Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Thailand
Moderate Advancement
In 2020, Thailand made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. During the reporting period, the government made its Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force into a permanent agency, and led the biggest and most successful online child sexual exploitation sting operations in Thailand. The government also collaborated closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies and other partners, leading to 97 arrests for the commercial sexual exploitation of children and the rescue of 43 children. In total, Thai police rescued 72 children from commercial sexual exploitation in 2020. In addition, the government enacted a law that sets the minimum age for workers employed as deep sea divers at 18 years old and proposed an amendment allowing teenage children of boat captains to intern only on their family's fishing boats. The government also piloted its first shelter to provide services specifically to LGBTQI+ victims. However, children in Thailand are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children, some as young as age 12, also participate for remuneration in Muay Thai competitions, an area of hazardous work in which there is evidence of serious head injuries. Although the government made meaningful efforts in all relevant areas during the reporting period, it does not meet the international standard for the minimum age for work because the law does not grant protections to children working outside of formal employment relationships. Enforcement of child labor laws also remains a challenge due to an insufficient number of inspectors and resources to physically inspect remote workplaces in informal sectors.
Children in Thailand are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children, some as young as age 12, also participate for remuneration in Muay Thai competitions, an area of hazardous work in which there is evidence of serious head injuries. (1-16) Table 1 provides key indicators on children's work and education in Thailand.
|
Children |
Age |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
Working (% and population) |
5 to 14 |
13.0 (1,302,267) |
|
Attending School (%) |
5 to 14 |
96.3 |
|
Combining Work and School (%) |
7 to 14 |
14.4 |
|
Primary Completion Rate (%) |
94.4 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2021. (17)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization’s analysis of statistics from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 3 (MICS 3), 2005–2006. (18)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.
|
Sector/Industry |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture |
Processing shrimp and seafood† (4,19-21) |
|
Fishing, including work performed on sea vessels† (4,20,22,23) |
|
|
Planting and harvesting sugarcane (19,24-26) |
|
|
Production of rubber and pineapples (27) |
|
|
Industry |
Manufacturing, including garment production (4,28) |
|
Working in poultry factories, and working on pig farms (16,29) |
|
|
Construction, including transporting cement and bricks (4,16,19,30,31) |
|
|
Services |
Domestic work (27,32) |
|
Work in restaurants, motorcycle repair shops, and gas stations (4,16,19,33,34) |
|
|
Street work, including begging and vending (4,16,23,35,36) |
|
|
Muay Thai fighting (2-4,6-12,14,16,37,38) |
|
|
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ |
Commercial sexual exploitation, including use in the production of pornography, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (1,4,5,23,32,33,39-42) |
|
Forced labor in vending, begging, and domestic work, each sometimes as a result of human trafficking (4,5,16,28,32) |
|
|
Forced labor in the production of garments, in agriculture, and in shrimp and seafood processing (4,40) |
|
|
Fishing, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (4,22,28,32,43) |
|
|
Use in the production and trafficking of drugs, including amphetamines, kratom, and marijuana (4,27,40) |
† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.
Thai children and children from Burma, Laos, and Cambodia, are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation in Thai massage parlors, bars, karaoke lounges, hotels, and private residences. In addition, children are increasingly being individually lured by predators online through social media and private chat rooms, and being coerced to produce pornography and perform sexual acts. (4,5,23,32,33,39,44,45)
Incidents of child labor in the shrimp and seafood processing industry have decreased in recent years, but children, particularly migrants from the Greater Mekong Subregion, continue to engage in hazardous work in this industry. (4,20,21,32,43,46,47) Children engaged in shrimp and seafood processing work late hours cleaning and lifting heavy loads of seafood and experience health problems such as physical injuries and chronic diseases. (48) Similarly, children working in agriculture face health risks from lifting heavy loads, risk injury from operating dangerous machinery and using sharp equipment, and are exposed to pesticides, sun and heat, and long hours from very early in the morning until nighttime. (16,27) Thai and migrant children who accompany their parents working in the construction sector are exposed to child labor at and around construction sites, including performing construction work or working as caretakers for younger children or as housekeepers. (4,30,31,49) Based on NGO reporting and the fact that the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force received a 121 percent increase in tips, there was an increase in the number of cases of online sexual exploitation of children, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and students being out of school. (13,23)In response to this increase, the government made TICAC into a permanent agency in September 2020. During the reporting period, TICAC increased its efforts to combat and investigate online sexual exploitation of children. (13,23)
Children also participate in Muay Thai competitions, an area of work in which there is evidence of serious head injuries, including deteriorated nerve fibers around the brain stem and a fatal 2018 case of a brain hemorrhage for a 13-year-old boy participating in Muay Thai. Children receive remuneration in the form of prize money or wages, and research found that betting and illegal gambling on the outcome of children’s matches occurs often during Muay Thai competitions. (2,4,6,12,14,37) The Royal Thai Government began drafting its Boxing Act Amendment in 2018, but currently the draft amendment to add a minimum age requirement for Muay Thai is being considered by the Sport Committee at the House of Representatives. No changes were enacted to the Thai Boxing Act as of December 2020. (4,16,38,50-52)
Order No. 28/2559 of the National Council for Peace and Order ensures 15 years of free education for all children in Thailand. Language barriers cause some children, particularly migrants and ethnic minorities, to struggle to access basic education, as school applications are only available in Thai. (4,40,50,53) Although children without identity documents or a registered address cannot be denied enrollment in public schools, research found that there is a lack of clarity among school officials regarding the type of documentation non-Thai students need to possess to enroll in school, which may be a barrier to education access. (4,54,55) The government published an Education Ministerial Proclamation and the Guideline on Enrollment of Non-Thai Children to help clarify the rules and regulations pertaining to enrollment of children in school. (29,56,57) In 2020, the Thai Government also conducted workshops on these guidelines to increase knowledge among school officials. (52) Children identifying as LGBTQI+ and those experiencing poverty, drug addiction, family problems, and teen pregnancy, may have additional barriers to education access due to increased harassment and bullying, which may increase their risk of dropping out of school and engaging in child labor. (58-60) Due to the pandemic, migrant schools were closed, which led many migrant students to seek jobs in the seafood industry. (61)
Thailand has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
|
Convention |
Ratification |
|---|---|
|
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age |
✓ |
|
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor |
✓ |
|
UN CRC |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict |
✓ |
|
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography |
✓ |
|
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons |
✓ |
The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in Thailand's legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including not meeting the international standard for the minimum age for work.
