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Thai Women Urged to Be Cautious

Thai women seeking well-paid jobs in Bahrain and South Africa have been urged to exercise caution as they risk falling into the hands of human traffickers who will force them into prostitution.

A source at the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry said Bahrain and South Africa have become new job markets for Thai women as there has been a high demand for waitresses, cooks, domestic helpers and masseuses since 2003. However, many end up victims of sexual exploitation. Most of them pay high recruitment fees and transport costs, ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 baht, and become heavily indebted. It is vital that women thoroughly check job placement agencies and whether prospective work places are legal, the source said.

Many of those lured into forced prostitution have managed to flee and sought help from the Thai embassies, he said. However, many find it difficult to flee as they are under the control of criminal gangs and worry about their safety. Nearly 600 women sought help from the Thai embassies in Pretoria and Manama from 2003 to April 2006, the source said.

The source said the ministry will send officials to South Africa in July 2006 to seek cooperation with South African authorities in suppressing human trafficking, while police in Bahrain have been helpful in rescuing many Thai women in a series of raids on local brothels.

Adapted from: 'Women urged to be cautious.' Bangkok Post. 21 June 2006.