Blame the coup for Thailand's Tier 3 rating woes

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Blame the coup for Thailand's Tier 3 rating woes
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted to blame something or somebody for Thailand languishing in Tier 3 in the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, he should blame himself and his May 22 coup.

The coup might be a political instrument for him and other elite to seize power to run the country - but it is not the perfect solution to solve all of Thailand's problems. On the contrary, it is a major part of the problem and an obstacle to many solutions.

Human trafficking has existed in Thailand for a long time, long before the United States Department of State created the TIP report 15 years ago. As long as people keep moving, it is not easy to eliminate human trafficking. Unless all states allow the free movement of people, human trafficking will exist. The stricter a border is controlled, the more there are traffickers to facilitate the border crossing.

Migration from immediate neighbouring countries and far away is the result of people wanting to seek better lives or refuge in Thailand. By law, they perhaps are not qualified to obtain any permission to arrive, live or work in Thailand. They are mostly undocumented. In many cases, they are stateless. The only way for them to enter Thailand is to buy trafficking services.

How can traffickers bring their customers into the Kingdom without the cooperation of border control and security officials? Of course, the boundary line is long and the ocean is huge - but officials are also many. Traffickers normally use the same methods and routes as ordinary travellers to arrive in the Kingdom. In many cases, as reported by media and social workers familiar with the issue, traffickers pay officials to pave the way. Military officers, even high ranking four-star generals, are involved, if not heading the trafficking syndicates.

The military coup d'etat, which Prayut staged in May last year to topple an elected civilian government, not only destroyed the rule of law but also provided a safe haven for corrupt security officials. The junta empowered soldiers to control everything beyond examination.

Two Phuket-based journalists were sued for defamation by the Navy for reporting the involvement of naval officials in human trafficking in 2013. The Navy and the junta never listened to many appeals to drop the case against the two journalists. Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers.

Prayut gets furious every time he is asked by reporters about the involvement of military officers in human trafficking. The TIP report took note of these issues and cited that such action undermined efforts to combat human trafficking.

The report called again this year for the military government to "cease prosecuting criminal defamation cases against researchers or journalists who report on human trafficking".

The decision to prosecute a senior military officer in connection with trafficking in the Rohingya case was too late as the US had already closed the consideration of information after March 2015. The reasons for the slow move remain unknown - but they left out for next year's report what Prayut's administration had done and therefore Thailand remains in Tier 3 for another year.

Analysts and some government officials believe that the relations between Thailand and US, which became sour after the May 22 coup, influenced the TIP report.

The Foreign Ministry might be able to maintain communication with the US State Department but the signal is very poor and Washington is not in the mood, at least for now, to clear it.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Blame-the-coup-for-Thailands-Tier-3-rating-woes-30265926.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-05

[thesetat2013]

Typical Nation reporting. Place the blame away from those that permitted slavery and trafficking throughout their entire admin and make the current gov to blame. This problem has existed with trafficking for a very long time and its not that the previous gov wasn't aware of it along with many other corruption problems. It was simply ignored.

Mr. P has been the only person to take action although it appears he is doing it for show anyway and only going after the little guys.

This tier 3 rating is long overdue and the USA should take a hard look at why they waited so long to do it. True that now with the current gov that other countries are looking at Thailand more closely. But perhaps that is what is needed to put an end to human abuse and suffering.

Edited August 4, 2015 by thesetat2013

[ramrod711]

Analysts and some government officials believe that the relations between Thailand and US, which became sour after the May 22 coup, influenced the TIP report.

The people who believe this are absolutely correct, clearly the U.S. are punishing the current Government. I looked at the T.I.P. reports back to 2001, every one of them begins with virtually the same paragraph about trafficking, so why downgrade now? I'm not saying it shouldn't be level 3, I'm asking why it wasn't done years ago.

[halloween]

Is the author blaming the junta for the non-upgrade? Even though there has been a huge increase in transparency and prosecutions in the last 15 months, licensing of fishing boats, and assistance for Rohingyas at sea.

Or is he blaming the USA for allowing its political bias to affect a non-political issue?

[alfalfa19]

Gee whiz, why not blame the owners of slave fishing ships? Why not blame the police and officials who profit greatly from the trade of selling humans into slavery? Why not blame the owners of slave storage camps and the traffickers of slaves?

[Toknarok]

Quote> Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers

It certainly wasn't the actions of the Juta that exposed this dreadful trade. Had it not been for investigative journalists bravely unearthing the sorded facts the Junta wouild have done nothing just like all the governments before them for decades. Prayut was forced to act, he had no option. Since then was has been done is merely a band aid, a few individuals thrown to the wolves in a desperate attempt to get the USA to raise Thailand from tier 3 of their TIP report. It didn't work.

