US offers continued support for Thailand in fighting human trafficking

[Jonathan Fairfield]

US offers continued support for Thailand in fighting human trafficking

BANGKOK, 16 October 2015 (NNT) – A US representative has stated that the US will continue to offer Thailand assistance in the elimination of human trafficking while affirming no sanctions have been imposed against the country despite its Tier 3 status.

Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai greeted Ms Kari Johnstone, Acting Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, US Department of State, who paid him a courtesy call in order to discuss Thailand’s ranking on the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Ms Johnstone expressed appreciation for Thailand’s acknowledgement of human trafficking as a serious problem and inclusion of the issue in the national agenda.

The Acting Director also relayed the US government’s willingness to carry on with its provision of support for Thai authorities involved in the anti-human trafficking work. Although Thailand remains on Tier 3 in the annual TIP Report, she revealed that the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits.

According to the Thai Foreign Minister, high-level officials from the US will travel to Thailand for a discussion with various agencies tasked with tackling the human trafficking problem. The two countries are expected to step up their cooperation on the matter, with an emphasis to be placed on the prevention of irregular migration of the Rohingya people.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNPOL5810170010001

-- NNT 2015-10-17

[amerasianex]

USA

Mind your own business for a change. We are not the world policeman. Trafficking has and always will be present. And yes even in the USA...

[selftaopath]

Why the decision not to place sanctions on Thailand? Oh !! I know.... Thailand is special.

[alant]

Why the decision not to place sanctions on Thailand? Oh !! I know.... Thailand is special.

I agree, the world of double standards is as clear as double pricing, a fact of life. There is virtually nothing that would induce the USA to alienate its SEA friend and ally.

[Srikcir]

"the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits."

TRANSLATION:

The Junta's reward for joining Obama's TPP.

[dru2]

"the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits."

TRANSLATION:

The Junta's reward for joining Obama's TPP.

But they haven't joined the TPP, so what are you talking about?

[sawadee1947]

US can offer what they want....Thais are Thais...That's it....they don't fear anybody....They can tackle their problems by themselves....in their style..

[MeHere]

USA

Mind your own business for a change. We are not the world policeman. Trafficking has and always will be present. And yes even in the USA...

So... you disagree that the US should offer support to help Thailand with their human trafficking problem??

what planet are you from??? sheeeesh!

[arrowsdawdle]

Why the decision not to place sanctions on Thailand? Oh !! I know.... Thailand is special.

More likely because Ms.Johnstone is temporary, just a seat warmer much like a substitute teacher until the real deal shows up.

[arrowsdawdle]

US can offer what they want....Thais are Thais...That's it....they don't fear anybody....They can tackle their problems by themselves....in their style..

Actually, they can't. But, having sanctions slapped on by the USA and Europe and having the Thai economy hit the skids is far preferable to the unthinkable.....facing the truth and losing face.

[sawadee1947]

US can offer what they want....Thais are Thais...That's it....they don't fear anybody....They can tackle their problems by themselves....in their style..

Actually, they can't. But, having sanctions slapped on by the USA and Europe and having the Thai economy hit the skids is far preferable to the unthinkable.....facing the truth and losing face.

that was the meaning behind my sarcastic quote: They will have to face reality = real life. Who (UN,EU) care's if they will lose their face..?

[sawadee1947]

USA

Mind your own business for a change. We are not the world policeman. Trafficking has and always will be present. And yes even in the USA...

We are not the world policeman

Why then you(administration) behave like that? (and if ) why you never learned from wrong decisions and run from one desaster into the next?

[Jonathan Fairfield]

US assures Thailand of assistance in fighting human trafficking

BANGKOK:-- The United States will continue to offer Thailand assistance in the elimination of human trafficking while affirming no sanctions have been imposed against the country despite its Tier 3 status.

The assurance was revealed by a US representative during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai yesterday.

According to National News Bureau of Thailand, the foreign minister met Ms Kari Johnstone, acting director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, US Department of State, who paid him a courtesy call yesterday to discuss Thailand’s ranking on the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

Ms Johnstone expressed appreciation for Thailand’s acknowledgement of human trafficking as a serious problem and inclusion of the issue in the national agenda.

She also relayed the US government’s willingness to carry on with its provision of support for Thai authorities involved in the anti human trafficking work.

Although Thailand remains on Tier 3 in the annual TIP Report, she revealed that the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits.

According to Mr Don, high-level officials from the US will travel to Thailand for a discussion with various agencies tasked with tackling the human trafficking problem.

The two countries are expected to step up their cooperation on the matter, with an emphasis to be placed on the prevention of irregular migration of the Rohingya people, NNT reported.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/us-assures-thailand-of-assistance-in-fighting-human-trafficking

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-17

[Usernames]

Although Thailand remains on Tier 3 in the annual TIP Report, she revealed that the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits.

What benefits? I don't see any benefits for the US in Thailand. Thailand has been a charity case for the US since the 1950s. The communists in Hanoi are more reliable--not to mention more competent and determined. The Philippines has strong cultural ties. Even the anti-American past of Malaysia has dissolved into a policy far more accommodating and helpful than the madhouse that is Thailand, with its carousel of changing governments, policies, laws, attitudes, and regulations. The US would be crazy to bring such a place into the TPP. Let the Chinese hold their hands for the next century.

Edited October 17, 2015 by Usernames

[simple1]

"the US has not taken any disciplinary action against the country as it still values the long-standing bilateral relations and wishes to maintain the existing mutual benefits."

TRANSLATION:

The Junta's reward for joining Obama's TPP.

As already stated Thailand has yet to engage in actual negotiations for membership of the TPP trading block.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thailand-should-join-TPP-but-govt-must-prepare-for-30270661.html

US State Department sanctions, if enacted, for Tier 3 are detailed at the URL below and do not include trade sanctions.

Penalties for Tier 3 Countries

http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164221.htm

Edited October 17, 2015 by simple1

[Emster23]

Maybe Thailand can impress USA by quoting revolutionary war hero John Paul Jones "I have not yet begun to fight!" (when asked if he wanted to surrender his ship)

[Strangebrew]

US offers Thai's refuse help Translation we can screw it up by ourselves.

[ldiablo]

The US has become such a weak country under Obama. Russia knows it, China knows it, and the rest of the world knows it.

On another note:

Let us all hope we don't get to see her in a swimsuit while she's in Thailand.

Edited October 17, 2015 by ldiablo