|
Standard |
Meets International Standards |
Age |
Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Age for Work |
No |
15 |
Chapter 4, Section 44 of the Labor Protection Act; Section 148/1 of the Labor Protection Act (No. 5) (62,63) |
|
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work |
Yes |
18 |
Chapter 4, Sections 49–50 of the Labor Protection Act; Section 148/2 of the Labor Protection Act (No. 5); Chapter 2, Article 26(6) of the Child Protection Act; Chapter 4, Section 20 of the Home Workers Protection Act (62-65) |
|
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children |
Yes |
Chapter 4, Sections 49–50 of the Labor Protection Act; Clause 4 of the Ministerial Regulation concerning Labor Protection in Sea Fishery Work; Clause 2 of the Ministerial Regulation Identifying Tasks that may be Hazardous to the Health and Safety of Pregnant Women or Children Under the Age of Fifteen Years (62,66,67) |
|
|
Prohibition of Forced Labor |
Yes |
Sections 312 and 312 bis of the Penal Code; Section 6/1 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (No. 3); Sections 1 and 2 of the Amendment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (68,69,70) |
|
|
Prohibition of Child Trafficking |
Yes |
Sections 282–283 of the Penal Code; Section 6 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (No. 3) (68,69) |
|
|
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Yes |
Section 8 of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act; Section 6 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (No. 3); Sections 282 and 285–287 of the Penal Code; Section 26 of the Child Protection Act; Amendment to the Penal Code Act No. 24 (64,68,71,72,73) |
|
|
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities |
Yes |
Section 26 of the Child Protection Act; Section 93 of the Narcotics Act; Section 84 of the Penal Code; Section 22 of the Beggar Control Act (64,74-76) |
|
|
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment |
Yes |
18 |
Section 25 of the Military Service Act (77) |
|
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military |
Yes |
Section 25 of the Military Service Act (77) |
|
|
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups |
No |
||
|
Compulsory Education Age |
Yes |
16 |
Section 17 of the National Education Act (78) |
|
Free Public Education |
Yes |
Section 10 of the National Education Act (78) |
During the reporting period, the Government of Thailand enacted the Implementation on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Environment for Diving Work 2020, an implementing regulation for Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Act on Occupational Safety, Heath and Working Environment 2011. The new law, which came in to force July 19, 2020, sets the minimum age for workers employed in diving work at 18 years old. (16) The government also proposed an amendment that would allow owners of fishing boats to employ relatives as young as 16 as interns, even though Thailand has identified fishing on sea vessels as a form of hazardous labor. (15,79)
The minimum age for work does not comply with international standards because the law does not grant protections to children working outside of employment relationships. In addition, because the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, some children may be encouraged to leave school before the completion of compulsory education. (62,63,78)
The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.
