Global heat moulds military brass

Despite the nationalist pride exercised by its leaders, Thailand can at times benefit greatly from the advice of the United Nations, United States and European Union, as well as foreign-based non-governmental organisations, as it resumes its journey towards full democracy.

The latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report from the US State Department, released on Thursday, is likely to have an impact here in terms of curbing modern-day slavery. Washington has upgraded Thailand’s status from Tier 3, the lowest rung on the Watch List, to Tier 2, reflecting the progress the military government has made in resolving the problem of trading in people. Thailand had been left fuming at Tier 3 for the previous two years, even as neighbouring Malaysia rose in the ranking. 

Such classifications have no direct effect on any country’s trade or economy, but they can severely damage reputations. The junta was stung when Washington left Thailand lingering at Tier 3 in 2014, the year of its coup. The relegation first occurred in 2010, when ostensibly Buddhist security officials here treated Muslim Rohingya boat people with cruel and inhuman disdain. 

Having crossed the sea in search of better lives in Southeast Asia, on voyages organised by price-gouging traffickers, the refugees were repeatedly spurned. On at least one occasion the Navy towed a boatload of them back out beyond our territorial waters and cast them adrift once more. 

The Navy then made matters worse by filing defamation charges against a pair of journalists from the online newspaper Phuketwan who had quoted an unnamed source as saying Navy chiefs turned a blind eye to the smuggling of people. That report went international, only for the case to be eventually thrown out of court. The authors of the annual TIP Watch List were carefully watching events unfold the whole time.

The 2014 list forced the Thai junta to give high priority to slowing or stopping the trafficking in humans. Hardly enamoured of Washington, the generals and admirals nevertheless knew they had to bite the bullet for the sake of global public opinion and the financial aid that depends on it. The 2015 budget for anti-trafficking efforts jumped by nearly 70 per cent over the previous year. Senior officials, including high-ranking military and police officers, were prosecuted forcomplicity in abuses committed against the Rohingya. 

The case against Phuketwan was abandoned in the interest of improving the Kingdom’s standing. 

While warning that the government “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking”, the 2016 TIP report acknowledges that Thailand is “making significant efforts”. 

An eight-year-old anti-trafficking law was amended, along with other legislation on forced labour in the fishery and seafood-processing industries, it noted. Criminal and civil penalties were increased and authorities were mandated to close businesses relying on forced labour. Whistleblowers were afforded legal protection. In 2015 there were more investigations, convictions and victims identified. 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversaw the revamping of the government’s stance, are now witnessing the benefits such actions can bring. 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai last week expressed confidence that a good assessment can also be expected from the European Union regarding illegal-fishing issues here and hailed a “zero tolerance” policy on trafficking. Hopefully he’s right about the EU, which can impose economic sanctions if it remains unsatisfied.

Meanwhile, even as the junta yields to foreign pressure on trafficking and labour issues, it remains immovable regarding fundamental rights. Thailand’s reputation took another severe blow in May when the United Nations Human Rights Council urged it to allow full freedom of expression and stop dragging civilians into military courts. Yet the government hasn’t made the slightest change in course. 

The UN is in no position to pose an economic threat to the country, but it should consider ramping up the pressure in other ways to get Thailand moving on this last and even more crucial area of reform.