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News & Updates

24-hour Hotline Operational in Thailand1

July 2005

A 24-hour call centre set up to help tackle human trafficking and provide assistance to the public on social problems became operational on 29 July 2005 following a successful trial period.

The Prachabodi 1300 Centre was initially launched by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security under the government's policy against human trafficking. It aims to provide counseling and assistance to people who having problems of their own or witnessing any forms of human trafficking.

Boontham Pikulsri, adviser to the ministry, said the centre was an upgraded version of the ministry's 1507 hotline service. The Prachabodi Centre is better equipped, with an efficient computer system and additional staff, can better respond to calls from the public, and provide psychological counseling.

The centre operates 24 hours a day and is staffed by 40 people, both government officials and volunteers – all have trained as counselors. Social workers and psychologists are available to provide advice on how to handle particularly sensitive cases. Two mobile units will be on duty for outdoor operations when help is urgently required.

To mark the official launch of the centre, the ministry has joined with TV Direct Ltd. on a "human trafficking wristband" campaign to raise public awareness of the issue. The wristbands come in pairs, black and pink, along with a small leaflet providing facts about human trafficking and how Thailand has been affected. One set costs 180 baht. The income from selling wristbands will go to the anti-human trafficking foundation soon to be set up by the ministry.

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¹ "24 hour 1300 Hotline Now Open." Bangkok Post, 28 July 2005.