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Chula University Lecturer Reveals Human Trafficking Situation¹

March 12, 2006

On 21 February 2006 at First Hotel, Dr. Supang Chantavanich, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University said during the workshop on anti-trafficking of women and children that was organized by Office Of Promotion and Protection of the Disadvantaged and Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection, and Empowerment of Vulnerable Group, Ministry of Social development and Human Security that the number of trafficked persons, especially foreign women and children, is currently on the increase. They are usually stateless, migrating from Myanmar, Laos, China, Vietnam, and some are from hilltribes. Victims stated that traffickers are people in their communities – the acquaintance of their father and mother, community leader’s relatives, village headmen, district officers, and official authorities. They were paid for approximately 3,000-5,000 baht per person.

Dr. Chantavanich also said that the forms of trafficking for sexual exploitation have become more complicated. For example, virgin girls are now being sold for sexual purposes in Takiluek, Myanmar instead of in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. The sexual services are sometimes provided in a car to avoid the police. The trafficked young girls are Shan, Thai Lue, Xishuangbanna who are pretty and look “Thai.” Men are also being trafficked, usually from Cambodia and Myanmar to work on fishing boats. They are forced to work long hours and often spend 6 months to 1 year on the boat without being allowed to leave. Many men were put under anesthetic before being put on the boats.

Various trafficking routes also exist depending on starting point and destination. To go from Myanmar to Thailand, people travel through Mae Sai District-Chiang Rai, Mae Sod District- Tak, Sangkhaburu District-Kanchanaburi, and Ranong. From Lao PDR to Thailand, the routes go through Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakornpanom, Mukdaharn, and Ubon Ratchathani. People trafficked from Cambodia take the route of Aranya Prathet District- Sa Kaew, and Trad.

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¹ Daily News, 22 February 2006 (Source: UNIAP Thailand)