The meeting, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri was held at the Provincial Welfare and Labour Protection Office, joined by Thanapong Onchar, chief of the Phuket Provincial Welfare and Labour Protection Office, and other key officials.
The ‘working group’ was established under a provincial mandate to integrate efforts in inspecting labour conditions and addressing human trafficking in marine fisheries and related businesses. The initiative focuses on safeguarding the rights of workers, preventing exploitation and improving inter-agency cooperation for more effective enforcement, said an official report of the meeting.
The meeting reviewed progress made during the fiscal year. Four integrated inspections of fishing vessels at sea were carried out, involving 16 boats and 389 crew members. Among the workers, 35 were Thai, 328 were Myanmar nationals and 26 were Cambodian nationals.
The meeting also discussed Thailand’s ranking in the US Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, where Thailand remains in ‘Tier 2’ for the third consecutive year.
The ranking denoted by the annual report is to reflect ongoing efforts by the government to combat trafficking, including increased victim identification, prosecution of offenders, and victim support services.
Vice Governor Ronnarong emphasised that tackling human trafficking remains a national priority for Thailand. He noted significant strides made, such as the establishment of victim screening centres and compensation frameworks, but highlighted areas for improvement to comprehensively address the issue.
The meeting also provided a platform for participating agencies to share challenges, propose solutions, and outline objectives for 2025, said the report.
Suggestions included enhancing inter-agency coordination, increasing public awareness and implementing stricter enforcement measures to protect both Thai and foreign workers in accordance with human rights principles.
The officials reiterated their commitment to expanding capabilities and improving operational efficiency in the fight against human trafficking.
“This collaborative approach ensures the protection of workers and strengthens Thailand’s stance as a nation dedicated to eradicating labour exploitation,” Mr Ronnarong stated, said the report.