On 21 June 2012, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul gave a press briefing regarding Thailand’s status in the US’ Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report remaining unchanged for the year 2012. Gist as follows:
1. On 29 March 2012, the Foreign Minister sent a letter to Ms. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, to inform her on Thailand’s measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking in persons during 2012 and to request that Thailand’s case receive favourable consideration. Attached to the letter was Thailand’s plan of action to counter trafficking in persons for 2012 — 2013, which is the first time that this information was brought to the attention of Ms. Clinton directly.
2. During the Foreign Minister’s visit to the US to attend the 4th Thai — US Strategic Dialogue held between 11 — 14 June 2012 in Washington D.C., the Foreign Minister again raised the issue of Thailand’s designation for the TIP report with Ms. Clinton. He explained that Thailand places utmost importance to the prevention and combating of trafficking in persons and gave his assurance that Thailand would implement the said plan of action. The US side expressed its satisfaction with Thailand’s determination. Subsequently, Thailand’s designation as a Tier 2 Watch List country remained unchanged in the TIP Report 2012.
3. As for the next steps to be taken by Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would work with the relevant Thai agencies to ensure that Thailand’s designation would improve in the TIP Report for the year 2013.
4. On the question regarding the situation in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Surapong stated that as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations for the next three years, Thailand would do its best to coordinate with the relevant parties within the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and on the principle that the parties to the dispute should resolve the issue peacefully through bilateral dialogue.
5. On the question regarding Thailand’s position on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), Foreign Minister Surapong stated that at present nine countries have joined the TPP negotiations out of which four are ASEAN Member Countries. Thailand should carefully consider what course of action would be in its best interests having regard also to the fact that the TPP allows for exceptions to be made.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th