This could be the worst week ever for Thailand and its international human rights image. Overseas media has been heavily criticising the nation for lack of action on slave labour. The sudden and highly alarming raids and forced deportation of tens of thousands of migrants has attracted strong, negative attention in the region and among non-government groups. And in a couple of days, it is almost certain Thailand will be dumped by a US human trafficking report into the "worst of the worst" offenders category, equal to North Korea, Saudi Arabia and other slavery enablers.
How did it come to this imperfect storm of humiliation? It is particularly galling that the country is making such headlines in international circles while trying to adjust to yet another military regime. Between global refusal to welcome the army's actions and a storm of criticism on the most basic questions of human rights, it is a trying time. It is clear what happened to get the country into this mess. It is equally clear that vigorous action against human trafficking will solve the problem.
But it's not quite that simple to do. Take the latest problem first. For reasons that are as unclear as most of its actions, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) last week began sudden and forceful roundups of illegal migrants. Army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said the roundups, most of them during the curfew, were a security measure to remove all illegal aliens from Thailand. So tens of thousands of migrants were crammed inhumanely into military trucks, taken to the border and dumped. It is only an extension of similar, recent treatment and extortion of migrants and refugees, most notably Rohingya.
Immediately, there were claims from NGOs of brutality, beatings and — from Cambodian sources — nine alleged deaths by troops. NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha issued a statement praising migrant workers, meaning those with work papers. But around the region, there was only negative reaction. The reports of savage handling of the migrants should be addressed; the indiscriminate raids and heartless dumping should stop. But the new regime's appeal to nationalism and deportations will likely prevail, ensuring the country's image abroad will continue to suffer.
Last week, Thailand was the only country in the world to vote against a new International Labour Organisation pact that calls on each nation to free slaves and provide help. Also, a series of articles in the British media has once again exposed the indentured labour that supports Thailand's thriving seafood industry. Even the largest national conglomerate, the CP Group, was able to confirm that only 72% of its output is untainted by forced labour.
This week's US report on human trafficking, considered a "gold standard" by the world, will most likely further shame the country. Dropping Thailand into the so-called "Tier 3" of nations comes after three years of cautions from Washington, the UN and elsewhere.
A culture of acceptance of exploitation of migrants from neighbouring countries has enveloped the country. This has been caused by lack of action by successive governments, political and military. The current regime, instead of taking action against human trafficking, has piled on yet another layer of problems with its deportations at gunpoint.
It is not necessary to pass more laws, but to track and arrest traffickers under current laws. It is not necessary to protest international criticism, but to note the problems and act accordingly.