TIP report ‘an eye-opener’

[webfact]

TIP report ‘an eye-opener’
By WASAMON AUDJARINT,
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

 

DSI admits failure to prosecute top officials involved in human trafficking

 

WHILE THE government expressed disappointment over the US State Department’s Tier 2 Watchlist of the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, officials and civic groups admitted that many efforts to battle modern-day slavery had not been effective. 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government’s continuing work was not intended to earn a favourable evaluation but sought to protect people, both Thais and foreigners, in the Kingdom according to humanitarian principles.

 

The US State Department left Thailand on the watchlist for another year since the government had not aggressively prosecuted and convicted officials complicit in trafficking crimes, while official complicity continued to impede anti-trafficking efforts, according to the report.

 

 

Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said police would use the TIP report’s conclusions to review the force and fix areas that showed deficiencies. “Remaining on the Tier 2 watchlist is better than falling to Tier 3. We also aim high to reach Tier 1,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, rights advocates said inadequate legal enforcement had contributed to problems dealing with human trafficking efficiently.

 

National Human Rights Com-missioner Angkhana Neelaphaijit said authorities tended to have practical troubles adjusting to changes enacted by related laws and bills, many of which have been issued recently. For instance, while authorities have passed regulations to allow foreign human trafficking victims and witnesses to stay and work in the Kingdom, there were still problems on victim protections, working permits and coordination, Angkhana said.

 

Thailand had made remarkable progress on fisheries and sex workers, but there had been limited prosecution of influential perpetrators, she said.

 

Sompong Srakaew, executive director of the NGO Labour Rights Promotion Network, suggested that authorities could expand legal interpretations to correspond with actual problems.

 

The freshly enacted decree on managing alien workers, for instance, was intended to curb illegal treatment of migrant workers by prescribing heavy punishment for employers engaging in violations, he said. “It would be better if there were ways to facilitate legalisation procedures for those workers,” he said. “It would encourage labour registration, which would then help to prevent bribery in labour deals.”

 

The acting director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre at the Department of Special Investigation, Pol Lt-Colonel Komvich Padhanarat, said the result of the TIP report reflected well on efforts to suppress human trafficking, adding that Thailand would perform better in next year’s assessment.

 

“I see the results of this year’s TIP report as an opportunity, as the United States’ assessment lets us know our weaknesses in fighting human trafficking so we can intensify our operation against traffickers,” Komvich said.

 

He said the greatest concern expressed in the report was the inability of officials to catch so-called “big fish”, as many anti-trafficking raids had been conducted but few masterminds or high-ranking officials prosecuted.

 

Komvich said that failure to prosecute was the main problem for investigators because powerful people behind human-trafficking crimes were very cautious and often did not get directly involved in crimes, but instead worked through nominees.

 

Moreover, arrested suspects and witnesses are often afraid of influential figures and will not testify against them, making it hard to track down masterminds and arrest them.

 

“This is the great challenge we have to overcome. It is very hard because our society is still full of corruption and the misuse of power,” he said.

 

While the private sector expressed disappointment over the rating and concerns that the US could justify trade sanctions due to the Tier 2 status, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said she had instructed trade representatives in the US and other markets to explain how Thailand was handling the issue of trafficking.

 

The ministry maintained its 5-per-cent export growth target for this year, Apiradi said. 

 

The Tier 2 status would not have an immediate impact on trade with the US, said Thavorn Kanokvalee-wong, president of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association. “But we have to closely monitor whether the US will issue any follow-up measures that affect our exports,” he said. 

 

The Trump administration has recently complained that Thailand has too large a trade surplus with the US and plans to dispatch a trade delegation to negotiate with its Thai counterparts. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319396

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-29

[Samui Bodoh]

"He said the greatest concern expressed in the report was the inability of officials to catch so-called “big fish”, as many anti-trafficking raids had been conducted but few masterminds or high-ranking officials prosecuted."

 

This is the key to it all. 

 

Unless and until the "Big fish" get convicted and sent to jail, nothing will change. Period.

[yellowboat]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

limited prosecution of influential perpetrators

That is why Thailand should be tier 3.  A tier 2 rating looks to be a gift. 

 

Can still remember that policeman who left Thailand with his family in the middle of the night when he found out who he was investigating. 

[Smiley Face]

Quote

He said the greatest concern expressed in the report was the inability of officials to catch so-called “big fish”, as many anti-trafficking raids had been conducted but few masterminds or high-ranking officials prosecuted.

