Thailand unaffected by Tier 3 ranking in Trafficking in Persons Report



BANGKOK, 22 September 2015 (NNT) - The Secretary-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs says Thailand’s Tier 3 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons report will have no repercussions on Thailand’s economy.

Songsak Saicheua, Thailand’s Secretary-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, spoke at a seminar on the matter, saying the country was downgraded to the report’s lowest ranking due to inadequate enforcement by the authorities, lack of proper protection for victims and a failure to address human trafficking in the country’s fishing industry.

He said Thailand has disagreed with the assessment by the United States and has pointed out its various successes in the past year in empowering officials, enforcing the law and prosecuting violators. It has since submitted a progress report to the United States for reconsideration.

As for any repercussions from Thailand’s standing in the report, Mr Songsak says Thailand has continued to conduct trading activities with the United States and Europe as usual, although the United States has suspended cultural and educational assistance projects. He also said the President of the United States has until October 25 to consider exempting Thailand from various punishments associated with the Tier 3 ranking.


-- NNT 2015-09-22

In other words if it doesn't hurt the pocket we don't give a damn.

Ah, i see - the thais are totally unaffected by the sanctions which have not yet been levied. Thanks for the report.

I wonder of Khun Songsak will be singing the same tune in a years time when Thailand is still on Tier 3, the US has imposed sanctions and the Thais can't sell their fish to the EU?

Like water off a duck's back.

"...saying the country was downgraded to the report’s lowest ranking due to inadequate enforcement by the authorities,"

But they deserve a seat on the UN Security Council!!!!

Shamelessness at its best. Good cheap food and nice beaches go a long way towards forgiveness, sadly.

Might be a good idea to wait until the 90 days is up to see if sanctions are imposed.

What ELSE would you expect from a country that finds it acceptable for a teacher to pay off families after molesting 24 of his students? THIS is the kind of man who deserves 450 lashes, NOT that poor guy in Saudi Arabia who got that punishment for being gay.

They may as well give themselves a pay rise to celebrate, the slimy incompetent smug parasitic pricks.

If western countries do not act on the TIP Tier 3 rating then it has not teeth and therefore no consequences for Thailand...

...business as usual.

never wrong are they?

Instead they could have replied with - yes we have a problem and we will get it fixed...

Teflon Thailand nothing sticks

Warning over human trafficking no problem, scores of police transferred for their roles. Thailand " we are taking the problem seriously we have let all those involved keep their jobs and pensions we have just moved them to a different office.

Fishing industry is facing a European ban they are on a yellow card for fishing regulations and human trafficking

The aviation authority is also on a yellow card for safety issues

never wrong are they?

Instead they could have replied with - yes we have a problem and we will get it fixed...

That would require self examination, introspection, humility, the willingness to admit a shortcoming, the willingness to improve, admitting the need to improve, and addressing it in an effective and long term manner.

The Secretary-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs says Thailand’s Tier 3 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons report will have no repercussions on Thailand’s economy.

Good idea...rub it in.

Before saying that Thailand’s Tier 3 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons report will have no repercussions on Thailand’s economy, shouldn’t they wait until the POTUS makes his decision by October 25^th about any punishments?

While the US may not impose heavy sanctions, it may apply "wake-up call" limited sanctions. The government should treat their time extension from the US seriously and realistically. The USA is not easily swayed by foreign propoganda, especially from a "controlled" nondemocratic nation.

Ah, i see - the thais are totally unaffected by the sanctions which have not yet been levied. Thanks for the report.

Teflon Thailand

Unless there are penalties applied tier 3 could be 13, as we have seen previous , they hold the US in contempt, however restrictions generally hurt the ordinary people and the Hi So still get their face moisturizer through and the thought of China just waiting to muscle in a little more might sway the US president to address more pressing issues, like Donald Trump

"...saying the country was downgraded to the report’s lowest ranking due to inadequate enforcement by the authorities,"

But they deserve a seat on the UN Security Council!!!!

They get a seat alright, the front door attendants seat

Thailand doesn't need to worry about the EU. The migrating hordes of benefit seekers have probably put people trafficking in Asia and slave/fishermen firmly on the back burner.

Before saying that Thailand’s Tier 3 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons report will have no repercussions on Thailand’s economy, shouldn’t they wait until the POTUS makes his decision by October 25^th about any punishments?

While the US may not impose heavy sanctions, it may apply "wake-up call" limited sanctions. The government should treat their time extension from the US seriously and realistically. The USA is not easily swayed by foreign propoganda, especially from a "controlled" nondemocratic nation.

I'm in agreement with what you say. However, after the (fairly) recent decision on Malaysia's ranking I'm not too sure.

Sanctions are coming like a freight train over Thailand so lets see if they are still "mai pen rai" about other people ...