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"We're releasing the information now so that the new Bangkok governor can take urgent action," Ekalak Lhumchomkhae, head of the Mirror Foundation's anti-trafficking unit, said yesterday.

The governor's election is set for January 11.

Human trafficking has persisted in Bangkok many decades now, he said. "So many victims are lured to work on fishing trawlers."

The scouts station themselves at the Mor Chit bus terminal, Sanam Luang, Rommaninart Park, Hua Lamphong train station and Wong Wian Yai.

Rommaninart Park is opposite the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration office. Many migrants nap under the shade trees there and at Sanam Luang while trying to find work.

"The victims fall into the trap because the human traffickers claim they can offer good-paying jobs," Ekalak said.

Some are also duped right after they walk into recruitment agencies in Wong Wian Yai.

"Our staff have conducted extensive surveys to gather this information," he said.

Tighter security measures should help prevent such cases. The traffickers usually disguise themselves as bus-ticket sellers or taxi drivers while roaming around Mor Chit bus terminal to evade detection by officials.

"The Southern bus terminal has good security measures. It bans sellers from touting bus tickets and requires passengers to produce bus tickets or exchange their national identification cards for visitor passes before entering the facility," he said.

Although the National Police have launched crackdowns at Hua Lamphong, at least one big ring is still very active.

"We have just rescued one 14-year-old boy after he was sold to a fishing trawler in Samut Prakan. He said traffickers lured him from Hua Lamphong on May 27," Ekalak said.

The workers are reportedly sold to fishing boats at Bt10,000-Bt30,000 per head.