|
Organization/Agency |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Department of Labor Protection and Welfare (DLPW) of the Ministry of Labor (MOL) |
Enforces child labor laws through workplace inspections. (27) Operates Hotline 1509 and staffs 86 labor protection and welfare offices in every province to answer questions about working conditions and receive complaints from the public about child labor. (4,50,80) During the reporting period, received 260 calls related to child labor violations, most of which were related to the employment of children under the minimum age for work. (16) In 2020, agency's labor inspectors filed charges against 10 enterprises for child labor law violations, specifically for employing 44 children under the minimum age for work. Also during the reporting period, began drafting a Ministerial Regulation on Fishery Worker Protection, which is under consideration by the Sub-Committee on the Scrutiny of Laws related to Fishery Sector and Fishery Works. (16) |
|
Anti-Human Trafficking Units |
The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) enforces laws related to forced labor, human trafficking, child pornography, and commercial sexual exploitation of children, and operates Hotline 191 to receive complaints on human trafficking and violence against children. (80,81) The Department of Trafficking in Persons Litigation under the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigates human trafficking offenses, including cases of labor, sex, and child trafficking, and monitors provincial human trafficking cases to improve the quality of prosecutions. (50,82,83) The Thailand Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (TATIP) investigates and enforces laws against human trafficking in the sex trade and mainstream industries. TATIP teams comprise police officers, social workers, and selected NGO representatives. (50,82,83) The Department of Special Investigation's (DSI) Bureau of Human Trafficking Crime is tasked with enforcing and investigating human trafficking cases. (4,49) In 2020, DSI and the Department of Provincial Administration held workshops to enhance capacity in suppressing and preventing child sexual exploitations and online human trafficking. (23) OAG, in collaboration with an NGO, also held a 3-day seminar on the process of prosecution of human trafficking and online child exploitation. Seminar participants helped develop a handbook for law enforcement officers and a Standard Operating Procedure that would form a basis for Memorandum of Understanding between agencies related to anti-human trafficking agencies. (23) |
|
Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (TICAC) |
Investigates and enforces laws against child trafficking and the online sexual exploitation of children, including the distribution and production of child pornography. (4,5,23,84) Comprises police officers, DSI agents, social workers, and selected NGO representatives. (4,29,49,82,83) In September 2020, was established as a permanent subdivision under the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, now also referred to as the Anti-Online Child Sexual Exploitation Subdivision. (84) While the task force previously consisted of an ad hoc group of officers from other divisions who also had other main responsibilities, the new subdivision has 17 dedicated officers. TICAC also collaborated closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies and other partners, leading to the rescue of over 43 children and 97 arrests. (84) In 2020, investigated 94 cases, and launched a nationwide cyber sting operation in response to the uptick in the number of online child exploitation cases, leading to 44 arrests and 9 search operations across 24 provinces, and uncovering over 150,000 files of child sexual abuse material involving over 100 children. This was the biggest and most successful operation to combat online child sexual exploitation in Thailand to date. (23,84,85) In total, Thai police rescued 72 children from commercial sexual exploitation in 2020. (16) In conjunction with the Human Trafficking Police Division, Office of the Attorney General, and Hug Project Foundation, organized a new project which provides training and information on how to prevent victimization and exploitation of children in the production and distribution of pornographic media. (16) |
|
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) |
Enforces child protection laws through close collaboration with the RTP, DSI, DLPW, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; operates Hotline 1300, which receives human trafficking and child labor complaints. Operates 76 temporary shelters located in every province and 9 long-term shelters for human trafficking victims, including a shelter dedicated solely to boys. (4,5,32,64,86) In 2020, piloted its first shelter area that provides services dedicated specifically to LGBTQI+ victims. (23,84) During the reporting, the average length of victims’ stays in shelters also decreased, from an average of 288 days to 158 in 2020, due to improving prosecution and reintegration processes. As of 2020, all shelters employed psychologists, provided victims with access to communication devices, and increased financial assistance and funds for personal expenses. (23,84) |
Even though the incidence of child labor law violations has decreased in the shrimp and seafood processing sectors, Thailand continues to closely monitor the industry for child labor through 32 Port In-Port Out (PIPO) Centers and 19 Forward Inspection Points (FIP) along the coasts. These operations enforce laws related to fishing, forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking. (4,21,22,29,47,49)
During the reporting period, the government also set up a joint Thailand-U.S. task force as a platform for exchanging information and updates on Thailand’s progress in combating trafficking in persons and discussing ways to further cooperate. The task force met twice in 2020. (84) TICAC, along with NGOs, private sector partners, and the Thai Media Fund, produced "The Leaked," a series of three short films to raise awareness among youth on the threat of online sexual exploitation, which was broadcast on social media, and received over 1.5 million views and 73,000 subscribers. (23)
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2020, labor law enforcement agencies in Thailand took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including human resource allocation.
|
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Labor Inspectorate Funding |
$992,428 (4) |
$1,135,774 (16) |
|
Number of Labor Inspectors |
1,813 (4) |
1,889 (16) |
|
Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties |
Yes (62) |
Yes (62) |
|
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted |
42,956 (4) |
39,723 (16) |
|
Number Conducted at Worksite |
42,956 (4) |
39,723 (16) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations Found |
360 (4) |
10 (16) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed |
65 (29) |
10 (16) |
|
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected |
16 (29) |
10 (16) |
|
Routine Inspections Conducted |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Routine Inspections Targeted |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Permitted |
Yes (62) |
Yes (62) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Conducted |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Complaint Mechanism Exists |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
The number of labor inspectors is insufficient for the size of Thailand's workforce, which includes approximately 38.45 million workers. According to the ILO’s technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in developing economies, Thailand would employ about 2,558 labor inspectors. (87,88)
The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) has authority over the Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing's (CCCIF) PIPO and FIP operations and the mandate to enforce Thai labor laws on fishing vessels—including stopping, searching, detaining, and arresting violators on vessels—within Thai waters or those fleeing to international waters. (4,5,16,29,80,89) The Department of Labor Protection and Welfare (DLPW) continued to use mobile inspection teams that consisted of labor inspectors, a legal affairs officer, interpreters, and sometimes employees from the Departments of Special Investigation; Employment; and Fisheries. (27,53) Although CCCIF and DLPW have made efforts to actively exchange information with NGOs, research indicated that CCCIF and DLPW have not made efforts to reach out to migrant community NGOs or networks to exchange information on high-risk workplaces or provide training on child labor issues. (27,50) Child labor inspections in informal sectors remain insufficient due to labor inspectors' inability to access remote work places and safety concerns for inspectors. Pandemic related restrictions on movements also inhibited inspections in the formal and informal sectors. (16)
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2020, criminal law enforcement agencies in Thailand took actions to combat child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of the criminal enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including training for criminal investigators.
