Thailand Pledges to Combat Human Trafficking at UN Forum
Thailand's top officials pledged stronger enforcement and international cooperation to combat human trafficking at a UN forum in Vienna, emphasizing prevention through border security and cross-border intelligence sharing.
On June 30, 2024, Kantipon Rangsisawang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, announced that he led Thailand's delegation, accompanied by Prawit Roikaew, Director of the Human Trafficking Litigation Office at the Office of the Attorney General, and ministry officials, to participate in the 13th Working Group meeting on human smuggling and constructive dialogue sessions under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) held in Vienna, Austria on June 29-30, 2024.
On the first day of the meeting, June 29, two key issues were discussed: strengthening operational approaches and cross-border integration measures against migrant smuggling, and improving information exchange on smuggling cases. Participants recognized that migrant smuggling is an increasingly complex transnational crime linked to human trafficking, often perpetrated using advanced technology. The meeting therefore recommended supporting whole-of-route approaches spanning origin, transit, and destination countries, with enhanced international cooperation including rapid information and intelligence sharing, financial tracking, joint investigations, mutual legal assistance, personnel capacity building, modern detection tools, and stronger border security.
Kantipon emphasized that Thailand prioritizes surveillance, prevention, and strict law enforcement to ensure migration follows legal and safe pathways. Thailand is building cooperation with public agencies, the private sector, and international organizations to achieve these goals, consistent with UNTOC principles and the meeting's whole-of-route approach. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security stands ready to coordinate with all relevant agencies to implement the meeting's resolutions and provide comprehensive victim protection across all dimensions.
