Anti-human trafficking centres set up in 37 Thai provinces

BANGKOK, February 23 (TNA) - The government, through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, has opened anti-human trafficking centres in 37 Thai provinces to particularly protect women and child victims. Social Development and Human Security Minister Police General Adul Saengsingkaew told journalists in Bangkok on Monday, after holding a meeting on policies against human trafficking issues, that he has ordered governors of the 37 provinces, including Nong Khai and Chon Buri, to open such the provincial centres since February 9, as the provinces are adjacent to border areas and house several entertainment venues being at risk of human trafficking-related problems, namely illegal entry of migrant workers from neighbouring countries. Police General Adul said the the provincial centres are tasked with implementing his ministry’s operational plans and urgent measures to prevent and address trafficking of women and children, covering identifying all victims, strictly enforcing relevant laws against suspected traffickers and protecting victims and seeking mutual understanding with local business operators against pornographic media and sex tours, while enlisting registered female interpreters and investigators to facilitate and probe alleged trafficking cases. According to the minister, the centres have the provincial governors as their heads and provincial social development and human security chiefs as their secretaries and each the provincial centre is required to report its operations to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha monthly. In serious cases, the minister stressed, the provincial governors are to closely command and integrate operational steps among parties concerned themselves, namely local police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). (TNA)