Human trafficking victims still lack protection

"There are so many problems when victims contact police to file complaints," Ekalak Lhumchomkhae of the Mirror Foundation said recently.

He said, for example, investigators clearly viewed it was too complicated to have a multidisciplinary team present during the interrogation of a victim younger than 18, as required by the Act.

"That's why many cases hit a dead end in the process involving investigators," Ekalak said.

He heads the antihuman trafficking centre at the Mirror Foundation.

"Also, there is no concrete measure to protect witnesses," Ekalak added, "Many human traffickers can still walk around scotfree these days".

Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai admitted bringing human traffickers to justice was a slow process - pointing out many humantrafficking victims ended up in foreign countries where most could not get help.

Friends of Women Foundation director Thanawadee Thajeen, called on the government to seek cooperation from fellow Asean members in laying down measures to fight human trafficking and also to protect victims.

"After being lured by human traffickers, Thai women in Singapore and Malaysia often live in dire conditions," Thanawadee said. "Thailand should sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the destination countries to help the victims sent there".

She said without the MOU, Thai victims could be caught and punished for illegally entering the destination countries.

Aside from Malaysia and Singapore, Thai humantrafficking victims have been lured to Bahrain, Japan, South Africa, Italy, Libya, Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, Timor and many more.

"From Bahrain alone, 290 Thai women and children have been rescued and brought back to Thailand since 2003," Issara said.

He said his ministry had been in talks with Australia, South Africa and Malaysia about the MOU relating to human trafficking. "We will take care of victims from their countries and they will take care of victims from ours," Issara said.

Bureau of AntiTrafficking in Women and Children director, Yanee Lertkrai said Thailand had struck an agreement with Australia about help Thai humantrafficking victims can get if lured to work there.

"Australian police have agreed to pay all expenses for the victim when he or she needs to fly back to Australia to testify. At least one victim has already received such assistance," Yanee said.

Human Trafficking

Location   Number of Thai child/female victims being sent back to Thailand (2003 to present)

Bahrain  290

Malaysia  228

Japan  208

South Africa 158

Libya    56

Source: Bureau of AntiTrafficking in Women and Children