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Thailand's Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia

On May 31, 2003, Thailand and Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation to Eliminate Trafficking in Children and Women to provide a legal framework for joint efforts in dealing with the problem. Dr. Saisuree Chutikul from Thailand was instrumental in these bilateral efforts through her leadership in initiating the process and in the negotiations between the countries. It is hoped that the MOU will serve as a model for Thailand's cooperation with other countries in the Mekong sub-region.

Measures in the MOU include cooperation in providing services to trafficking victims, establishing mechanisms to decrease incidents of trafficking, instituting legal reforms, and prosecuting traffickers. The MOU sets forth prevention strategies, including implementing vocational and educational programs, and also calls for the establishment of a Focal Point in order to safely repatriate women and children. To ensure implementation of the MOU, a Joint Task Force is being created.

On the question of alien workers working illegally in the country, Thailand has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Employment of Workers with Lao PDR and Cambodia. The MOU is an instrument to bring those who are illegally employed in the country into the legal fold so that they could enjoy rights, protection and proper treatment within the provisions of laws.