Remarks by
H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
16 January 2013 at 8.30 hours
The Royal Thai Police’s Command and Control Operation Center

Excellencies,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. I would like to firstly thank Commissioner-General Adul Saengsingkaew for welcoming us today as well as giving us a brief introduction to the Royal Thai Police’s Command and Control Operation Center.

I would also like to thank the members of the diplomatic corps for joining us today. The problem of human trafficking is a global challenge and requires all of us to work together. So this is a good opportunity for us to come together and be a part of the global efforts to combat human trafficking. 

Today’s briefing and the study visit to Samutsakorn province is part of the Thai government’s efforts to promote cooperation between the Thai government and the international community on eliminating human trafficking. It will show the Thai public and the international community the importance  attached by the government in addressing this challenge, and the commitment to making progress on its efforts.

As you are aware, there have been allegations in both domestic and foreign media about the Thai fishery industry’s involvement in human trafficking, as well as child labour and forced labour. This is a cause of grave concern to the Thai government, in addition to the industry itself, because such allegations would have repercussions on our country’s reputation and could possibly harm the industry.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year of Thailand’s commitment to combat trafficking in persons and to tackle the root cause of this crime by working closely with its partners at bilateral, regional and international levels. The Thai Cabinet approved a 5.1 million US dollars budget for its comprehensive Anti-Human Trafficking Plan for the fiscal year 2013.

We are working closely with our neighbouring countries, especially Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, in the prevention, suppression, as well as protection of victims of human trafficking. Our government has also sought cooperation with some of your countries and international organizations to tackle the problem. 

Domestically, the Thai authorities have been working in an integrated manner with all agencies concerned and in cooperation with the private sector and non-governmental organizations. 

Regarding cooperation with the private sector, I am pleased to inform you that at the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week, the Thai Frozen Foods Association has announced its readiness to accept any request made by embassies and concerned organizations to visit any of its members’ factories. They see it as an opportunity to show their good labour practices that their factories have adopted. It is also an opportunity to prove that their factories are free from either forced or child labour. We are currently working with the related agencies on detail arrangements for coordinating this matter.

Before closing, I wish to stress that in forging partnership with the international community, the Thai government is committed to work with your embassies in the following endeavours:

First, we welcome any information and evidence that you may have concerning any factories that may be involved with human trafficking, child labour or forced labour.

Second, today’s event is part of a planned series of activities. The next study visit will take you to see our efforts in other dimensions, such as on prosecution and protection. I believe that with cooperation from all parties, we can help to stop human trafficking.

So, once again, I wish to thank you all for joining us today and I look forward to your future participation.

Thank you.