He seems to be obfuscating of the fishing trawlers also, firstly banning them and then letting go to sea again. The man and his junta are floundering all over the place

[tbthailand]

Unless all states allow the free movement of people,

what a wonderful idea. This would solve many problems...

[tbthailand]

Typical Nation reporting. Place the blame away from those that permitted slavery and trafficking throughout their entire admin and make the current gov to blame. This problem has existed with trafficking for a very long time and its not that the previous gov wasn't aware of it along with many other corruption problems. It was simply ignored.

Mr. P has been the only person to take action although it appears he is doing it for show anyway and only going after the little guys.

This tier 3 rating is long overdue and the USA should take a hard look at why they waited so long to do it. True that now with the current gov that other countries are looking at Thailand more closely. But perhaps that is what is needed to put an end to human abuse and suffering.

WHO permitted slavery/trafficking throughout the last 15 years? .... in the military controlled south or on the navy controlled seas ?

Two Phuket-based journalists were sued for defamation by the Navy for reporting the involvement of naval officials in human trafficking in 2013. The Navy and the junta never listened to many appeals to drop the case against the two journalists. Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers.

[MZurf]

Quote> Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers

It certainly wasn't the actions of the Juta that exposed this dreadful trade. Had it not been for investigative journalists bravely unearthing the sorded facts the Junta wouild have done nothing just like all the governments before them for decades. Prayut was forced to act, he had no option. Since then was has been done is merely a band aid, a few individuals thrown to the wolves in a desperate attempt to get the USA to raise Thailand from tier 3 of their TIP report. It didn't work.

He seems to be obfuscating of the fishing trawlers also, firstly banning them and then letting go to sea again. The man and his junta are floundering all over the place

"He seems to be obfuscating of the fishing trawlers also". Obfuscating is a very polite word - I would probably have picked something less flattering. The present regime reminds me of a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line.

[bamnutsak]

Is the author blaming the junta for the non-upgrade?

No.

Some Thais are trying to shift the responsibility for their lack of action on this subject, literally trying to sweep the dirt from the mass graves under the carpet, by saying that the U.S. is penalizing Thailand unfairly for "political" reasons.

Thailand's woeful response in addressing this issue is, apparently, a non-issue and one best avoided?

[mike324]

Bring change to a third world country like Thailand means you will be unpopular among those corrupt and powerful figures who does not want to see change. I think you can blame the coup for seeing change being made. So this rating should not even come as a surprise, in the past these were covered up with rosy policies and country cooperation, issues like this were swept under the rug.

[Strangebrew]

Place the Blame where it really belongs on Thainess. The lack of empathy for fellow human beings.

[pookiki]

If the regime was serious about addressing issue of trafficking, it should have taken the following actions (not necessarily in the order of importance).

1. Dropped the defamation cases against the journalists at Phuketwan.

2. Ordered the defamation cases against migrant worker advocate Andy Hall to be dropped.

3. Banned the use of brokers in the employment of migrant workers (migrants coming to Thailand or Thais going to work overseas).

4. Created government-to-government agreements with all ASEAN countries (and others) governing the employment of migrant workers in Thailand and created a special government ministry or department to enforce such agreements.

5. Assure that migrant workers enjoy the same conditions of employment and benefits as Thai workers - to include workers' compensation, health insurance, and social security.

6. Give migrant workers the same rights as Thai workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining.

[spidermike007]

This is typically poor reporting on a very mediocre newspapers part. Sure, the junta has some responsibility for not cleaning things up more. They do not seem to be going after the slave trading business in a serious way. But, then again, has any administration done that? it almost seems as if it is being condoned, as it has always been. Cheap labor, without any consciousness of the severity of the crime, and an absolute absence of morality, is what is involved here. It is not the Junta. It is Thai society at large, that is to blame, combined with a lack of will, to eradicate this heinous problem.

[harrry]

I think this banning is based on data gathered a couple of years ago...and who was in Government then?

[mmh8]

One would imagine that

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/thai-officials-among-more-than-100-charged-with-human-trafficking is

[mmh8]

 

Place the Blame where it really belongs on Thainess. The lack of empathy for fellow human beings.

 

this is the cultural difference, not lack empathy but karma..... go figure

[bamnutsak]

If the regime was serious about addressing issue of trafficking, it should have taken the following actions (not necessarily in the order of importance).

1. Dropped the defamation cases against the journalists at Phuketwan.

2. Ordered the defamation cases against migrant worker advocate Andy Hall to be dropped.

3. Banned the use of brokers in the employment of migrant workers (migrants coming to Thailand or Thais going to work overseas).

