MFA:Thailand makes progress on anti-human trafficking

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that there was considerable progress in attempts to address human trafficking-related problems in Thailand last year and it is expected that Bangkok should receive recognition from developed countries, especially the United States. Accompanied by other four concerned authorities, Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told a press conference on Friday that Thailand's official report on human trafficking-related problems for 2014 has been completed and it will later be translated into English and distributed to foreign countries. Don noted that the Thai government has put the anti-human trafficking policy as urgent national agenda, while Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered concerned government agencies to resolve the problem and to punish officials found to have involved in the illegal business. According to the deputy foreign minister, related government agencies have been instructed to follow five strategic measures to address the human trafficking-related problems, including imposing criminal charges against those found guilty of human trafficking, providing assistance and protecting victims and setting up a policy committee to solve illegal migrant workers, child and forced labour and illegal fishing. The deputy foreign minister stated that about 1.6 million illegal foreign workers have been registered at 87 registration offices nationwide so far, while a hotline has also been set up to accept complaints from the public round-the clock. The deputy foreign minister foresaw that the report, which shows Thailand's considerable progress on addressing human trafficking-related problems, would help improve Thailand’s ranking. On June 20, 2014, Washington downgraded Thailand in its annual report on Trafficking in Persons, droping the country to “Tier 3” after holding the Kingdom on the Tier 2 warning list for four consecutive years. The United States accused five Thai sectors, including shrimp, textiles, sugarcane, pornographic materials and fisheries, of using child and forced labour. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Social Development and Human Security Vichien Chavalit told the press conference that prostitution, fishermen and beggar problems have been suppressed in Thailand on the regular basis over the past year. Vichien insisted that the human trafficking-related problems in Thailand have been ironed out, with considerable progress, in line with international standards. (TNA)