 

But the profits derived from downstream human trafficking are very lucrative it seems.  IS it any surprise that none of the Big Fish have been caught?  Police and army officials are lining their pockets more than likely.  After all, this is Thailand where corruption is elevated to an art form practiced from the top down.  Nothing will change, it's ingrained in the culture.  

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

because our society is still full of corruption and the misuse of power,” he said.

note the use of 'full'

[Thechook]

So the outside world isn't  falling for the crap dished up by the junta where a couple of peasants are presented as human traffickers whilst their hiso mates are living comfortably in Bangkok on the earnings.  When you have Governors and other hiso and connected people using child prostitutes and it is written off as a simple misunderstanding when accidently caught,  you will never get off tier two.

[garywim]

"here had been limited prosecution of influential perpetrators, she said."

By "limited: how many do they mean?

 1-5, 6-10 or None, probably

[wakeupplease]

The Trump administration has recently complained that >>>>>>> has too large a trade surplus with the US

 

Best wait till he arrives and give him the boot, nice wake up call that would be

 

try looking at the import tax on US goods might help Donald

[DoctorG]

We can probably expect, some time soon, the arrest of a "hi-so" person but that person will be of the rouge faction.

[al007]

Little will improve until purge on corruption

[Dave67]

This is about the 4th statement the Junta has made on TIP rating. Think its really pissed them off. Not used to be told what they should do

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

28 minutes ago, al007 said:

Little will improve until purge on corruption

How can that be done when those who are in charge of the country and those who put them in charge are the main beneficiaries of this trafficing? In the south trafficing camps was 200 m from army camps and slaves was transported through army roadblocks on a daily basis. But they only caught one army advisor? How can this be, is the army so clueless that they dont know what is going on around them or is it a case that soldiers was instructed to turn a blind eye? Thailand as you see it today is and was build on cheap unskilled labour and with no regard for the environment. When the Thais started to rebel against this the elites started to bring in migrants, when they got to expensive they started to traffic slaves. The proposed development of the SEZ in Burma is an attempt to export this principle to their neighbors. As this SEZ development has been stalled for many years they are now looking at the EEC which will be like a country on its own where human rights will be even more abused than the rest of the country. To ask of this government to prosecute the people behind trafficing is to ask a wrongdoer to prosecute him/herself.

[mikebell]

Nothing will change until the police are reformed and a new generation of honest cops are installed.  I'm not giddy with anticipation.

[clockman]

This has been going for at least 15 years. Every sector of society is involved. No police chiefs, no military, no government officials have been jailed? Only the scapegoats are caught..

[NextStationBangkok]

The fundamental problem is Thai's trust fair skinned westerners as Gods and Angels more than anyone coming from another country. They completely surrender to fair skinned people from western countries, because they look forward to connect with them in life, marriage etc. It is also the society that treats the woman married to a fair skinned western guy is of higher status. Someone make use of these, and try to manipulate the women to be in slavery. Once they are into slavery, out of shaming their parents back home if they return, it is better choice to remain underdogs and send money.

 

Only two things solve the issues. Parents should not treat the women as subjects for the income, and not to treat them as cash cows for marrying a western man. Society should treat well and change in the mindset towards the woman married to anyone having a good life, not just fair skinned westerners.

 

No one can help, but Thai's themselves to blame.

[NextStationBangkok]

9 minutes ago, clockman said:

This has been going for at least 15 years. Every sector of society is involved. No police chiefs, no military, no government officials have been jailed? Only the scapegoats are caught..

You forgot the masterminds of this network Immigration officials. Without their knowledge no Thai woman can exit the country.

[Yann55]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand had made remarkable progress on fisheries and sex workers, but there had been limited prosecution of influential perpetrators, she said.

Does anyone around believe the first half of that sentence for one second ?

[Eric Loh]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government’s continuing work was not intended to earn a favourable evaluation but sought to protect people, both Thais and foreigners, in the Kingdom according to humanitarian principles.

That's a lot of bull from the institution that keep protecting and shielding its own corruption. The chief investigator police Maj. Gen. Pawean has to seek asylum in Australia alleging death threats after he implicated Lt Gen Manas in a major Rohingya trafficking case. A General was alleged to threaten him to stop the investigation. Lt. Gen. Manas was a special adviser to the RTA. Junta PM keep harping about getting rid of corruption but corruption within the uniformed institutions continue unabated and protected.    

