Strict Law Enforcement Emphasized in Fighting Human Trafficking

8 June 2015

The Thai government attaches great importance to the problem of human trafficking, and it stresses strict law enforcement in dealing with this problem.

In his televised national address on 5 June 2015 in the program "Return Happiness to the People,” Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said that his government is ready to cooperate with the international community in anti-human trafficking operations.

He hopes that Thailand’s great efforts in fighting human trafficking will gain international recognition and that the country’s ranking in the United States' Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report will be upgraded. The Prime Minister stated that the Government wanted all sectors of Thai society to be aware of this issue and take part in preventing and suppressing trafficking in persons on a continual basis.

Anti-human trafficking had been included in the national agenda. While serious action must be taken against wrongdoers, trafficked victims must be taken care of and other related problems must be dealt with. The Prime Minister explained that human trafficking was involved not only with Rohingya migrants, or any groups of illegal migrants. The issue also exists in other forms, such as child labor, prostitution, beggars, and forced labor.

Also on 5 June 2015, the Prime Minister presided over the opening ceremony of the 2015 National Anti-Human Trafficking Day at Santi Maitri Building, Government House. Speaking at the ceremony, he pointed out that human trafficking is a matter of human rights violations. It has eroded confidence in Thailand’s industrial sector, especially exports, as well as economic performance. The problem has also affected the country’s image and reputation. Thai people must, therefore, join forces in seriously combating this issue.

The Government has expressed its strong intention to work closely with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academics, and the media in Thailand and abroad in an attempt to bring trafficking in persons under control.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is also stepping up efforts to handle other related issues, such as those concerning migrant workers, child prostitution, and beggars. At the same time, it is improving the operations of various relevant agencies, especially those in the justice process, for greater efficiency in handling the human trafficking problem.

He said that human trafficking is a complicated issue and could not be solved during a short period. However, he hopes that the situation will improve this year.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has launched a project "Thailand against Human Trafficking.” Donations are welcome for the project from now on until 5 September 2015, through the Kung Thai Bank, Account No. 021-0-17650-4. Proceeds will go to various foundations to help victims of human trafficking.

Transport Infrastructure Development Contributes to Thailand’s Tourism Growth

7 June 2015

Thailand is in the process of developing its transport infrastructure and is also stepping up efforts to attain the goal of becoming an aviation hub in this part of the world.

The developments in aviation and overland transport infrastructure will contribute to the country’s tourism growth and attract both quantity and quality visitor arrivals in the years to come.

Speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2015, held on 3-5 June 2015, the Acting Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, stated that Airports of Thailand Public Company is expanding three of Thailand’s key aviation gateways. The expansion at Bangkok’s main gateway, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, will almost double its annual handling capacity to 80 million passengers a year by 2020.

The renovation at Don Mueang International Airport, which handles low-cost airlines, will bring its annual capacity to 30 million passengers by 2015. In addition, Phuket International Airport is being expanded to more than double its annual capacity to 12.5 million passengers by 2016.

Overland travel will connect Thailand with its neighbors in the Greater Mekong Subregion, especially Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar. There are currently four friendship bridges linking Thailand with Lao PDR, from Nong Khai to Vientiane, Mukdahan to Savannakhet, Nakhon Phanom to Tha Khaek, and Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai to Houay Xai.

Mrs. Juthaporn said that intra-ASEAN travel will be served by plenty of air services and sea ports. It will allow visitors to Thailand to extend their vacation in order to explore the charming culture and various world-renowned tourist attractions in neighboring countries, which are all within three to four hours flying time, similar to the European countries.

In order to facilitate intra- and inter-regional travel, the ASEAN Connect Tourism campaign has been launched. The objectives are to entice visitors to experience new destinations in ASEAN and to promote the connection routes from Thailand to Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

The transport infrastructure will facilitate connectivity to, within, and around Thailand and its neighboring countries.

Concerning tourism growth, Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said that the Thai tourism industry is set for a promising future, thanks to increased arrivals projected from China, India, and the ASEAN countries, all of which are in Thailand’s immediate neighborhood.

In 2015, TAT has set a target of 28 million visitors, generating around US$42 billion, or 1.4 trillion baht, in revenue. TAT’s new marketing campaign "Discover Thainess” focuses on high-spending, long-staying niche markets, such as health and wellness, weddings and honeymoons, culinary tourism, and marine tourism.