New minister gives priority to anti-human trafficking in Thailand

BANGKOK, September 22 (TNA) - Social Development and Human Security Minister Police General Adul Sangsingkeo has set solutions to alleged human trafficking in Thailand as his first priority, as he expects to see their progress within six months. Police General Adul laid down his priorities, including solutions to alleged human trafficking, and other policies to his ministry's officials on Monday. Police General Adul, who is also a deputy chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and a former national police chief, stressed that his first priority is to tackle alleged human trafficking, as well as the use of child labour and forced labour and prostitution in Thailand. Police General Adul acknowledged his ministry needs to join forces with other concerned agencies to remove Thailand from the United States’ human trafficking watch list at the lowest Tier 3 level. According to the minister, his other priorities include lifelong human development, preparations for Thailand's quality aging society, promotion and development of quality of life of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the underprivileged and ethnic groups, residential improvement for slum dwellers and low-income earners and preparations for the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by the end of 2015. Besides, the minister said, there need to be action plans and evaluation for the priority tasks, which should be driven forward through special work stations where directors-general will have comprehensive information to facilitate their decisions. The minister suggested that a national committee is needed to speed up the implementation of his policies, progress of which is targeted within six months, calling on the civil sector to also assist the implementation of his policies. (TNA)