|
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Number of Investigations |
Unknown (4) |
Unknown (16) |
|
Number of Violations Found |
2,425 (4) |
Unknown (16) |
|
Number of Prosecutions Initiated |
71 (4) |
26 (16) |
|
Number of Convictions |
Unknown (4) |
Unknown (16) |
|
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to The Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (4) |
Yes (16) |
Research indicated that there is a lack of understanding of the use of male children in commercial sexual exploitation among some provincial government and court officials due to the notion that boys are stronger than girls and should be able to defend themselves against perpetrators. In addition, there is no training provided to officials specifically covering victim assistance for boys. (5,29,52) However, the Thai government has established a shelter specifically for boys who are victims of human trafficking. In 2020, the MSDHS worked with Save the Children Foundation and Thailand Association of Social Workers to conduct monthly trainings for the shelter staff over 2 to 5 days. (52)These training consisted of both online and physical training at the shelter depending on the situation and the issue of exploitation of boys was included in the training topics. (52) Human trafficking may be underreported due to inconsistencies in the identification process. (23,52) Research also indicates that there are human trafficking enforcement training gaps, including understanding the gravity of human trafficking crimes and victim identification training amongst police, prosecutors, and judges. (90) In addition, nine officials suspected of complicity in human trafficking activities were subjected to criminal investigation and prosecution. (84) In 2020, of 199 human trafficking cases decided, 157 were convicted, 22 were acquitted, and 20 were dismissed. (52)
The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).
|
Coordinating Body |
Role & Description |
|---|---|
|
National Committee to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Coordinates the implementation of child labor policies, facilitates cooperation among relevant ministries, and reports annually to the Thai Cabinet on child labor issues. Chaired by MOL, with representation from other government agencies, employer and worker associations, and civil society groups. (88) Oversees a subcommittee responsible for monitoring the National Policy and Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor. (40,91) Held a meeting on June 4, 2020. (16) |
|
National and Provincial Committees on Child Protection |
Coordinate with government agencies and private sector representatives to monitor and protect children’s social welfare and safety, including monitoring public and private workplaces for child labor violations. (64) Led by MSDHS with participation from DLPW and the ministries of Education and Public Health. (49) |
|
Fishing Regulatory Units |
The National Policy Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing coordinates anti-trafficking in persons policies and activities and oversees five subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Migrant Workers. Chaired by MOL. (4,40) The Provincial Coordination Center for Sea Fishery Workers (operated jointly by MOL, Marine Police, Provincial Administration, and Fishers' Association) compiles registration records and information on work permits for migrants working on fishing vessels, and works with vessel owners to ensure that undocumented migrant workers are registered. Also monitors and coordinates inspections of working conditions on fishing vessels, provides trainings on labor protection, receives human trafficking complaints, and coordinates with other agencies to provide assistance, remedy, and rehabilitation services for victims. (29,81) The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, which is replacing the CCCIF, oversees government efforts to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking in the fishing industry, including searching, investigating, and arresting vessel operators who are suspected of using illegal labor onboard. The Department of Fisheries operates 32 Port In-Port Out (PIPO) Centers and 19 Forward Inspection Points (FIP), which are located in every coastal province. (29,80,81,89) Carries out inspections in the fishing industry. (89,92) PIPO Centers enforce laws related to fishing and labor, including child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking, through inspections at ports and at sea. PIPO Centers are staffed by officers from the Department of Fisheries, Marine Department, DLPW, Department of Employment, and interpreters. (29,50) |
|
Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons |
Coordinates anti-trafficking activities, including those involving forced child labor, child trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. Monitors 76 Provincial Operation Centers for the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking. (40,81) Acts as the secretariat for both the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Committee and the Coordinating and Monitoring of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Committee. Operates under MSDHS. (5,40) |
The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).
