the U.S.' 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report turn out," he said.

He was speaking as the US is scheduled to release the latest TIP report tonight (Bangkok time). It last year downgraded Thailand to the lowest rank of countries that failed to tackle the human trafficking activities.

The Thai government’s urgent solutions to human trafficking were testament to its determination and sincerity to deal with the problem. Many high-ranking officers alleged of involvement in human trafficking had been arrested and prosecuted, the minister said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailand-has-done-best-to-tackle-trafficking-Suras-30265311.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-27

[garyj1967]

Then Thailand may find it's best is not good enough.

[trainman34014]

I think we can say that since the General took over things have been done and will most likely continue to be done but what happens when an 'elected' Government gets back in remains to be seen. You can bet when that happens most or all of the good work done by then will be wrecked by those wonderful democratically elected sharks who are only ever interested in fleecing the country for their own good.

[MZurf]

I think we can say that since the General took over things have been done and will most likely continue to be done but what happens when an 'elected' Government gets back in remains to be seen. You can bet when that happens most or all of the good work done by then will be wrecked by those wonderful democratically elected sharks who are only ever interested in fleecing the country for their own good.

Please elaborate as to exactly what has been done. I would love to see signs of real progress. You do not have to mention the state lottery. Unfortunately I do not partake in the lottery so will not reap the benefits of all the attention and hard work having gone into reforming the system.

[jdinasia]

Reuters reported that Malaysia was being upgraded to tier 2.

I won't be surprised if Thailand is as well

[ldiablo]

Yes trainman, please do elaborate on what things have been done.

[DP25]

Reuters reported that Malaysia was being upgraded to tier 2.

I won't be surprised if Thailand is as well

Maybe, but politics has a lot to do with this. The US is happy with Malaysia, they have joined the Trans Pacific Partnership and are doing everything the US wants. The US is very unhappy with Thailand, they staged a military coup against the government that wanted to join it and having been moving towards closer relations with China.

[TDCNINJA]

Thailand is Tier 3 on the 2015 TIP report.

Read em and weep: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/243562.pdf

[T_Dog]

Article here just came out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/world/outlaw-ocean-thailand-fishing-sea-slaves-pets.html

[ravip]

Because they are hitching their horse to the Chinese. ."<deleted> the west and their morals...the Chinese understand us better."

."<deleted> the west and their morals...the Chinese understand us better."

What's that?

[TheAppletons]

Article here just came out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/world/outlaw-ocean-thailand-fishing-sea-slaves-pets.html

Timed precisely for release today, no doubt.

"While forced labor exists throughout the world, nowhere is the problem more pronounced than here in the South China Sea, especially in the Thai fishing fleet, which faces an annual shortage of about 50,000 mariners, based on United Nations estimates. The shortfall is primarily filled by using migrants, mostly from Cambodia and Myanmar.

Many of them, like Mr. Long, are lured across the border by traffickers only to become so-called sea slaves in floating labor camps. Often they are beaten for the smallest transgressions, like stitching a torn net too slowly or mistakenly placing a mackerel into a bucket for herring, according to a United Nations survey of about 50 Cambodian men and boys sold to Thai fishing boats. Of those interviewed in the 2009 survey, 29 said they had witnessed their captain or other officers kill a worker."

[BigBadGeordie]

Article here just came out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/world/outlaw-ocean-thailand-fishing-sea-slaves-pets.html

Excellent article, thanks for the link.

[ravip]

Reuters reported that Malaysia was being upgraded to tier 2.

I won't be surprised if Thailand is as well

Maybe, but politics has a lot to do with this. The US is happy with Malaysia, they have joined the Trans Pacific Partnership and are doing everything the US wants. The US is very unhappy with Thailand, they staged a military coup against the government that wanted to join it and having been moving towards closer relations with China.

Does not that say something about these "documents"'?

Friend of US = Upgraded tier

On what tier would the US put itself into?

[TDCNINJA]

The Government of Thailand does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do so. Thailand investigated and prosecuted some cases against corrupt officials involved in trafficking but trafficking-related corruption continued to impede progress in combating trafficking. Data collection methods began to improve with the implementation of a new database system. The government decreased the numbers of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and victims identified in 2014. The government increased prevention efforts—including the establishment of a new prime minister-level anti-trafficking committee and passage of ministerial regulations that increased the minimum age of workers in agriculture and on fishing vessels and required mandatory employment contracts, a minimum wage, rest hours, and holidays. The government also passed amendments to its 2008 trafficking law to increase penalties for traffickers and protect whistleblowers. The government passed a new Fisheries Act to replace a 1946 law, which requires better registration and monitoring of vessels and inspection of workers’ documents and working conditions. Senior government officials repeatedly expressed their strong commitment to combating trafficking. However, the prosecution of journalists and advocates for exposing traffickers, and statements discouraging media reporting on trafficking crimes undermined some efforts to identify and assist victims and apprehend traffickers. In some provinces, the government made some efforts to screen Rohingya migrants for trafficking indicators and worked with NGOs to assist sex trafficking victims; however there is still a lack of available interpreters for trafficking victims. The government also did not proactively identify many trafficking victims among fishing workers, or irregular migrants.

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/243562.pdf

[useronthenet]

So now that is out of the way, Thailand can get back to (the slave) business.

[ldiablo]

Som nom na Thailand.

[casindonet]

TIP....next the red card by EU on seafood....then the air safety. Well done Thailand

[Pib]

The Thai government's excuses beginning tomorrow morning regarding their continued Tier 3 rating will no doubt be a thing to behold....and the majority of the Thai population will scratch their heads as to what it's all about.

[englishoak]

Hang your head in shame Thailand.....Tier three and well deserved

Of course Prayuth will accept it theres no choice and no bribe will change it,

Well done USA.

This is a VERY GOOD day for fishing slaves and all trafficked people in Thai jurisdiction.

Now the EU just has to slap the fishing import ban on and the FAA aviation and this gov is toast.

Chickens are coming home to roost for Thailand, and its all self inflicted and in the end it all comes down to Thai style and its stupid excuses for being lazy, greedy and thoughtless.