Thailand working hard to combat human trafficking

29 July 2015
Thailand working hard to combat human trafficking
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Photo: Diego Azubel/EPA

Thailand is working hard to combat human trafficking, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday, adding he hoped Thailand would be lifted from a U.S. list of worst human trafficking centres next year VOA reported on 28 July.
The U.S. State Department highlighted in its annual report on trafficking the suspected role of Thai officials as an obstacle Thailand will have to overcome to stop the trade.
The report covered Thailand's efforts to eliminate trafficking for the year through to March.
A recent crackdown came too late to persuade the United States to take Thailand off the list, Prayuth said, but U.S. diplomats recognized his administration's intent to end trafficking.
Thailandsaid it "strongly disagrees" with the decision to keep it on the lowest ranking.
The Thai Embassy in Washington said the decision failed to take into account significant efforts undertaken by the Thai government on all fronts during the past year.
Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn said the United States had complimented recent efforts and he was "confident" of being lifted from the lowest ranks of human trafficking centres next year.