|
Policy |
Description |
|---|---|
|
National Policy and Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor Phase II (2015–2020) |
Sought to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in Thailand in accordance with international labor standards. Focused on (a) preventing the worst forms of child labor, (b) rescuing and protecting children from the worst forms of child labor, (c) developing and enforcing relevant laws, (d) enhancing inter-agency cooperation, and (e) developing management and monitoring systems. (91) In 2020, conducted prevention awareness campaigns for 11,283 parents, guardians, and teachers, and held career training workshops for 22,319 students. (16) |
|
Cyber Tipline Remote Access Policy |
Seeks to combat the online sexual exploitation of children in Thailand by partnering with the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Supports TICAC by permitting the RTP to request warrants to search the residences and electronic equipment of individuals for child pornography and initiate criminal prosecution. (92-95) |
|
National Strategic Plan (2018–2038) |
Aims to improve education access, particularly for vulnerable and poor children in remote areas, by increasing transportation to school, reforming the school subsidy program for poor families, and providing scholarships for children who stay in school. (4,96) In 2020, the government allocated $134 million (THB 4 billion) for anti-human trafficking efforts. (23) Also conducted workshops on curriculum development and monitored and evaluated education programs for children living on the street, and conducted workshops on non-formal primary educational guidelines for non-Thai children (ages 8 to 15). (16) |
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (27,97,98)
In March 2020, the Thai Government announced a Memorandum of Understanding to eliminate child and forced labor between the Ministry of Labor and 13 industry associations identified as high risk for child and forced labor in which employment outside employment relationships occurs. (52)
In 2020, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the adequacy of programs to address child labor in high-risk sectors.
|
Program |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Government Welfare Protection Centers for Victims of Trafficking† |
Operates nine long-term human trafficking shelters that offer medical care, psychosocial services, education, and life skills education. (99,100) In 2020, cared for 48 victims, including foreign children from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, India, and Vietnam. (16) |
|
Migrant Learning Centers† |
NGO and government-operated centers that provide basic education, life skills training, and vocational training to children in migrant communities along Thailand’s borders. (4,50,81) In 2020, the Ministry of Education cooperated with UNICEF to provide government education certificates for children in the Centers to facilitate their continuing education in Thailand or other countries. (16) |
|
Child Advocacy Centers (CAC)† |
Provide child-friendly spaces to conduct social, legal (including forensic interviews), and repatriation services to children who are survivors or vulnerable to human trafficking, including children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. (32,86,103) In 2020, the government opened two new CACs bringing the total of CACs to seven. (32) During the reporting period, also worked with TICAC and OAG to provide 18 awareness-raising talks on online sexual exploitation threats for primary, secondary, and university students, teachers, and executives. (23) Also implemented and provided services to 111 child victims in 35 investigations. (16) |
|
Attaining Lasting Change for Better Enforcement of Labor and Criminal Law to Address Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (ATLAS) |
USDOL-funded project implemented by Winrock International that aims to build the capacity of the national government to more effectively combat child labor by helping to strengthen laws and regulations, improve enforcement capacities, and strengthen coordination between law enforcement and social protection entities. Additional information is available on the USDOL website. (4,16,23,104) |
† Program is funded by the Government of Thailand.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (50,80,91,103,105,106)
The lack of available research and data on the prevalence of child labor in high-risk sectors, such as agriculture, garment manufacturing, domestic work, and construction, makes it difficult for the Government of Thailand to design appropriate programs to address these issues. Migrant children are not eligible for Equal Education Fund distributions—scholarships to support disadvantaged children's access to education—which increases their vulnerability to labor exploitation. (4,50,80) While access to education for migrant children has increased, some Migrant Learning Centers lack accreditation. (4,49,97)
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Thailand (Table 11).
|
Area |
Suggested Action |
Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Framework |
Ensure that the minimum age for work applies to children working outside of employment relationships. |
2017 – 2020 |
|
Ensure that the law criminally prohibits the recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups. |
2016 – 2020 |
|
|
Raise the minimum age for work to the age up to which education is compulsory. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure that the hazardous occupations and activities prohibited for children are comprehensive and include sectors in which child labor is known to occur, including paid participation in Muay Thai, in which there is evidence that children are exposed to physical dangers. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Enforcement |
Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO's technical guidance. |
2015 – 2020 |
|
Collect and publish comprehensive data on the number of investigations conducted, violations found, and convictions for all crimes related to child labor, including the worst forms of child labor. |
2015 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure provincial government and court officials are provided adequate training on human trafficking issues—specifically in cases of male children in commercial sexual exploitation—to afford boys the same protections and victim assistance as girls. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure law enforcement officials report all human trafficking incidences. |
2019 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure labor inspectors are provided training necessary to conduct inspections at remote informal sector workplaces, including in agriculture and domestic work. |
2019 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure engagement with NGOs comprehensively addresses stakeholders, including migrant community NGOs or networks. |
2020 |
|
|
Social Programs |
Improve access to education, especially for ethnic minority and migrant children, including by clarifying to school officials, either under the Ministry of Education or local governments, the necessary documents non-Thai students need to submit for enrollment, raising awareness of migrant children's right to education, and addressing language barriers for non-Thai speaking students, including on public school applications, and ensure Migrant Learning Centers are accredited. Ensure that there are sufficient social programs to assist children from vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQI+ children, who face additional barriers to education that may increase their risk of dropping out of school and engaging in child labor |
2012 – 2020 |
|
Conduct research and data prevalence surveys to ensure that there are sufficient social programs to address child labor in the agriculture, garment manufacturing, domestic work, and construction sectors. |
2016 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure that there are sufficient social programs to assist children from vulnerable groups, such as migrant children, who are at high risk of the worst forms of child labor. |
2016 – 2020 |
- Chandran, Rina. In Thai tourist spots, a hidden world of male sex slavery. Reuters, June 13, 2018.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-trafficking-sexcrimes/in-thai-tourist-spots-a-hidden-world-of-male-sex-slavery-idUSKBN1J91GU - Solomon, Ben C. 'Destroying our children for sport': Thailand may limit underage boxing. The New York Times, December 23, 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/23/world/asia/thailand-children-muay-thai.html - Chetchotiros, Nattaya. One Head Punch Too Many. Bangkok Post, November 18, 2018.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/1577682/one-head-punch-too-many - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. January 16, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. February 24, 2020.
