A TOTAL of 1,807 victims of human trafficking were rescued in Thailand last year, a marked increase from 622 in 2018.
According to the Bangkok Post, the highest figure was 982 victims in 2015.
Police said about 60 per cent of those rescued last year were women and most were trafficked for labour.
“Nearly three-quarters of them were Burmese migrants bound for neighbouring Malaysia.”
Lawyers and activists said the spike in victims uncovered by the authorities could put pressure on the nine government-run shelters that support survivors. They said this put a strain on the budget allocated for victims’ wellbeing and affected the ability of staff members to provide support.
Thailand has ramped up efforts to tackle trafficking in recent years, under scrutiny from the United States and following criticism of its failure to stop trafficking in its multibillion-dollar seafood industry, and the sex trade.
Those identified as trafficking victims can choose to receive help from the government. This includes staying at a shelter and being compensated through a state fund that provides living and rehabilitation expenses in addition to lost wages.
Victims are also entitled to legal aid and job opportunities while awaiting trial to give testimony or being returned home.
Chonticha Tangworamongkon of the Human Rights and Development Foundation said she feared that a growing number of traumatised victims might struggle to receive individualised care.
“When a large group of people enter the shelter, it will be difficult to give them the rights they are entitled to such as healthcare,” she said.
Her organisation provides free legal aid to migrant workers and victims of trafficking.
Activists have questioned whether all those rescued by authorities were trafficked, which involved exploiting people for financial gain, rather than smuggled, which means entering another country illegally and is often consensual.
According to the United Nations, Thailand is home to about 4.9 million migrants, making up 10 per cent of its workforce. Most are from poorer neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, and are vulnerable to trafficking.
Thailand also announced a campaign to identify and tackle child labour in petrol stations, in partnership with the oil and retail unit of PTT Plc, the country’s largest energy firm.
“Gas stations are one of the risk groups as some of those located upcountry still employ child labour in night shifts,” said Labour Minister-Secretariat Lieutenant-General Nanthadet Meksawat.
Thailand is home to about 610,000 modern-day slaves, about one in 113 of its population of 69 million, according to the Global Slavery Index by the rights group Walk Free Foundation.