Thai seafood exports not affected by slavery reports - government

REUTERS

BANGKOK: Dec 21 - Thailand said on Monday seafood exports to the United States, Europe and Australia have not been hit by reports of slavery and forced labour by campaign groups and media.

The comments come as Thailand, the world's third-largest seafood exporter, faces increasing pressure to crack down on illegal fishing or face the risk of bans on its fish exports and to investigate accusations of slavery in its seafood industry.

Thailand has come under fire from rights groups over allegations of trafficking, abuse and exploitation on its fishing boats, following investigations by media and campaign groups.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-fishing-idUSL3N14A1RY20151221


-- Reuters 2015-12-21

30 page thread

That's good news for the Thai government ...if its true.

But keep in mind ...it may not be.

It's also Christmas shortly, and seafood products like shrimp are often purchased without much thought because prices are competitive.

The average Australian or American might be unaware of its sourcing .

Often it's just too hectic this time of year.

I look forward to 2016 and much greater awareness .

The article might for now be true.

Doesn't mean it will remain so.

Especially if collective bans are put in place.

Then again they have their Chinese masters to rely on.

All good and solved. No more anti slave announcements required!

Next!

"Reuters was not immediately able to contact the U.S. and Australian embassies in Bangkok for comment. The European Commission declined to comment."

Once they do contact the embassies, they will realize how stupid they were for printing word for word what people who love to put words in other people's mouths have to say.

"Reuters was not immediately able to contact the U.S. and Australian embassies in Bangkok for comment. The European Commission declined to comment."

Once they do contact the embassies, they will realize how stupid they were for printing word for word what people who love to put words in other people's mouths have to say.

well here is the comment from Australia

"Australia's seafood importers told us that even though there are problems they would continue buying seafood because Thailand is trying to really resolve the human trafficking problem,"

America, Europe and Australia have confidence in importing frozen seafood from us

So he is right no effect and there will be no ban from EU and US to. To much politic and investment

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by carstenp

Seafood importers =/= embassy

And the seafood importers will keep buying until they are banned by law or their customers boycott.

And we don't even know the Australian importers said any such thing. Its heresay. and certainly there is not even a third hand quote in the article for him to say US and Europe have confidence.

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by taony

The majority of Thai seafood consumed in Australia would be done so in asian restaurants. People buying to cook at home would choose an Australian fresh product rather than frozen ( at least in the majority of cases)

Diners ordering dishes in restaurants would have no clue were the product is sources. As for fish, Australian supermarkets have been heavily discounting Thai tuna for many many months, presumably in anticipation of some backlash.

well shame on the consumers in the west then

All problems here stem from farrangs and- "there was no corruption in LOS before the Chinese arrived' (according to a quote of a former Thai minister)

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by Lupatria

A typical and expected arrogant statement from Thai authorities, we are still exporting so no need to do anything, after all they are only human beings.

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by cockatoowho

Well not yet.

We can expect a series of announcements of denial from Thai officials on this. We have already had a few.

All problems here stem from farrangs and- "there was no corruption in LOS before the Chinese arrived' (according to a quote of a former Thai minister)

Before the Chinese arrived Thailand was empty !

"Reuters was not immediately able to contact the U.S. and Australian embassies in Bangkok for comment. The European Commission declined to comment."

Once they do contact the embassies, they will realize how stupid they were for printing word for word what people who love to put words in other people's mouths have to say.

Are you really naive enough to beilieve what you said?

If the Thai government tells the truth, it is by accident.

I think their statement is right..............global importers of Thai fish products will not cancel agreements.............it would cost too much!

Thai seafood exports not affected by slavery reports - YET.

"Reuters was not immediately able to contact the U.S. and Australian embassies in Bangkok for comment. The European Commission declined to comment."

Once they do contact the embassies, they will realize how stupid they were for printing word for word what people who love to put words in other people's mouths have to say.

well here is the comment from Australia

"Australia's seafood importers told us that even though there are problems they would continue buying seafood because Thailand is trying to really resolve the human trafficking problem,"

America, Europe and Australia have confidence in importing frozen seafood from us

So he is right no effect and there will be no ban from EU and US to. To much politic and investment

The current liberal Government in Australia will dance with devil for political gain,much like the current Government in Thailand.

Any form of slavery or human trafficking is unacceptable...so I give each shrimp a chance to complain before consuming...they declare that they are reminded often of the penalty for speaking freely...

I suppose it depends which you believe ... the reports, or the Thais.

Are they playing the dare you game ? I dearly hope they fall flat on their faces and rue that headline.... god knows they deserve it.

Most export contracts are done well in advance, would not expect to see any change yet.

I hope the pressure continues to pile on and the consumer makes Thailand eat its words., its the only way they will do anything meaningful and comply with basic standards.

The majority of Thai seafood consumed in Australia would be done so in asian restaurants. People buying to cook at home would choose an Australian fresh product rather than frozen ( at least in the majority of cases)

Diners ordering dishes in restaurants would have no clue were the product is sources. As for fish, Australian supermarkets have been heavily discounting Thai tuna for many many months, presumably in anticipation of some backlash.

On the ground in Sydney I noticed a major food chain is clearing "" home brand ." Thai seafood products.

The writer above is very correct the imported shrimp is not being sort after by general public .

And the main consumers will be wholesaler s and restaurant chains.

Australia is very PC almost nauseating at times.

The public get a whiff that Coles home brand or Woolworth are feeding them seafood with slave labour the product will get pulled.

I like the Thais bragging.

I simply fire off emails to several green peace type organisations and media .

Whale folks and all the lefties nuts human rights people.

And they start hanging out on Facebook and twitter and the media get wind.

Then you demand the chains to clean up their ethics.

Bingo you hurt the junta.

Simple

And while their arrogance is so obvious they deserve it.

Imagine saying those photos of people in cages were err not as it seems.

The dead bodies in jungle and bamboo cages are the past.

Not now.

The military involved punished.

Etc etc.

Then the smug PM telling the peasants we distort Thailand' s good reputation.

Throw in the anthem and cut to Ultra nationalists monks protesting against evil lying envoy's.

And then show Pattaya bar guys with young Thai woman and you win.

The whole show is for domestic consumer who understands Thainess.

Lies are the preferred option to loosing face

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by Plutojames88

All you need is one non-profit organization, (like http://www.antislavery.org/english/what_we_do/) a website and public awareness campaign.

The donations will come rolling in, and the newly aware public will shut down the Thai fishing industry. No need for government rhetoric.

The ancient and dishonourable art of denial, something the Thais excel at. and that's denial in all it's forms.