- Olarn, Kocha, et al. Death of 13-year-old fuels debate over Muay Thai kickboxing competitions. CNN, November 15, 2018.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/health/muay-thai-13-year-old-thai-boxer-dies/index.html - Wongcha-um, Panu and Panarat Thepgumpanat. Death of Thai boy inflames debate on Muay Thai's young dreamers. Reuters, November 13, 2018.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-boxing-children/death-of-thai-boy-inflames-debate-on-muay-thais-young-dreamers-idUSKCN1NI1AJ - The Nation. Govt officials seek to lay criminal charges following boy's Muay Thai death. The Nation, November 20, 2018. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30358973
- Bengali, Shashank. Young Thai boxer looks like a lollipop, stings like a bee. The Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2019. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-07-30/thailand-muay-thai-child-boxer
- Cornish, Dean. After the death of a child Muay Thai fighter, Thailand struggles to change. SBS, May 21, 2019.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dateline/after-the-death-of-a-child-muay-thai-fighter-thailand-struggles-to-change - Panyasupakun, Kornrawee. International organisations join fight against child boxing. The Nation, December 5, 2018. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30359905
- Power, Julie and Kate Geraghty. Inside Muay Thai: Where culture and children's well-being collide. The Sydney Morning Herald, November 24, 2018.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/inside-muay-thai-where-culture-and-children-s-well-being-collide-20181123-p50htq.html - Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. Online child sex abuse in Thailand nears record high with coronavirus. Thomson Reuters Foundation, June 18, 2020.
https://news.trust.org/item/20200618161543-qb4ra - The Economist. Despite a tragedy, children continue to compete in Thai boxing bouts. The Economist, January 30, 2020.
https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/01/30/despite-a-tragedy-children-continue-to-compete-in-thai-boxing-bouts?fbclid=IwAR28vQDuDEgBUlHrq4tL… - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. November 15, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. March 2, 2021.
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed: March 3, 2021. For more information, please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report. http://data.uis.unesco.org/
- ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 3 (MICS 3), 2005–2006. Analysis received March 2021. Please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- ILO CEACR. Individual Observation concerning Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Thailand (ratification: 2004). Published: 2021.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID:4021483 - Fernquest, Jon. Education of migrant children: Fighting child labour in Thailand. Bangkok Post, June 14, 2017.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/1268253/education-of-migrant-children-fighting-child-labour-in-thailand - ILO. Ship to Shore Rights: Baseline research findings on fishers and seafood workers in Thailand. 2018.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---sro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_619727.pdf - Human Rights Watch. Hidden Chains: Rights Abuses and Forced Labor in Thailand's Fishing Industry. Human Rights Watch, January 23, 2018.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/01/23/hidden-chains/rights-abuses-and-forced-labor-thailands-fishing-industry - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. February 26, 2021.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. November 29, 2017.
- Arche Advisors. Forced Labor, Child Labor and Land Use in Thailand's Sugar Industry. March 2017.
https://www.coca-colacompany.com/content/dam/journey/us/en/policies/pdf/human-workplace-rights/addressing-global-issues/thailand-forced-labor-child-labor-land-use-report.pdf - ILO. Child labour in the primary production of sugarcane. May 18, 2017.
http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/download.do?type=document&id=29635 - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. January 25, 2018.
- Pocock, Nicola S., et al. Labour Trafficking among Men and Boys in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Exploitation, Violence, Occupational Health Risks and Injuries. PLOS ONE 11(12), December 16, 2016.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0168500 - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. July 9, 2020.
