The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has boosted penalties under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, proposing violators face a prison term of eight years to life for the most serious offences.
The NLA backed the draft amendment unanimously with 177 votes, with five members abstaining. A panel will now work on the bill over the next 30 days.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo said human trafficking is worsening and penalties under the law as it stands were no longer a sufficient deterrent.
Some cases of human trafficking are linked to transnational criminal syndicates. The law will be amended to address these problems, Pol Gen Adul said.
Measures urging people who witness human trafficking to provide information to authorities will be included, Pol Gen Adul said.
A prevention and suppression of human trafficking committee, chaired by the prime minister, will oversee the law, including tougher inspections of frequent offenders, such as employers in factories and the fishing industry.
If human trafficking is found in these places, authorities can order a temporary halt to their operations.
Their operator's licence will be immediately suspended.
People who provide clues leading to the discovery of illegal activities will come under the protection of the authorities.
No civil and criminal charges will be filed against them, even if they were involved at an earlier stage in the offending.
For those who breach the law, a prison term of up to six months, or a fine of between 10,000-100,000 baht or both awaits.
If a victim of human trafficking is severely injured, those held to account for the crime will be sentenced to eight to 20 years in prison, and fined 160,000-400,000 baht. An offender will get life in prison if his victim ends up killed.