Human Trafficking in Thailand

Human Trafficking in Thailand (2024–2025)

1. Type of Trafficking

• Thailand is a major transit and destination country for human trafficking.

• Victims are trafficked for:

  • Forced labor (especially in online scam compounds)

  • Sexual exploitation

  • Child labor

  • Domestic servitude

• Recent focus: Victims trafficked into Myanmar-based scam operations via Thailand.

2. Victim Nationalities

• Victims come from:

  • China, Ethiopia, the Philippines, India, Nepal, Thailand, and more.

• Many are lured with fake job offers, then trafficked across Thai borders into scam centers in Myanmar’s border regions.

3. Scale of the Problem

• Estimated 300,000+ people are still trapped in Southeast Asian scam compounds.

• Over 7,000 victims have been rescued near the Thai–Myanmar border in 2025.

• 260 victims (mostly Ethiopian) were repatriated via Thailand in February 2025.

4. Victim Treatment & Challenges

• Many victims are misidentified as criminals (especially those forced into fraud work), leading to:

  • Detention

  • Prosecution

  • Lack of proper support or protection

• Survivors report beatings, electric shocks, and starvation in scam camps.

5. Government Action

• Thailand remains ranked Tier 2 in the US TIP Report (2023–2024):

  • Progress in arrests, victim rescues, and international cooperation.

  • Still lacks strong victim identification and consistent enforcement.

• Recent measures:

  • Created National Anti-Trafficking Centre of Excellence with Australia.

  • Increased funding (~US $3 million) for anti-trafficking efforts.

  • Ratified key agreements (e.g. UN TIP Protocol, ASEAN ACTIP).

6. Key Issues

• Corruption & complicity by officials at borders and in law enforcement.

• Lack of shelter and mental health care for rescued victims.

• Slow repatriation process, especially for foreigners.

• Use of Thai infrastructure (internet, power) by traffickers.

7. NGO and Civil Society Response

• Organizations supporting survivors:

  • The Exodus Road – shelters for women, supported by UN.

  • Human Help Network Foundation (HHNFT) – child and migrant protection.

  • EMPOWER Foundation – sex worker-led advocacy for rights and safety.

  • UNODC and other international partners provide training and policy guidance.

✅ Final Note

Thailand is making gradual improvements in combating human trafficking, but:

• Needs stronger protection for scam victims.

• Must address corruption and victim misidentification.

• Requires greater international coordination to dismantle regional trafficking networks.