- UNICEF. Building futures in Thailand: Support to children living in construction site camps. 2018.
https://www.unicef.org/thailand/media/586/file - Chandran, Rina. Migrant construction workers' children in Thailand exposed to violence: U.N. Reuters, March 29, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-labour-children/migrant-construction-workers-children-in-thailand-exposed-to-violence-u-n-idUSKBN1H5170
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2020: Thailand. Washington, DC, June 16, 2020.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/thailand/ - Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. Look, don't touch: Thai bars raided for trafficking child 'entertainers'. Thomson Reuters Foundation, September 25, 2019.
https://news.trust.org/item/20190924233530-bqz4c - Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. Record number of trafficking victims in Thailand raises concerns over care. Thomson Reuters Foundation, January 6, 2020.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-trafficking-victims-trfn-idUSKBN1Z51N3 - U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2019: Thailand. Washington, DC, June 24, 2019.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report-2/thailand/ - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Trafficking in persons from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand. August 2017.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific/Publications/2017/Trafficking_in_persons_to_Thailand_report.pdf - Krausz, Tibor. The biggest fight Thailand’s female Muay Thai boxers face is the one against sexism. South China Morning Post, August 1, 2020.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3095199/biggest-fight-thailands-female-muay-thai-boxers-face-one - Thepphajorn, Khanittha. Revamped muay thai rules go back to Cabinet. The Nation, October 19, 2018.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30356766 - South China Morning Post. Teenage girls as dessert: Thai sex scandal exposes grim tradition among local officials. June 25, 2017.
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2099873/teenage-girls-dessert-thai-sex-scandal-exposes-grim - Government of Thailand. Thailand's Progress on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor: 2016. Bangkok, February 10, 2017. Source on file.
- FBI. Report from Thailand, Part 3: It Takes a Village. Washington, DC, October 6, 2016.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/report-from-thailand-part-3 - ILO CEACR. Individual Observation concerning Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182) Thailand (ratification: 2001). Published: 2021.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:4021493:YES - ILO. Ship to shore rights: Endline research findings on fishers and seafood workers in Thailand. March 10, 2020. https://www.ilo.org/asia/publications/WCMS_738042/lang--en/index.htm
- U.S. Department of State. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: An Alarming Trend. June 27, 2017.
https://2017-2021.state.gov/online-sexual-exploitation-of-children-an-alarming-trend/index.html - Petrova, Daniela. A Vacation With a Purpose: Fighting Trafficking in Thailand. New York Times, May 11, 2017.
https://nyti.ms/2q4J3sK - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. May 4, 2018.
- Oxfam International. Supermarket responsibilities for supply chain workers’ rights. June 2018.
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Supermarket_Responsibilities_for_Supply_Chains_Rights_report.pdf - The Asia Foundation and ILO. Migrant and Child Labor in Thailand's Shrimp and Other Seafood Supply Chains: Labor Conditions and the Decision to Study or Work. Bangkok, September 2015.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_402971.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to a USDOL official. July 12, 2019.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. January 29, 2019.
- Thomas, Dexter, and Karen Ye. Children Are Still Fighting Muay Thai – Even After the Death of a Young Boy. Vice News. June 23, 2019. https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5wnky/children-are-still-fighting-muay-thai-even-after-the-death-of-a-young-boy
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 16, 2021.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. March 27, 2018.
- Tyrosvoutis, Greg. Bridges: Participatory action research on the future of migrant education in Thailand. Myanmar, November 2019.
https://helpwithoutfrontiers.or.th/sites/helpwithoutfrontiers.org/files/resources-docs/eng_full_report_bridges.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-Mail communication to USDOL official. March 27, 2020.
- Government of Thailand. Education Ministerial Proclamation on enrollment of non-Thai children. 2019. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Guideline on enrollment of non-Thai children. 2019. Source on file.
- Olivier, Sophie, and Orasa Thurasukarn. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) Youth in Thailand. Save the Children, June 6, 2018.
https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-intersex-and-queer-lgbtiq-youth-thailand-exploratory - Bangkok Post. When School Isn't Safe. January 10, 2016.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/821076/when-school-isn-t-safe - PLoS One Social violence among Thai gender role conforming and non-conforming secondary school students: Types, prevalence and correlates. August 14, 2020.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428170/ - Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. Migrant school closures fuel child labour in Thai seafood industry. Thomson Reuters Foundation, October 6, 2020.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-workers-education-idUSKBN26S03M - Government of Thailand. Labour Protection Act. Enacted: 1998.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/49727/65119/E98THA01.htm - Government of Thailand. Amendment to the Labour Protection Act (No. 5), B.E. 2560. Adopted: January 23, 2017.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=103608&p_count=2&p_classification=01 - Government of Thailand. Child Protection Act. Enacted: 2003.
http://www.refworld.org/docid/46b2f91f2.html - Government of Thailand. Home Workers Protection Act (2010). Accessed July 12, 2019.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/93545/109400/F-1826987314/THA93545 Eng.pdf/ - Government of Thailand. Ministerial Regulation concerning Labour Protection in Sea Fishery Work B.E. 2557. Enacted: 2014. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Ministerial Regulation Identifying Tasks that may be Hazardous to the Health and Safety of Pregnant Women or Children Under the Age of Fifteen Years. Enacted: May 2, 2017.
http://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2560/A/054/4.PDF - Government of Thailand. Penal Code. Enacted: November 13, 1956.
http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw50001.pdf - Government of Thailand. Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Enacted: January 30, 2008.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=100444&p_country=THA&p_count=420&p_classification=03&p_classcount=11 - Government of Thailand. Royal decree Amendment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (2008). 2020.
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/A/045/T_0001.PDF - Government of Thailand. Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking (No. 2) Amendment Act, 2015 [B.E. 2558]. Adopted: January 26, 2017.
http://ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/103609/125956/F868002637/THA103608 Tha.pdf - Government of Thailand. Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act. Enacted: October 14, 1996. Source on file.