[Get Real]

One would think that everything is alright then.

[simple1]

Anyone interested can read the TIP Thailand 2017 report at:

 

https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2017/271297.htm

 

 

[gios50hk]

4 hours ago, Smiley Face said:

 

But the profits derived from downstream human trafficking are very lucrative it seems.  IS it any surprise that none of the Big Fish have been caught?  Police and army officials are lining their pockets more than likely.  After all, this is Thailand where corruption is elevated to an art form practiced from the top down.  Nothing will change, it's ingrained in the culture.  

Absolutely! This is also the reason why so many criminals are attracted to Thailand and that crime rates are spiralling out of control. Not only are criminals free to operate without any fear of investigation (much less capture and punishment) but even if they are, they simply bribe their way out of it.

 

Corruption in Thailand is 'a way of life' engrained in the Thai psyche and the only way to rid this greed-driven highly destructive mindset is to catch the big fish. If you kill the head of the snake, the body will die too.

Edited June 29, 2017 by gios50hk

[hanuman2543]

“ It is very hard because our society is still full of corruption and the misuse of power,” he said

 

This sums up the problem in one sentence. 

Edited June 29, 2017 by hanuman2543

[Chris Lawrence]

“I see the results of this year’s TIP report as an opportunity, as the United States’ assessment lets us know our weaknesses in fighting human trafficking so we can intensify our operation against traffickers,” Komvich said.

 

He said the greatest concern expressed in the report was the inability of officials to catch so-called “big fish”, as many anti-trafficking raids had been conducted but few masterminds or high-ranking officials prosecuted."

 

Look within your own ranks to find the people.

 

Generational change also needs to be challenged. Education on what abuse is and how it is covered up. Another countries assessment won't point out the flaws, but give the opportunity for this abuse to go further underground and become more sophisticated. 

 

And you can't name anyone otherwise they take you to caught for defamation. Where is that English jurno; he was good at this stuff.

[sawadee1947]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Trump administration has recently complained that Thailand has too large a trade surplus with the US and plans to dispatch a trade delegation to negotiate with its Thai counterparts. 

 

Don't worry....he is always complaining because he is too stupid. If Americans would be ABLE to produce the products they need then there would be no surplus. But because they neglected areas of engineering (e.g. machinery from Germany) they have to pay the bill.

[CantSpell]

5 hours ago, yellowboat said:

That is why Thailand should be tier 3.  A tier 2 rating looks to be a gift. 

 

Can still remember that policeman who left Thailand with his family in the middle of the night when he found out who he was investigating. 

They should be more worried about next year ranking since they surely won't arrest any of themselves big fishes...

 

2 years in T2 Watchlist means automatic downgrade to Tier 3 on 3rd year except if SIGNIFICANT Improvements are made...

Since I won't hold my breath on significant improvement, expect some Tier 3 ranking by next year 

[lvr181]

OMG.

 

What part of "DSI admits failure to prosecute top officials involved in human trafficking" etc., does the PM not understand? There is too much protection of 'entitled/rich/connected' persons! 

 

And the PM carries on like a hen with its head cut off, over some dancer! Some people just seem not able to understand words like priorities, accountability and responsibility. They will never make it to Thai 1.0 at this rate, let alone Thai 4.0!

 

While Thai authorities keep thinking that words, without action, are going to change anything they are sadly disillusioned.

 

Thankfully someone i.e. Wirawan “Boom” Mosby is an action person. Congratulations to her and I hope Thai authorities from the top down are able to get their heads out of the sand (or somewhere else where the sun does not shine) and really make an effort to stamp out all forms of corruption.

 

Alice in Wonderland characters come to mind.

Edited June 29, 2017 by lvr181
Additional comment

[Jim walker]

No big surprise to anyone here then

[stephen tracy]

3 hours ago, hanuman2543 said:

“ It is very hard because our society is still full of corruption and the misuse of power,” he said

 

This sums up the problem in one sentence. 

Agreed. Just need to change "our society" to "my government".

[hanuman2543]

42 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

Agreed. Just need to change "our society" to "my government".

Disagreed.  It is a problem of the whole society  and these problems are around for ages in Thailand and not only since 2014.

[Yann55]

3 hours ago, lvr181 said:

Alice in Wonderland characters come to mind.

I am more inclined to summon Alfred Jarry's King Ubu ...