The Thai Government's Response to Human Trafficking : Areas of Strength and Suggestions for Improvement (Part I)

Abstract

Thailand had been on the U.S. TIP Report’s Tier 2 Watch List for four years in a row since 2010 and was downgraded to Tier 3 in June 2014. Thailand was downgraded to Tier 3 because it was deemed to not be making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards required by the TVPA. Tier 3 countries are subject to economic sanctions, though the President can waive sanctions if U.S. assistance would help the country combat trafficking.

This paper highlights the strengths and areas of needed improvement for the Thai government in its response to the overwhelming problem of human trafficking. Specifically, this paper first offers suggestions for anti-trafficking organizational bodies: the Department of Special Investigations’ Anti-Human Trafficking Center, the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Bureau of AntiTrafficking in Women and Children, and Non-Government Organizations. The paper then reviews the current anti-trafficking legislation and policies and offers suggested revisions. The paper concludes with two case spotlights of a successful response by the Thai government to sex trafficking victims and to labor trafficking victims. If the Thai government implements some of these suggestions, it will put Thailand in the best position possible to be upgraded to Tier 2 in the next TIP Report.