4. Created government-to-government agreements with all ASEAN countries (and others) governing the employment of migrant workers in Thailand and created a special government ministry or department to enforce such agreements.

5. Assure that migrant workers enjoy the same conditions of employment and benefits as Thai workers - to include workers' compensation, health insurance, and social security.

6. Give migrant workers the same rights as Thai workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining.

7.) Give everyone a unicorn and rainbow.

The successful crossbreeding pigs and birds might happen first.

But agree with your wish-list.

Place the Blame where it really belongs

1.) Previous government

2.) Foreigners

3.) The U.S.A.

Edited August 5, 2015 by bamnutsak

[jayboy]

I think this banning is based on data gathered a couple of years ago...and who was in Government then?

No it covers the period 1.4.2014 to 31.3.2015 a period under the present government save for a couple of months.I don't see any US political bias here nor do I think the rating can be blamed on the Junta.As another member noted considerable efforts have been made though these were clearly not not enough.The next assessment will be crucial.It seems to me wrong for opponents of this government to look for debating points against the Junta.This issue streches back for at least a decade and the Junta has performed no worse than its predecessors, and in some ways better.

[DP25]

The coup government is to blame for the US having Thailand on tier 3, but for none of the reasons mentioned. Thailand is on tier 3 because this government is opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership, the new transnational free trade agreement sponsered by and designed to benefit large multinational corporations, especially US ones, and gives up national soveirignty in favor of corporate profits. The previous Thaksin backed government was in favor of it, the coup government is against it, and therefore the US is against the Thai government. Malaysia has all the same problems as Thailand, arguable worse, and has done nothing to fix them save for 'proposing' new policies, yet was upgraded to tier 2. The reason it was upgraded is because it is a member of the Trans Pacific Partnership and the treaty is going to come in to affect soon, and the US can not have TPP members on tier 3. Mexico, Vietnam, etc are all kept on tier 2 despite serious problems because of it. Many other countries, like Sauid Arabia and UAE, have serious issues, and are not punished because they important poltiically and economically to the US. Thailand is not handing over sovereignty to the TPP, they are opposing US goals in the Pacific and cosying up to China, so they will not get the same leeway that Malaysia gets.

[KhunOr]

Worth pointing out:

1. Thailand was already on Tier 3 and this was not a downgrade as some think

2. Apparently US diplomats wanted to upgrade Thailand to Tier 2, but the researchers at J/TIP won the argument

See original Reuters report:

Of the three disputes J/TIP (The U.S.Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons) won, the most prominent was Thailand, which has faced scrutiny over forced labor at sea and the trafficking of Rohingya Muslims through its southern jungles. Diplomats had sought to upgrade it to so-called “Tier 2 Watch List” status. It remains on “Tier 3” - the rating for countries with the worst human-trafficking records.

Source: Reuters

[harrry]

I think this banning is based on data gathered a couple of years ago...and who was in Government then?

No it covers the period 1.4.2014 to 31.3.2015 a period under the present government save for a couple of months.I don't see any US political bias here nor do I think the rating can be blamed on the Junta.As another member noted considerable efforts have been made though these were clearly not not enough.The next assessment will be crucial.It seems to me wrong for opponents of this government to look for debating points against the Junta.This issue streches back for at least a decade and the Junta has performed no worse than its predecessors, and in some ways better.

Thank you jayboy for a surprisingly honest answer.

I think in reallity it is a little bit like the the little boy who is warned ten times that he will be hit if he threw his book on the floor and when hit says but I only threw this book on the floor once. In reality it has been a long time coming.

[dageurreotype]

Quote> Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers

It certainly wasn't the actions of the Juta that exposed this dreadful trade. Had it not been for investigative journalists bravely unearthing the sorded facts the Junta wouild have done nothing just like all the governments before them for decades. Prayut was forced to act, he had no option. Since then was has been done is merely a band aid, a few individuals thrown to the wolves in a desperate attempt to get the USA to raise Thailand from tier 3 of their TIP report. It didn't work.

He seems to be obfuscating of the fishing trawlers also, firstly banning them and then letting go to sea again. The man and his junta are floundering all over the place

Today's BP reports the issue of trafficking has now been allowed to slide until next year's review. This 'oh well we tried' was simply a show. There's been no real actual concern, like so many other problems here. It is the intent that counts and the 'intent' in this case appears to have been a crowd pleasing 'upgrade' as opposed to any true concern and empathy for those who have, and are continuing to be, trafficked slave labourers.

