Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to compile problems and obstacles to preventing and suppressing human trafficking in Thailand and its 18 centers, and propose guidelines for solving the problems concerning the trafficking of children and women. The research employed a qualitative design, and used document analysis, and an in-depth interview as research tools to collect the data. The key informants for the study included 3 administrators and 5 officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as well as 2 staff who were working in private institutions relating to preventing and suppressing human trafficking.
There were six problems that occurred;
1) The national policy and plans relating to human trafficking: it was found that the staff and officials did not understand clearly about the policy and plans regarding human trafficking. Therefore, a study should be conducted to find out the actual problems that occurred in Thailand, and the results of the study can be used for planning the policy, strategies, and measures to suppress and prevent human trafficking in a more effective way.
2) Budget and resources: there was insufficient budget for implementing the work of human trafficking, and an ineffective way of allocating the budget for each activity. The researcher also pointed out the need for improving the data base as a source of budget allocation.
3) Communication system: there was no effective communication system within the organizations from the policy makers at the top to the officers in the lower levels, which caused misunderstanding and inefficient practice in preventing and suppressing human trafficking. Therefore, a follow- up and feedback process is needed to check whether the information from the policy maker was correctly conveyed to the officials in the lower levels. Besides this, the policy should be clearly organized and managed by the information center, which could communicate the policy to different units faster and more effectively. 4) Decentralization: the government should establish a human trafficking center in each province, and assign the provincial officials to have more authority to deal with the problems of human trafficking in each province. 5) Attitudes of the officials: Some officials neglected this problem, while others received benefits from human trafficking. Therefore, there should be a training for these personnel to understand human trafficking. Rewards should be given to motivate officers, while punishments should be strictly applied to corrupt officers. 6) Socio economic environment of the country: there were many factors which caused more problems about human trafficking in Thailand including geographical features, unrest in neighboring countries, and the good economy of Thailand. Therefore, cooperation among countries in this region should be encouraged. Social issues should be raised for discussion during international meetings. The Internal Security Operations Command of the country should participate in solving this problem also. Suggestions for policy makers: sufficient budget should be allocated to solve the problem of human trafficking in Thailand. Every related institution should propose its budget to the The National Anti-Corruption Commission which was chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand. There should be a center for networking the information about human trafficking at the national and regional level. Suggestions for operators: continue to empower and train the officers with knowledge and skills in dealing with human trafficking problems, and motivate them by providing them with growth in a career path and training. Apart from this, there should be a follow- up process to check if the implementation of preventing and suppressing human trafficking was conducted based on the policy and plans. This could help to modify and improve the plan more effectively.