Thailand moved up to Tier 2 in US trafficking report

Thailand has been moved up to Tier 2 from the Tier 2 Watchlist in the United States 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report released by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday.

In last year's TIP Report, Thailand year was demoted from Tier 2 to the Tier 2 Watchlist.

The report said the Thai government had shown more attempts to combat human trafficking, compared to the year before. Because of its efforts to contain human smuggling despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand had been moved up to Tier 2.

If Thailand remained on the Tier 2 Watchlist for two consecutive years, it would have been automatically moved down to Tier 3. This means Thailand could then have been denied support from the US government in various fields which do not include humanitarian and trade assistance. The US could also raise an objection if Thailand sought help from international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank or non-governmental development organisations.

According to the 2022 TIP Report released by Mr Blinken on Tuesday, the US has blacklisted countries which are found to have turned a blind eye on forced sex services and allowed labour trafficking. The countries which have been blacklisted are Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei and Macau. Malaysia had been earlier blacklisted.