by Allanah Leahy – EM TV Online
Thailand’s state prosecutor recently charged more than 100 human traffickers, 91 of whom were Thai nationals. The Southeast Asian country this week established a division exclusively for handling cases of human trafficking, corruption and misbehaviour by state officials.
A memorandum of understanding on human trafficking was signed between several law enforcement departments, including the police and the office of the attorney general.
Supreme Court President, Direk Ingkaninan, said the division is much needed in handling cases that have a negative impact on the society and economy, while involving highly influential figures and organised crime.
Coordination agencies are to be set up at the government bodies involved, to efficiently complete legal processes. Human trafficking in Thailand is usually in the fields of sexual exploitation and forced labour, including maritime and fishing work.
Thailand responded to their second blacklisted year in a row by the US government. The Trafficking in Persons report was dismissed by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said the report is inaccurate in its discounting of any government action taken.
