Trafficking battle yet to be won

When Thailand’s ranking in anti-human trafficking efforts improved last year in the US annual assessment, the government boldly declared that Thailand would make the top ranking by 2023.

The US State Department usually releases its annual Trafficking in Persons Report in June, so we will soon learn if Thailand can meet this goal.

Last year, the US raised Thailand’s standing from Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2, bringing a huge relief to the government.

Had Thailand remained on the Tier 2 Watch List for two consecutive years, it risked being downgraded further to Tier 3 where it would sit among the world’s worst human trafficking offenders.

Apart from facing specific US sanctions, Thailand’s export sector would have suffered greatly as businesses would avoid doing trade with such a…