(Information Source: Bangkok Post, on Thu Oct 2, 2025)

Thailand has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the United States' 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking the fourth consecutive year the country has been in this category, says the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Kantapong Rangsisawang, the ministry's permanent secretary, said yesterday the US Department of State released its latest report on Monday, evaluating anti-trafficking efforts in 188 countries and territories. He said Thailand's ranking reflected significant progress achieved through collaboration between government agencies and civil society.

Key improvements included an increase in trafficking investigations, prosecutions, and convictions, stronger collaboration with foreign governments to repatriate victims, and the creation of an integrated facility for victim identification and referral.

The government consolidated two screening forms and updated guidance to include indicators of forced criminality and forced child labour, ensuring more consistent victim identification across agencies, he said.

However, the TIP Report said Thailand still falls short of minimum international standards in several areas. Inconsistent interviewing practices during labour inspections and victim assessments left many victims unidentified and without support, particularly those coerced into forced labour or criminal activity.

Legal requirements obliging most foreign victims to remain in shelters throughout court proceedings deterred reporting and participation as witnesses.

Service provision remained uneven, especially in rural provinces, and quality varied across the country. Corruption and official complicity, particularly along border regions, continued to impede anti-trafficking efforts.

The US report said that while Thailand demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, critical gaps persist. Eleven recommendations were provided, many continuing from the 2024 report, including strengthening victim identification, improving protection services, and addressing corruption. Mr Kantapong said Thailand is implementing policies aligned with these recommendations.