Many arrests in Thai seafood industry crackdown, say police

BANGKOK: -- More than 100 people have been arrested in the months since a crackdown began on abuses in Thailand's multi-billion dollar seafood industry, officials say.

Last April the European Union threatened to boycott the industry unless it tackled illegal fishing and allegations of human trafficking.

On Monday, police said a taskforce set up after that investigated 36 cases and also rescued 130 trafficking victims.

Thailand is the world's third largest exporter of seafood.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35457036


-- BBC 2016-02-02

It says a lot that a threat (albeit empty) from the EU finally got Thais off their collective <deleted> to do something about this travesty of human justice. I doubt this arrests will make any real difference in the longer term,

I wonder if that included a large percentage of "illegal immigrants".

Difficult to beat a good crackdown or hub! When I think about a crackdown I always think that is something that should have been done but was not, like doing the job your were supposed to be doing or obeying the laws when you have not being doing and then somehow the crackdown is launched and everything is alright, well is it? Should never need to be a crackdown.

Soon as all the flags stopped getting raised by the EU/US, Thailand's attention to human trafficking will drop way off--until the flags are raised again. When it comes to law enforcement in Thailand so many times it's only periodic and selective.

Soon as all the flags stopped getting raised by the EU/US, Thailand's attention to human trafficking will drop way off--until the flags are raised again. When it comes to law enforcement in Thailand so many times it's only periodic and selective.

Yup, like their decades of solving domestic problems in gambling and illegal lottery...

Soon as all the flags stopped getting raised by the EU/US, Thailand's attention to human trafficking will drop way off--until the flags are raised again. When it comes to law enforcement in Thailand so many times it's only periodic and selective.

Yup, like their decades of solving domestic problems in gambling and illegal lottery...

Like drugs... Thailand was declared 'Drug Free', a little over a decade ago.

This is like a drop in the ocean with the way Human trafficking is in Thailand.

A lot more work to do yet but the corruption will get in the way and many more people will continue to suffer.

Non will face as severe penalties and Andy Hall, who's crime it seems is reporting crime.

Two decades of slavery. They have only scratched the surface!

Amazing that it takes the threat of sanctions to get some action from Thai authorities.

Plus, I am willing to bet they are just sacrificing some sacrificial lambs here and are not truely serious about solving the real issues, nor going after the 'influential people' behind it..

Quite sure none of the arrested are the ones in charge

Arrests don't mean sh*t if the people who were arrested are not the kingpins, or if they get a slap on the wrist or a 1000 baht fine and then sent on their merry way again. The only things that work are heavy fines and/or jail sentences of a good number of years.

we all saw how effective this massive crackdown was just a couple of days ago.

"...say the police..." is the part of significance here!

I wonder if that included a large percentage of "illegal immigrants".

Large Percentage ??? And do you know this number ???

Why comment on something you know nothing about !

If you want to be a Troll. Then troll about Pattaya Ladyboys or where to buy a Rolex watch for 200 baht.

I wonder if that included a large percentage of "illegal immigrants".

Large Percentage ??? And do you know this number ???

Why comment on something you know nothing about !

If you want to be a Troll. Then troll about Pattaya Ladyboys or where to buy a Rolex watch for 200 baht.

Surely I don't know "nothing" about the subject. If I actually knew nothing, I wouldn't have a snarky question that shows my disdain for the way Thailand treats humans based on country of origin, race, social standing, and (most of all) wealth.

I'm not trolling. I'm echoing what a great number of foreigners in Thailand have come to accept about the powers that be. I read the whole article on the BBC website. It goes on to cast shades of doubt on the Thai authorities' claims.

I don't know much about the Pattaya ladyboys nor do I care to. I don't think it is possible to buy a Rolex for 200 baht, but I'd love to know where to do that. I think it would be easy to turn a profit on that purchase.

The EU is on its last legs. The UK is just as likely to pull out and with the recent flood of immigrants anything could happen. I suspect the illegal fishing activities will outlive the EU.

I wonder how many of the owners and higher-up management of the Thai seafood industry have been arrested. I'm thinking maybe zero. Anyone know detail?

Quite sure none of the arrested are the ones in charge

Many arrests is probably accurate but what is omitted is that those arrested are whistle-blowers, journalists, HRW people, and Andy Hall.

Who was arrested? What was the date of their arrest? What were they charges against them; When will the trial begin? How many of them are still in Thailand?

Soon as all the flags stopped getting raised by the EU/US, Thailand's attention to human trafficking will drop way off--until the flags are raised again. When it comes to law enforcement in Thailand so many times it's only periodic and selective.

Im waiting for the man up top to select this as a major issue, he likes being in front of the camera, maybe then his mob will become enforcers, introduce a minimum wage applicable to Thai and foreign workers and stop importing slaves into LOS which are only needed by the corporate greedy and self centered that must have many servants and maids, such jobs are below Thai.