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"Some women go as far as having children with those Japanese men for an opportunity to work there legally and permanently," Pattaya Ruenkaew said.

Pattaya has also chaired a network of Thai women in Germany.

Yesterday's seminar took place at Chulalongkorn University.

"Qualitative research shows that the number of Thai women migrating to Japan and Germany has risen by 2,000 every year over the last three decades," she said, adding that the figure was based on women who have entered the foreign lands legally.

Currently, there are over 50,000 Thai women in Germany and more than 30,000 Thai women in Japan.

"Most of them are from Thailand's North, Northeast and South," Pattaya said.

She said these women could be categorised into three main groups: single mothers, sex workers and female singles who wish to climb the ladders of social status.

"Most of them have opted for migration because they have suffered from economic hardship or relationships crises back home," the researcher said, "These women usually migrat¬ed first to Hong Kong, Malaysia or Saudi Arabia before moving further to Japan and Germany".

Pattaya said aside from those who voluntarily moved to the foreign countries, there were women being duped by human traffickers.

"Many Thai women have been forced into the flesh trade," she said.

Pattaya called on the government to establish a working panel to properly regulate Thais going out of the country for jobs.

"The panel should include representatives from relevant ministries and nongovernmental organisations," she added.

Speaking at the same seminar, Patcharee Naewpanich from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry also commented that it was high time that relevant authorities seriously tackled the problem.

"A number of Thai girls were drugged and forced into sex trade. Some have contracted Aids," she said.

Foundation for Women chairperson Siriporn Skrobanek said some Thai women were also forced to smuggle drugs or jewellery along international routes.

"The government should take urgent steps to protect Thai people," she added.