[timewilltell]

I think the point of the article is perfectly clear. It states the problem has existed for some time and previous governments have turned a blind eye for decades. Why? Because the whole scam is facilitated by officials, police and the military. If you look all these guys have very nice cars and are not anywhere near as poor as their salaries might suggest.

The article states many high ranking officials and military generals are involved and possibly even controlling the whole corrupt business which is precisely why politicians have not got the balls to tackle the problem.

Now we have Prayut who is the army chief and he is sidestepping questions asking about military involvement. You don't have to be smart to understand why he gets annoyed because the light sjone on the corrupt by these questions is blinding. And unwelcome. The same goes on in the logging business and also in the drug trade which is connected with Koh Tao.

And so it becomes clear that there is no intent in really tackling and eradicating the problem at all. It is all a veneer to deflect media attention and pretend something serious is being done to tackle the hideous problem. Unfortunately foreign governments have finally woken up to the veneer of smiles and lies and are calling the Thais out on it. There is mo room for such management of the country and persecution of it's people so I welcome all who challenge Thailand to start actually doing what it pretends to do and ignoring it otherwise as there will be no change if the status quo is allowed to continue will all mouthing pleasantries and doing bugger all foreign office style.

[djjamie]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

[SOTIRIOS]

......I wonder if they shouldn't press charges against this charlatan....

...if I was the government I would.....

...just the near 1 Trillion Baht Rice Scam should have ANY Thai person grateful......

[Charlie Croker]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

This issue of human trafficking is not just social, its economic.

The Junta (Are we allowed to call them that?) inherited a raft of issues related to corruption in Thailand.

The current world economy status increases pressure on Thailand's economy and the government's ability to perform.

Human trafficking/Rice Scams/Inactive paid government positions/reduced FDI (foreign investments). High public/household. debt all contribute to the ailing economy's under performance.

Expecting a new government to come in a manage everything in 1 year is unrealistic.

Blame should be laid at previous governments doorstep - Why is Yingsy not being charged for allowing it to flourish?

[jaywalker]

Gee whiz, why not blame the owners of slave fishing ships? Why not blame the police and officials who profit greatly from the trade of selling humans into slavery? Why not blame the owners of slave storage camps and the traffickers of slaves?

Why not fire the entire BIB Farce?

Crime & traffic couldn't get much worse, yet the BIB crooks would not have badges.

Who am I kidding? Another mafia would soon fill their shoes.

[Baerboxer]

Typical Nation reporting. Place the blame away from those that permitted slavery and trafficking throughout their entire admin and make the current gov to blame. This problem has existed with trafficking for a very long time and its not that the previous gov wasn't aware of it along with many other corruption problems. It was simply ignored.

Mr. P has been the only person to take action although it appears he is doing it for show anyway and only going after the little guys.

This tier 3 rating is long overdue and the USA should take a hard look at why they waited so long to do it. True that now with the current gov that other countries are looking at Thailand more closely. But perhaps that is what is needed to put an end to human abuse and suffering.

WHO permitted slavery/trafficking throughout the last 15 years? .... in the military controlled south or on the navy controlled seas ?

Two Phuket-based journalists were sued for defamation by the Navy for reporting the involvement of naval officials in human trafficking in 2013. The Navy and the junta never listened to many appeals to drop the case against the two journalists. Prayut himself demanded a television journalist to report herself to security officials after a scoop on forced labour in Thai fishery trawlers.

Which politicians and political parties governed for most of the last 15 years? The police seem to have been just has involved as the military, if not more so. For this to be happening without the knowledge and blind eye turning or worse of politicians is very unlikely.

The people who usually control and make very very large sums of money from other equally onerous activities are probably one and the same.

And laws simply don't apply to them.

[Baerboxer]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

This issue of human trafficking is not just social, its economic.

The Junta (Are we allowed to call them that?) inherited a raft of issues related to corruption in Thailand.

The current world economy status increases pressure on Thailand's economy and the government's ability to perform.

Human trafficking/Rice Scams/Inactive paid government positions/reduced FDI (foreign investments). High public/household. debt all contribute to the ailing economy's under performance.

Expecting a new government to come in a manage everything in 1 year is unrealistic.

Blame should be laid at previous governments doorstep - Why is Yingsy not being charged for allowing it to flourish?

Didn't dear Yingluck point out on FB that "her" government had made great in roads in sorting this all out? Or was it an interview and photo op?

Just like she eradicated all corruption in "her" government, negotiated fantastic rice deals on her many trips abroad, and thinks the rice scheme never made a loss.

The size of the crap heap the current government inherited shouldn't be ignored. Nor can they fire or those corrupt individuals in one go - be very few left!