PM pleased with Thailand's improved status

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is pleased with Thailand's improved status to Tier 2 watch list in the US government's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2016, from the Tier 3 lowest category ranked in mid-2014, vowing that his government will carry out solutions to human trafficking issues to sustain national interest in the long run. Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists on Friday that the prime minister has expressed his satisfaction with Thailand's upgraded position in this year's TIP Report, officially released by the US State Department on June 30, as it shows that Washington has seen Bangkok's strong commitment and efforts to resolve human trafficking issues. The spokesman stated that the Thai premier also expressed his appreciation to all concerned parties involving in the country's improved status. "The prime minister asked me to thank all the concerned parties, including government officers, private business operators, fishermen and mass media, for their full cooperation and contribution in their jurisdiction to jointly upgrade the Thai fishery industry, in which human trafficking is involved, to be better in line with international standard and recognition", said the spokesman. According to the spokesman, the Thai prime minister also encouraged all the concerned parties to be patient and boost morale to each other while carrying on their cooperation in resolving human trafficking issues although it takes times to achieve the end-goal. The spokesman pointed out that Thailand's upgraded position to the Tier 2 category in Washington's TIP Report 2016 is a proof of all the concerned parties' collaboration, especially private business operators in the local fishery sector and fishermen, to work together for societal benefits. The spokesman insisted on the Thai government's strong determination to seriously eliminate human trafficking issues in the country and to sustain Thai fishery businesses and balanced natural resources in the long run. (TNA)