- South Asia Law. New Amendments to Thailand's Penal Code. Cited: February 5, 2016.
https://www.southasia-law.com/news/newsdetail?news_id=12 - Government of Thailand. Narcotics Act. Enacted: April 22, 1979.
http://www.asean.org/storage/images/archive/Narcotics Act B.E. 2552 (1979) - Thailand.doc - Government of Thailand. Amendment to the Penal Code No. 25, Amending the Penal Code. Enacted: April 8, 2016. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Control of Begging Act. Enacted: April 26, 2016.
http://law.m-society.go.th/law2016/law/download_by_name/819?filename=594cc68606399.pdf - Government of Thailand. Military Services Act. Enacted: 1954. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. National Education Act. Enacted: 1999. Source on file.
- Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. New law to protect Thai fishermen seen boosting child labour. Thomson Reuters Foundation, September 17, 2020. https://news.trust.org/item/20200917105224-5z42v
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 3, 2020.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. January 29, 2016.
- Government of Thailand. Royal Thai Government’s progress report on anti-human trafficking efforts (1 January–31 March 2019). Bangkok, 2019.
http://www.thaianti-humantraffickingaction.org/Home/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Thailands-Progress-Report-2019-January-March.pdf - Government of Thailand. Report on Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts (1 January–31 December 2018). 2018. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Report on Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts (1 January–31 December 2020). December 2020.
http://www.thaianti-humantraffickingaction.org/Home/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Thailand-country-report-on-anti-trafficking-efforts-2020-FINAL-1-Feb-2020.pdf - Government of Thailand. Press release: 53 Online Child Predator Cases Arrested Nationwide. June 18, 2020.
http://www.thaianti-humantraffickingaction.org/Home/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/TICAC-and-the-Child-Woman-Protection-and-Anti-Human-Trafficking-Center-on-operations-to-clamp-down-online-child-predators-during-the-first-half-of-2020.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. March 8, 2019.
- CIA. The World Factbook. Accessed: March 19, 2018. Please see “Labor Law Enforcement: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/thailand/ - Government of Thailand. National Policy and Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour (2009–2014). Bangkok, 2009. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Thailand National Marine Protection Act. 2020.
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/A/030/T_0001.PDF - Wongsamuth, Nanchanok. Thailand to improve police training to tackle human trafficking nationwide. Thompson Reuters Foundation, July 30, 2020.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-trafficking-police-trfn/thailand-to-improve-police-training-to-tackle-human-trafficking-nationwide-idUSKCN24V00P - Government of Thailand. Labour Protection Bureau. National Policy and Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child labor for fiscal year 2015–2020. Bangkok: Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Ministry of Labour, December 2015. Source on file.
- Government of Thailand. Press Release: Thailand and the U.S. Strengthen Partnership to End Child Sexual Exploitation. March 27, 2017.
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/5d5bd0c015e39c3060021075?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e - Jitcharoenkul, Prangthong, and Kornchanok Raksaseri. US, Thai networks join to find missing, exploited children. Bangkok Post, March 30, 2017.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/us-thai-networks-join-to-find-missing-exploited-children/1223564 - Raksaseri, Kornchanok. Agency protecting kids on net gains foothold. Bangkok Post, November 6, 2017.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/local-news/1355151/agency-protecting-kids-on-net-gains-foothold - Raksaseri, Kornchanok. Trapped in the Web. Bangkok Post, July 23, 2017.
https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20170723/281522226148952 - Government of Thailand. National Strategy 2018–2037. Accessed January 27, 2020.
http://nscr.nesdb.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/National-Strategy-Eng-Final-25-OCT-2019.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. March 8, 2017.
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Kuala Lumpur, November 21, 2015.
http://www.asean.org/storage/2015/12/ACTIP.pdf - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. February 19, 2016.
- U.S. Embassy- Bangkok official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 6, 2016.
- ILO. Fact sheet: Combatting Unacceptable Forms of Work in the Thai Fishing and Seafood Industry. March 17, 2016. http://www.ilo.org/global/meetings-and-events/regional-meetings/asia/aprm-15/media-centre/WCMS_460873/lang--en/index.htm
- ILO. Press Release: New ILO project to combat unacceptable forms of work in the Thai fishing and seafood industry. Bangkok, March 16, 2016.
http://www.ilo.org/asia/info/public/pr/WCMS_460488/lang--en/index.htm - U.S. Embassy- Bangkok. Reporting. February 26, 2018.
- Winrock International. Attaining Lasting Change (ATLAS) (2019–2022). Accessed January 27, 2020.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/attaining-lasting-change-atlas - Chantanusornsiri, Wichit. Millions more welfare cards delivered. Bangkok Post, June 25, 2019.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1701516/millions-more-welfare-cards-delivered - UNODC. Press Release: Unique partnership started to tackle human trafficking to Thailand. Bangkok, January 11, 2016.
http://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/2016/01/human-trafficking-thailand/story.html
your hand? Download ILAB's Sweat & Toil App today!