Thailand praises US upgrade in human trafficking report

Thailand praises US upgrade in human trafficking report

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon says Thailand welcomed the US State Department to upgrade the country in the Trafficking in Persons report. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon says Thailand welcomed the US State Department to upgrade the country in the Trafficking in Persons report. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

The government is praising the US State Department's decision to upgrade the country in its annual report on efforts to fight human trafficking.

Thailand has faced global scrutiny for the use of slave labour on fishing vessels as well as for being a transit point for traffickers from nearby nations. In the Trafficking in Persons report released on Thursday, Thailand was promoted from a watch list to tier 2, the second-highest ranking.

The report cited its convictions of traffickers and complicit officials, including 11 involved in the trafficking of Myanmar's Rohingya migrants.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Friday he was grateful for the upgrade as it "reflects the determination and sincere intentions of the Thai government and our continued hard-work to tackle the issue of human trafficking.''

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (8)