A committee will be set up to work towards upgrading Thailand's status from a "Tier 3" country in the United States' report on human trafficking by next year, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.
Protesters hold posters with messages criticising the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as its chairwoman Amara Pongsapich, in the background, gives the opening speech to mark Wednesday's Human Rights Day at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road yesterday. The protesters accused the NHRC of failing to protect people's rights since the May 22 coup. Apichit Jinakul
Gen Prawit Wongsuwan predicted Thailand will be removed from the list of countries at the lowest level of the US's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report next year.
"The problem of human trafficking must be tackled and solved. We must ensure strict enforcement of the law and also fight against every form of corruption, especially the involvement of civil servants in human trafficking," Gen Prawit said.
The general presided over a meeting of the Office of Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Committee yesterday. The meeting was also attended by Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, and Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed Gen Prawit as chairman of the committee and was expected to assign Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong as vice-chairman, sources said.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Gen Prawit reiterated that greater efforts would be made to deal with human trafficking in all respects.
The US released its TIP report in June this year in which it downgraded Thailand from a country on the Tier 2 watch list to Tier 3, the lowest level, for its lack of progress in combating human trafficking.
Pol Gen Adul revealed, meanwhile, that the Social Development and Human Security Ministry has rescued 19 human-trafficking victims amid an official crackdown on human-trafficking rackets.
The Department of Special Investigation is now investigating the case, Pol Gen Adul said, adding he would work closely with the Foreign Ministry to help screen human-trafficking victims.
The minister also said the ministry would later this month open a new call centre, "1310", and a website where Thai women facing problems abroad can file complaints as New Year's gifts for citizens.