The Agriculture Ministry is confident the European Union (EU) will not impose fishing trade sanctions against Thailand as the country has made progress in tackling labour abuses in the industry.
Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya said the government has taken steps to ease the EU's concerns, especially an action plan to tackle illegal fishing.
"From now on until August, we will go all out. We might not solve all the problems, but at least we hope to make further progress," he said.
Mr Pitipong said the EU could issue a warning for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) next month if the government fails to combat illegal fishing.
A warning will put Thailand at risk of fishing trade sanctions to EU markets but he believed the country will not be banned from the EU.
The value of trade to the EU is about 32 billion baht a year.
The minister said the EU's reaction to the work it has done so far has been positive.
The ministry is pushing for a new law, expected to come into force in April. The measure will strengthen the fishing community's ability to take care of marine resources and sets stronger punishments for illegal fishing or possessing illegal fishing equipment.
The ministry is also arranging a plan of action, which will be complete next month, covering illegal fishing and marine conservation.
The EU last year reported on fishing activities in Thailand and found many fishing practices were not in line with regulations, especially human trafficking and abuse of labour.
The EU has threatened to impose trade sanctions if the government fails to come up with plans to deal with the problem.
The government last year registered illegal migrant workers as a first step.
Wimol Jantrarotai, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary, said state agencies are inspecting labourers' work permits and ensuring their rights are protected.
It is also tracking fishing vessels, and keeping an eye on vessel owners.